More than a foot of fresh snow was deposited above 12,000' in the high country of RMNP on Aug. 16th.
As the skies cleared this morning (8/17) and views of the high peaks opened to the east, it became evident that this was likely a record snow event in the high country of Rocky Mountain National Park, with more than a foot of snow observed above 12,000' with a snowline below 11,000'. Heavy rain and some flooding affected the lower elevations of the Estes Valley and today in the peaks, numerous sluffing avalanches large enough to bury a person were observed in the Ptarmigan and Longs Peak Cirques in RMNP.
 Early morning light on Longs Peak and Mt. Meeker (L-R) on Aug. 17th, 2008.
Cool-down may bring snow to mountains
Tillie Fongand and Alan Gathright of the Rocky Mountain News
Updated 01:43 a.m., August 14, 2008
A cold front arriving today might drop some winter-like frosting above 10,000 feet along and east of the Continental Divide, including parts of Rocky Mountain National Park, tonight and early Friday, and it may bring some record low temperatures to the metro area.
There is a 50 percent chance of the mountains getting snow showers through Saturday, before the front moves out of the state.
Down along the urban corridor, the cold front will bring rain, with highs only in the upper 70s today.
Nighttime lows will drop to the upper 40s and 50s, so it might be a good idea to have a sweater or light jacket handy.
Friday is expected to be rainy in the metro area with a high predicted to plummet to 61 degrees.
That would be 26 degrees below the normal high of 87 degrees for mid-August.
 Longs and Meeker from Lumpy Ridge on Aug. 14th before the snow storm.
"That will be a significant cool-off," said Bob Koopmeiners of the National Weather Service in Boulder.
The previous record minimum high temperature for Aug. 15 was 69 degrees in 1933, according to the National Weather Service.
On Wednesday, a weak tornado touched down briefly in an open field in southeast Colorado, with no injuries or damage reported.
The twister was spotted about 4 p.m., south of Ramah, about 115 miles from Denver, the Weather Service said.
This weekend, the metro area will be cool with possible showers and highs in the upper 60s Saturday and low 70s Sunday.
Nighttime lows will be in the 50s both days.
But don't despair. The sun will shine Monday and Tuesday with highs in the low 80s, although the lows will remain cool in the 50s.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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