For 1/11/10: For Today: The high pressure ridge that has been keeping us in these clear and cold conditions is finally cycling clear of the area through the day today. We can expect some gusting winds and scattered high cloud cover that will continue to build through tomorrow as a wave of northern moisture sifts into the area. The brunt will stay to the north and the south of Colorado but we will see enough of an impact to effect a change in the general pattern.

Overnight lows show the inversion is holding with Crested Butte reporting 1 degree while Gunnison continued to drop significantly lower to -11 degrees. Daytime highs will look a lot like yesterday with the higher elevations and ridges hitting the mid 20’s while the pooling cold keeps the south end of the valley in the teens. Tonight’s lows will be warmer and will mark the slow progression of the changing pattern.

The ridge clearing the area will be the first piece of s a string of changes that will help get us out of this current unproductive pattern in the west. We will see a chance at snow through the end of the week but the system is weak and the significance will really be in the changes it brings. Enjoy these last sunny days and start thinking snow.

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