Colorado, 2018Winter Weather in Colorado, March 22 to 23, 2018
March 22 to 23, 2018 · NWS GJT · 6 events in 6 counties and zones
A Pacific trough and associated cold front moved through western Colorado and brought significant snowfall to the northern and central mountains, as well as the southwest San Juan Mountains. Mild conditions ahead of the front kept snow levels high with the bulk of accumulations above 9,500 feet.
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.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
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- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 6
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.
A Pacific trough and associated cold front moved through western Colorado and brought significant snowfall to the northern and central mountains, as well as the southwest San Juan Mountains. Mild conditions ahead of the front kept snow levels high with the bulk of accumulations above 9,500 feet.
Winter Weather, West Elk and Sawatch Mountains
- When
- March 22, 8:00 PM MST to March 23, 1:00 PM MST
- Where
- West Elk and Sawatch Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 38.643, -107.721 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Snowfall totals generally ranged from 5 to 8 inches across the area. Locally higher amounts included 10 inches at Irwin Ski Lodge.
Winter Weather, Southwestern San Juan Mountains
- When
- March 22, 10:00 PM MST to March 23, 12:00 PM MST
- Where
- Southwestern San Juan Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- Department of Highways
- Coordinates
- 37.594, -107.912 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Measured snowfall totals ranged from 5 to 10 inches across the area.
Winter Weather, Elkhead and Park Mountains
- When
- March 23, 3:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
- Where
- Elkhead and Park Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 40.552, -107.599 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Measured snowfall totals generally ranged from 4 to 8 inches across the area.
Winter Weather, Grand and Battlement Mesas
- When
- March 23, 4:00 AM MST to 2:00 PM MST
- Where
- Grand and Battlement Mesas forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 39.159, -108.078 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Measured snowfall totals generally ranged from 6 to 8 inches above 9,500 feet.
Winter Weather, Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys
- When
- March 23, 6:00 AM MST to 7:00 PM MST
- Where
- Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 39.481, -107.172 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Snowfall totals generally ranged from 3 to 5 inches across the area. Interstate 70 became slick and snow-packed. Vail Pass was closed on two occasions during this snowfall event due to numerous vehicle accidents.
Winter Weather, Flattop Mountains
- When
- March 23, 6:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
- Where
- Flattop Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- SNOTEL
- Coordinates
- 40.062, -107.603 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Measured snowfall totals ranged from 7 to 10 inches above 9,500 feet.
- Winter Weather
- Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Wildfire in Florida, March 22, 2018$20,000 · 1 event
- Flood and Heavy Snow in California, March 22 to 25, 201815 events
- Flash Flood and Heavy Rain in Hawaii, March 22 to 26, 201811 events
- High Wind in Wyoming, March 22 to 23, 201867 kt wind · 7 events
- Flooding and High Wind in California, March 22, 201863 kt wind · 5 events
- Frost and Freeze in Tennessee, March 22, 20183 events
- Wildfire in Oklahoma, March 22 to 23, 20183 events
- High Wind in Utah, March 22, 2018$10,000 · 69 kt wind · 3 events
- Flash Flooding in California, March 22 to 23, 20182 events
- High Wind in Alaska, March 22, 201879 kt wind · 1 event
- Wildfire in Oklahoma, March 22, 20181 event
- High Wind in Nevada, March 22, 201855 kt wind · 1 event
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: 736216, 736218, 736213, 736214, 736215, 736217.