Grand Junction, Colo. A strong Pacific storm will slam into western Colorado starting Thursday night, bringing the first real valley snow of the season and a solid mountain dump that could reach 10 inches in spots.
Valley floors along and north of I-70 stand the best chance of seeing measurable snow before it melts Friday morning. Areas south toward the Four Corners may only get cold rain or nothing at all.
Storm Arrives Faster Than Earlier Models Showed
The leading edge of moisture now looks to push into the western valleys between 6 PM and 9 PM Thursday, several hours earlier than previously thought.
National Weather Service Grand Junction issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the northern mountains and a Special Weather Statement for the I-70 corridor Wednesday afternoon. Forecasters say snow levels will drop to 5,500 feet by midnight, low enough to coat Grand Junction, Delta, Montrose, and even parts of the Uncompahgre Plateau.
“Travel across the mountains Thursday night and Friday morning will turn difficult quickly,” said Stephen Bowers, KJCT chief meteorologist. “Chain laws and delays are very likely on I-70, Highway 50 over Monarch, and especially on 550 over Red Mountain and Molas Pass.”
How Much Snow Will Actually Stick?
Valley totals remain low but noticeable.
- Grand Junction, Delta, Clifton, Palisade: 1-3 inches possible on grassy surfaces before roads warm and melt it by noon Friday
- Montrose, Ouray, Ridgway: 2-4 inches likely, with some spots near 5 inches if the snow band sits just right
- Telluride, Silverton, higher San Juans: 8-14 inches now in play with the latest HRRR model runs
- Wolf Creek, Monarch, Vail Pass: 10-18 inches possible by Friday night
Most valley snow will fall after 2 AM Friday when temperatures drop into the upper 20s. That cold pocket gives the best chance for accumulation before the sun and warmer air arrive by midday.
Temperature Crash Will Feel Brutal
Wednesday’s highs climb into the low to mid 60s under sunshine, one of the warmest days left this fall.
Thursday stays mild until evening, then the bottom falls out.
Friday morning lows:
Grand Junction 28°
Montrose 25°
Cortez 30°
Moab 34°
Friday afternoon highs struggle to reach 40° in Grand Junction and only the mid 30s in Montrose, a 25-degree drop in 24 hours.
Drivers and Skiers Are Already Reacting
CDOT cameras showed crews pre-treating I-70 over Vail Pass Wednesday night. Colorado State Patrol urged people to leave early or delay travel Friday morning if possible.
Local ski areas lit up social media with excitement.
Telluride Ski Resort posted: “Mother Nature is about to deliver the goods. Opening Day is looking real.”
Purgatory and Silverton both moved up their planned opening dates after seeing the new snow maps.
Bottom Line for Western Colorado Residents
If you have to drive Thursday night or Friday morning, pack a winter kit, give yourself double the normal time, and check COtrip.org before you leave.
The storm moves out fast Friday afternoon. Sunshine returns this weekend with highs rebounding into the 50s by Sunday, perfect for getting out and enjoying whatever snow stuck around.
This quick-hitting taste of winter reminds everyone on the Western Slope that the season flips fast once November knocks. Get the scraper out of the garage, check tire tread, and maybe fire up the snow blower, because the mountains are about to turn white and the valleys just got their wake-up call.
What do you think, will this storm finally make it feel like winter where you live? Drop your town and how much snow you get in the comments below, and tag your photos this weekend with #WesternSlopeSnow so we can all see it!
