Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Slide: 1 Good Evening! This is the National Weather
Service in Grand Junction, Colorado. Today is Sunday, April 14th, and this is a weather
briefing for the period of unsettled weather, bringing significant snow accumulations to
the mountains and much colder temperatures once again. This is expected to begin tonight,
Sunday April 14th and last through until Wednesday, April 17th. For the latest information check
our website at www.weather.gov/gjt.
Slide: 2 Here is a map of the current highlights in
effect as of this evening, which is Sunday, April 14th. We will be discussing the weather
over the past 24 hours as well as the extended period of unsettled weather beginning tonight,
Sunday night, and lasting through until Wednesday, April 17th. Significant snow is expected for
the mountains. We will discuss it all in the next few slides. Once again, for the latest
updates, check our website.
Slide: 3 The following is a table of the weather that
occurred over the last 24 hours. Yesterday evening, which was Saturday, April 13th, a
strong cold front quickly moved through the area with strong wind gusts out ahead of it.
The peak wind gusts that occurred Saturday evening in the northern and central Colorado
valleys were anywhere between 45 and 57 miles per hour, with showers developing along this
front and behind it. Overnight through Sunday morning, April 14th, the northern and central
Colorado mountains received 6 to 12 inches of snow, with some locally higher amounts
over a foot in a few areas. The southern Colorado mountains received 2 to 7 inches of snow and
the eastern Utah mountains received 2 to 5 inches of snow, with lesser amounts of 2 inches
or less in the La Sals and Abajos. The valleys, mainly northern and central Colorado valleys,
received a sufficient amount of rain. Some amounts include 0.20 in Grand Junction, 0.38
in Craig, 0.52 in Collbran, 0.62 in Meeker, and 1.12 inches of rain near Glenwood Springs,
3 miles south-southeast of town.
The majority of the day today, Sunday April 14th, brought sunny skies, breezy winds, and
cooler temperatures. Clouds will increase this evening ahead of the next in a series
of systems to bring unsettled weather to the region through Wednesday.
Slide: 4 The following is a table of the current highlights
in effect and impacts involved.
Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for the northern and central Colorado mountains
from after midnight tonight, which is Sunday April 14th, through Tuesday morning, April
16th as well as the eastern Uintas in northeast Utah, which is in effect through Wednesday
evening. Strong west-southwest flow, deep Pacific moisture and cold air in place over
the mountains will be sufficient to produce significant snow accumulations during this
period over the northern and central mountains. 8 to 14 inches are expected in the Park, Gore
and Flattop mountains of northwest Colorado as well as the eastern Uintas in northeast
Utah. 7 to 14 inches expected for the Grand Mesa, with 6 to 12 inches for the Elks, West
Elks, Sawatch mountains, and central mountain valleys, including Aspen.
It looks like there will be a break in the action late Tuesday morning through the early
afternoon for most areas as drier air works in and a warm front lifts northward. This
happens as a trough of low pressure deepens over the Great Basin and brings a strong cold
front and the associated trough across the area Tuesday night into Wednesday evening.
This will bring colder air and the potential for another round of significant snow accumulations
for the mountains, with higher amounts in the northern and central mountains. Some locations
may see upwards of 30 inches total from tonight through Wednesday evening once this is all
said and done. Snow levels look like they will lower to valley floors Tuesday night
as this cold front moves through.
After the system moves out Wednesday evening and colder air settles in, widespread below
freezing temperatures are expected Thursday morning and Friday morning before temperatures
warm back up for the weekend. Killing freeze is possible in many valleys so take precautions
and protect those sensitive plants, crops and fruit trees if necessary.
Slide: 5 This concludes the weather briefing for the
long duration storm set to bring unsettled conditions to the area tonight, which is Sunday
April 14th, through Wednesday evening, April 17th. Make sure you check our website at www.weather.gov/gjt
for the latest information. You can find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and send
any reports there. Also, check CDOT or UDOT for latest road conditions by dialing 511
in your state. Thanks for watching.