Colorado, 2024Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Colorado, January 17 to 18, 2024
January 17 to 18, 2024 · NWS GJT · 7 events in 7 counties and zones
A low pressure trough moved from the Pacific Northwest across northwest Colorado, along with remnants of an atmospheric river and produced heavy snowfall for mainly the northern and central Colorado mountains and moderate snow for the higher northern and central valleys.
Every event with a place to put it; 7 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
- 7
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 low pressure trough moved from the Pacific Northwest across northwest Colorado, along with remnants of an atmospheric river and produced heavy snowfall for mainly the northern and central Colorado mountains and moderate snow for the higher northern and central valleys.
Event by event
4 winter weather, 2 winter storm, 1 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
Winter Weather, West Elk and Sawatch Mountains
- When
- January 17, 3:00 AM MST to January 18, 12:00 PM MST
- Where
- West Elk and Sawatch Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- CoCoRaHS
- Coordinates
- 38.643, -107.721 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Generally 6 to 12 inches of snow fell across the area with 10.5 inches at Crested Butte 6.2 N. Winds gusted in the 50s for elevations above 12,000 feet with a peak gust of 68 mph at Irwin Ski Area.
Winter Storm, Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys
- When
- January 17, 5:00 AM MST to January 18, 1:00 PM MST
- Where
- Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys forecast zone
- Reported by
- CoCoRaHS
- Coordinates
- 39.481, -107.172 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Generally 10 to 15 inches of snow fell across the area with 8 to 12 inches near the town of Vail, including 12 inches at Vail 2.1 ENE. Winds gusted above 45 mph at elevations above 11,000 feet including Snowmass, Vail and Aspen ski areas.
Heavy Snow, Flattop Mountains
- When
- January 17, 5:00 AM MST to January 18, 1:00 PM MST
- Where
- Flattop Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- SNOTEL
- Coordinates
- 40.062, -107.603 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Generally 10 to 20 inches of snow fell across the area.
Winter Weather, Central Yampa River Basin
- When
- January 17, 6:00 AM MST to January 18, 10:38 AM MST
- Where
- Central Yampa River Basin forecast zone
- Reported by
- CoCoRaHS
- Coordinates
- 40.361, -107.805 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Generally 7 to 9 inches of snow fell across the eastern side of the area near Hayden with 1 to 4 inches on the western side. Winds gusted in the 30 to 40 mph range at various sites throughout the event.
Winter Storm, Elkhead and Park Mountains
- When
- January 17, 6:00 AM MST to January 18, 2:00 PM MST
- Where
- Elkhead and Park Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- SNOTEL
- Coordinates
- 40.552, -107.599 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Generally 10 to 24 inches of snow fell across the area with locally higher amount of 37.5 inches at Tower. Winds gusted 45 to 55 mph at Storm Peak Lab.
Winter Weather, Upper Yampa River Basin
- When
- January 17, 6:35 AM MST to January 18, 5:35 AM MST
- Where
- Upper Yampa River Basin forecast zone
- Reported by
- CoCoRaHS
- Coordinates
- 40.485, -106.991 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Generally 7 to 13 inches of snow fell across the area with 13 inches at Steamboat Springs 1.9 E.
Winter Weather, Central Colorado River Basin
- When
- January 17, 7:30 AM MST to January 18, 5:14 AM MST
- Where
- Central Colorado River Basin forecast zone
- Reported by
- CoCoRaHS
- Coordinates
- 39.481, -107.172 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Generally 3 to 6 inches of snow fell across the area with higher amounts of 6 to 7 inches on the western side of the zone near Glenwood Springs.
- Winter Weather
- Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
- Winter Storm
- A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
- Heavy Snow
- Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Ice Storm and Heavy Snow in Washington, January 17 to 19, 202414 events
- High Surf in Hawaii, January 17 to 18, 202412 events
- Winter Storm and High Wind in Colorado, January 17 to 19, 202470 kt wind · 11 events
- Winter Storm and High Wind in Wyoming, January 17 to 18, 202465 kt wind · 9 events
- Winter Storm and Avalanche in Idaho, January 17 to 18, 20249 events
- High Wind in New Mexico, January 17 to 18, 202458 kt wind · 5 events
- High Wind in Wyoming, January 17 to 18, 202466 kt wind · 5 events
- Heavy Snow in Idaho, January 17 to 18, 20243 events
- High Wind in California, January 17, 202465 kt wind · 3 events
- Dense Fog in California, January 17, 20243 events
- High Wind in Texas, January 17 to 18, 202465 kt wind · 3 events
- Heavy Snow in Oregon, January 17 to 18, 20242 events
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: 1162106, 1162105, 1162107, 1162101, 1162102, 1162103, 1162104.