For 12/19/08: We have seen a fundamental shift in the pattern with the looping low pressure trough that drew the moisture in from the south up against a backstop of cold air on the divide cycling clear to the east. We are now moving into a more zonal pattern for the weekend that will mean more snow but different dynamics.

Clear skies overnight opened us up to some significant cooling with Crested Butte reporting a low of 2 degrees in town while Gunnison dropped to -4 degrees. We will see at least partly sunny skies early allowing the daytime highs to rise into the mid and low 20’s valley wide but we are headed for some much colder temperatures by Saturday. Look or overnight lows to drip to the negative single digits with daytime highs topping out in the teens. The real killer will be the wind as this next system for Saturday moves in and out of the area. We could see dangerously low windchill values that you will need to be prepared for as you head out.

The pattern is a lot less organized as we head into this weekend and a mixture of a less favorable trajectory and wind could keep us out of the heavy snow. Look for our best chance coming from Friday night through Saturday with a few inches likely before it clears into Sunday. Be prepared for the cold and plan accordingly.

Look for a complete Crested Butte and Gunnison weather report, 24 hour trends and real time weather information now available at WWW.CBTV.TV.