A closed low pressure system lifted across western Colorado and brought with it an abundance of Pacific moisture as well as colder temperatures. Snow levels, high at the onset of the event, dropped down to around 6000 feet before this system exited the region.
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 closed low pressure system lifted across western Colorado and brought with it an abundance of Pacific moisture as well as colder temperatures. Snow levels, high at the onset of the event, dropped down to around 6000 feet before this system exited the region. Moderate, wet snow fell across most mountain areas as winds gusted up to 40 mph at times.
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 Oct 12, 2:08 AM MST, 52 minutes earlier.
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</html>Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 315 AM MDT Tue Oct 12 2021 COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-130915- 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- 315 AM MDT Tue Oct 12 2021 This hazardous weather outlook is for eastern Utah and western Colorado. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Widespread valley rain and mountain snow is expected today as a system moves through the area. The higher snowfall totals are expected mainly above 9000 feet for most ranges. Strong winds and a few thunderstorms are also possible today. With a cooler air mass in place tonight sub-freezing temperatures are forecasted for the higher valleys. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday Another storm moves through the area on Thursday bringing additional snowfall to the mountains. It will bring an even colder air mass into the region causing more widespread sub- freezing temperatures on Friday and Saturday mornings. Conditions will be dry by next weekend. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
5 winter weather, 1 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
An average of 7 inches of snow fell across the area. Winds gusted up to 35 mph at times.
An average of 3 to 9 inches of snow fell at some SNOTEL sites with up to 12 inches estimated at the Stump Lakes SNOTEL site. CoCoRaHS observers measured 9 inches in the towns of Rockwood and Silverton. Winds gusted up to 40 mph at times.
Generally 7 to 10 inches of snow fell at the higher elevations with 2 to 5 inches of snow reported around Cedaredge.
Generally 2 to 5 inches of snow fell across the area.
Generally 4 to 5 inches of snow fell across the area. Winds gusted up to 30 mph at times.
Generally 5 to 13 inches of snow fell across the area. Winds gusted up to 35 mph at times.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, October 2021
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: 979712, 979713, 979709, 979710, 979711, 979708.