For 4/15/09: This system we have been watching has surged in from the southwest and stalled in a vertical orientation from New Mexico up to Wyoming. The high winds we are seeing building this morning are a response to the warm southern temperatures meeting the cold from the north and this will spur convective showers early with a potential mix of thunder rain and snow likely for the lower valleys while snow falls on the ridges.

Overnight lows hardly moved last night with Crested Butte reporting 37 degrees this morning while Gunnison stayed right in check also bottoming out at 37.  Daytime highs will hover right around this mark and maybe slip lower this morning as the front end of this system settles in. High gusting winds will mean colder windchill values so be prepared for this variable. We will see a big swing in the temperatures through this storm with warm highs today dropping to the low 30’s tomorrow and then rebounding again into Friday to the 40’s. The result will be a complicated mix of conditions that will mean sloppy travel and some good inside project days through the end of the week.

The different components coming together for this system will make it a complicated soup. If all the parts fall into place it will mean a big spring storm but slight changes could make for a dud. Don’t underestimate the potential and be prepared for all conditions as you head out. 

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