Nearly 4 Feet Of Snow Blankets Part Of Colorado, Pushes Ski Area Over 200" This Season
By Chris Spears
DENVER (CBS4) - Winter sports enthusiasts couldn't be happier after a series of storms dropped snow measured in feet across the Central Rockies in time for Christmas.
At least another foot of snow is in the forecast before the end of the holiday weekend.
As of December 24 the Wolf Creek Ski Area in southwest Colorado had received 43" of snow from the storm giving a total of 206" since the middle of October.
The average at Wolf Creek is about 430" per season.
Some other 3-day totals from the SNOWTEL network in Colorado's mountains include...
42" - 9 miles ENE of Steamboat Springs (Jackson Co.)
27" - 1 mile NNE of Rabbit Ears Pass (Jackson Co.)
27" - 4 miles SE of Mount Zirkel (Jackson Co.)
24" - 9 miles SSE of Spicer (Grand Co.)
19.5" - 7 miles SSE of Cameron Pass (Grand Co.)
18" - 4 miles NNW of Longs Peak (Larimer Co.)
18" - 1 mile SSE of Loveland Pass (Summit Co.)
16.5" - 8 miles SSE of Rand (Grand Co.)
16.5" - 4 miles S of Longs Peak (Boulder Co.)
16.5" - 3 miles NNE of Mount Audubon (Boulder Co.)
15" - 1 mile WNW of Loveland Pass (Clear Creek Co.)
All of the heavy snow has created a high threat for avalanches in the backcountry of Colorado with 75 avalanches reported in 4 days.
At least 10 of those were triggered by skiers according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
Meteorologist Chris Spears writes about stories related to weather and climate in Colorado. Check out his bio, connect with him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.
