For 12/17/08: This pattern is continuing to hold with that low pressure trough starting to draw subtropical moisture up into our area that will continue to fuel the western snow machine. We can expect snow continue at the current rate through today with the added benefit of additional dynamics as the cold front from the north rubs up against a subtropical flow feeding squally snow showers that will offer bursts of very heavy snow. Batten down the hatches, it doesn’t look like this is going to stop for a few more days yet.

Temperature will be a good indicator of the phases of the pattern with another day today like yesterday after overnight lows of 13 in Crested Butte and 15 in Gunnison rebounding to the low 20’s for today. A cold front finally making it over the divide through Thursday will offer a burst of colder temperatures and feed more snow fall with overnight lows dropping to the single digits and below for the next few days.

The interaction of the cold to the north and warm to the south is a big part of the snow we are seeing and once that starts to break down we will be headed for some changes. It looks like changes will mean more snow into the weekend but from a different pattern and direction.

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