For 1/6/09: The dynamics of this latest round have not really shaped up for us with the brunt of this moisture staying to our north and the other side of the divide. This will keep us on the windier fringe through Wednesday with snow showers likely over the higher terrain but no real organized moisture producing any significant accumulations. This should keep temperatures warmer than expected with the winds keeping the real stubborn inversion from forming over the lower valleys.

This morning we saw some evidence of the inversion setting up with Crested Butte reporting a balmy low of 13 degrees while Gunnison dropped to 0 degrees. We will see these numbers evening out a bit through the next couple days but expect the lower valleys to be at least a degree or two lower then the higher elevations. Daytime highs will migrate from the expected high teens to the 20’s thanks to the change in trajectory of the associated cold front so we will be relatively comfortable if not knee deep through this system.

With the sweet spot if this wave holding to the north, the most active areas will be the divide and higher terrain with squally waves likely making it a bit further south. These will produce some bursts of accumulation and challenging travel conditions so 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.