A moderately strong atmospheric river coming in from the west in conjunction with a low pressure system dropping southward out of the Pacific Northwest tracked along a strong northwest to southeast oriented jet. This led to significant snowfall across all mountain ranges of western Colorado with lesser amounts across the La Sals in southeast Utah.
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The episode as NWS GJT wrote it up.
A moderately strong atmospheric river coming in from the west in conjunction with a low pressure system dropping southward out of the Pacific Northwest tracked along a strong northwest to southeast oriented jet. This led to significant snowfall across all mountain ranges of western Colorado with lesser amounts across the La Sals in southeast Utah. Some lower northwest and west-central higher valleys even saw moderate snowfall. Strong winds in the higher elevations continued to bring blowing and drifting snow as well as whiteout conditions and road closures to most mountain passes. A strong arctic front dropped in from the north late in the storms period, leading to some of the whiteout concerns and bringing continued snow in the Uncompahgre Gorge and north facing slopes. Snowfall was limited in the lower valleys due to cold arctic air being scoured out from the winds leading up to this system.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Generally 7 to 9 inches of snow fell over the La Sal Mountains. Gusts generally stayed in the 20s and 30s.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Utah in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Utah, January 2024
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: 1162108.