A large Pacific storm system and associated cold front brought significant snowfall to the higher elevations across western Colorado. Some snow bands developed which produced locally heavy snow amounts.
Every event with a place to put it; 8 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 large Pacific storm system and associated cold front brought significant snowfall to the higher elevations across western Colorado. Some snow bands developed which produced locally heavy snow amounts.
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 Mar 17, 4:44 PM MST, 1 hour 16 minutes earlier.
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</html>Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service GRAND JUNCTION CO 549 AM MDT Sat Mar 17 2018 COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-181200- Lower Yampa River Basin-Central Yampa River Basin- Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus-Elkhead and Park Mountains- Upper Yampa River Basin-Grand Valley-Debeque to Silt Corridor- Central Colorado River Basin-Grand and Battlement Mesas- Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys- Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin- West Elk and Sawatch Mountains-Flat Tops- Upper Gunnison River Valley-Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide- Northwest San Juan Mountains-Southwest San Juan Mountains- Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River- Four Corners/Upper Dolores River-Animas River Basin- San Juan River Basin-Southeast Utah-Eastern Uinta Mountains- Eastern Uinta Basin-Tavaputs Plateau-Arches/Grand Flat- La Sal and Abajo Mountains-Canyonlands/Natural Bridges- 549 AM MDT Sat Mar 17 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for eastern Utah and western Colorado. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Breezy and mild conditions will occur this afternoon ahead of the next approaching storm system that will bring rain and snow to eastern Utah this evening, spreading into western Colorado overnight. Snow is expected to start in the mountains of northeast Utah this afternoon, spreading into southeast Utah and western Colorado mountains tonight. The lower valleys of eastern Utah will see rain, changing over to and mixing in with snow this evening and overnight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Widespread showers will occur Sunday morning through Sunday evening, with about 5 to 10 inches of snow expected in the mountains. The lower valleys will see a mix of rain and snow throughout the day with some valleys picking up a couple inches of snowfall through Sunday evening. Snow levels will lower to some valley floors as the front moves through on Sunday afternoon. Precipitation will come to an end from west to east Sunday night into Monday morning, with the mountains of western Colorado seeing lingering snowfall through Monday morning. Monday through Wednesday looks drier overall as high pressure moves in by mid-week. Temperatures will warm back to near to above normal as this occurs. Potential exists for more unsettled weather for the latter half of the week as another storm system moves into the area. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
8 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Measured snowfall totals generally ranged from 5 to 10 inches across the area. Locally higher amounts included 14 inches at the Lone Cone SNOTEL site.
Measured snowfall totals generally ranged from 4 to 7 inches across the area.
Measured snowfall totals ranged from 4 to 8 inches across the area.
Measured snowfall totals generally ranged from 4 to 8 inches across the area.
Measured snowfall totals generally ranged from 5 to 11 inches across the area.
Measured snowfall totals generally ranged from 4 to 8 inches across the area. Locally higher amounts included 11 inches at the Park Reservoir SNOTEL site.
Measured snowfall totals generally ranged from 4 to 8 inches across the area.
Generally 4 to 8 inches of snow were measured across the area. Locally higher amounts included 11 inches at the McCoy Park SNOTEL site. Interstate 70 became slick and snowpacked. Vail Pass was closed for a period of time due to numerous vehicle accidents.
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, March 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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 736015, 736013, 736009, 736012, 736016, 736010, 736014, 736011.