A shortwave trough and associated cold front pushed across western Colorado and produced moderate snowfall across some mountain areas. Gusty winds accompanied the front which led to some areas of reduced visibility in blowing snow.
Every event with a place to put it; 3 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS GJT wrote it up.
A shortwave trough and associated cold front pushed across western Colorado and produced moderate snowfall across some mountain areas. Gusty winds accompanied the front which led to some areas of reduced visibility in blowing snow.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
3 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Generally 5 to 11 inches of snow fell across the area. Wind gusts ranged from 20 to 40 MPH with areas of blowing and drifting snow.
The area received 4 to 8 inches of new snow. Locally higher amounts included 11 inches at a location 10.5 miles north-northwest of Cedaredge. Winds gusted up to 25 MPH which produced some blowing and drifting snow in exposed locations.
Generally 5 to 10 inches of snow fell across the area. Winds gusted from 15 to 30 MPH which produced blowing and drifting snow in exposed locations. Highway 40 over Rabbit Ears Pass was closed for a while.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, December 2018
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 790364, 790365, 790363.