For 1/3/09: The dynamics have shifted a little in our favor on this system with the northern flow slipping around to the south and tapping a much warmer air mass than initially expected. This won’t necessarily improve our outlook for snow accumulation with estimates holding in the 5-7” range but it does make for some significantly more comfortable conditions. Look for snow throughout the day with some gusting winds as the systems start to shift again into tonight.

The inversion has mixed clear of the area with Crested Butte reporting an overnight low of 24 degrees and Gunnison holding right in check bottoming out at 23 degrees this morning. We won’t see much movement in today’s temperatures since we are starting so high with temperatures expected to top out right around the 30 degree mark valley wide. Look for a colder overnight low tonight as we enter a gap between systems that will allow a little clearing but it will still feel warm compared to what we saw last week.

Snow will continue for us in varied degrees through the beginning of next week but this is the most organized system. Another wave for Monday is building potential but we’ll have to see how it develops through the next 24 hours for any real estimate on it’s potential production. Layer up as you head out today, we will definitely see a mixed bag of conditions.

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