For 2/18/09: High winds kept this system moving quickly yesterday but the heavy squally snow showers dropped a good amount of snow on us with the resort reporting 9” new at the top. The saving move was the flow switching back around to the northwest and pushing all the moisture holding too far to the north down into our area. As a result we are still seeing good snow production this morning with regional radar showing a favorable stream continuing to push in our direction.

Temperatures stayed mild overnight with the heavy cloud cover and snow with Gunnison reporting a low of 18 degrees while Crested Butte was a degree colder at 17. We will see another daytime high climbing to the high 20’s valley wide but the continued gusting winds will make for some colder windchill values. Skies will start to clear this afternoon with overnight lows expected to drop back to the 0 degree mark and below if it really clears.

The brunt of this system has cleared the area and we are into the bonus storm conditions thanks to the switch back to the northwesterly flow. Don’t be surprised by higher gusting winds this afternoon as the tail end starts to clear the area and be bundled up if you plan to be outside.

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