Colorado, 2023

Winter Weather in Colorado, March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023 · NWS GJT · 2 events in 2 counties and zones

The second in a series of Pacific disturbances progressed across northwest Colorado. Stronger snow bands and subsequent snow squalls associated with the system developed across the northern valleys, with visibilities dropping to less than one quarter of a mile in heavy snow and strong winds across portions of the Lower and Central Yampa River Basins.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
2

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS GJT wrote it up.

The second in a series of Pacific disturbances progressed across northwest Colorado. Stronger snow bands and subsequent snow squalls associated with the system developed across the northern valleys, with visibilities dropping to less than one quarter of a mile in heavy snow and strong winds across portions of the Lower and Central Yampa River Basins.

What forecasters said that day

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 22, 3:22 PM MST, 33 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 22, 3:22 PM MST, 33 minutes before
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Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 22, 3:16 AM MST, 12 hours 39 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
416 AM MDT Wed Mar 22 2023

COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-231030-
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-
416 AM MDT Wed Mar 22 2023

This hazardous weather outlook is for eastern Utah and western
Colorado.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

A strong storm system will bring widespread precipitation to
eastern Utah and western Colorado today. Rain will favor the lower
elevations and moderate to heavy snow will favor the mountains.
Strong gusty winds will accompany the snow, leading to significant
blowing and drifting and severe impacts to travel. Numerous winter
highlights are in effect through midnight tonight. Showers will
taper off from west to east later this afternoon and evening,
lingering along the Continental Divide overnight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

Unsettled weather will continue through the end of the week, into
the weekend, and possibly even into early next week as lingering
moisture and a series of disturbances move though the region. Snow
will favor the mountains with minor accumulations possible each
day. Temperatures will continue to be well below seasonal norms.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Mar 22, 2:54 PM MST, 1 hour 1 minute before
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Local storm report, Mar 22, 2:59 PM MST, 56 minutes before
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Local storm report, Mar 22, 3:29 PM MST, 26 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Mar 22, 3:41 PM MST, 14 minutes before
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Local storm report, Mar 22, 3:50 PM MST, 5 minutes before
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Local storm report, Mar 22, 3:52 PM MST, 3 minutes before
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The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Weather, Central Yampa River Basin

When
March 22, 3:55 PM MST to 4:25 PM MST
Where
Central Yampa River Basin forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
40.361, -107.805 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A snow squall impacted the Craig area, reducing visibilities to less than one quarter of a mile for around 20 minutes as it moved through. The Craig-Moffat County Airport reported wind gusts up to 52 mph with the squall.

Winter Weather, Lower Yampa River Basin

When
March 22, 4:35 PM MST to 4:55 PM MST
Where
Lower Yampa River Basin forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
40.066, -108.109 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A snow squall impacted the Rangely area, reducing visibilities to less than one quarter of a mile for around 20 minutes as it moved through. The Rangely Airport reported wind gusts up to 38 mph with the squall.

What these are

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.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Colorado in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, March 2023

Sources

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: 1078168, 1078170.