A shortwave trough quickly pushed across western Colorado under the influence of very strong winds aloft. Snow showers favored the northern and central Colorado mountains but an embedded band of moderate snowfall set up over the Interstate 70 corridor which resulted hazardous driving conditions.
Every event with a place to put it; 6 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 quickly pushed across western Colorado under the influence of very strong winds aloft. Snow showers favored the northern and central Colorado mountains but an embedded band of moderate snowfall set up over the Interstate 70 corridor which resulted hazardous driving conditions.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Grand Junction, CO wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 23, 5:59 PM MST, 4 hours 1 minute earlier.
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</html>The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
6 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Generally 4 to 8 inches of snow fell across the area.
Generally 4 to 8 inches of snow fell across the area with a locally higher amount of 12 inches measured at Irwin Ski Lodge.
Generally 2 to 5 inches of snow fell across the area. Locally higher amounts up to 7 inches were measured in Glenwood Canyon. Holiday travel was significantly impacted along Interstate 70 due to the slippery roads which resulted in numerous vehicle accidents. Westbound traffic on I-70 was closed at the Dotsero exit for almost an hour due to adverse weather conditions. Eastbound traffic on I-70 was also closed in Glenwood Canyon for about two hours due to multiple crashes.
Generally 2 to 5 inches of snow fell across the area. A number of vehicle accidents occurred on Interstate 70 due to very slick roads.
Generally 4 to 8 inches of snow fell across the area.
Generally 4 to 7 inches of snow fell across the area.
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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 790629, 790628, 790630, 790631, 790626, 790627.