The weekend weather forecast for the high country of Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Researched and written by professional meteorologist and avid mountaineer, Dan "the weather man" Gottas.
| Thursday, March 25th, 2010
Rocky Mountain National Park Weather Forecast
Two energetic and similarly structured winter storms dropped significant amounts of new snow across the high country of RMNP over the past week.
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The Week in Review
With the onset of the warming spring season, the moisture capacity of the atmosphere has increased.
This effect combined with destabilizing low-level lapse rates, easterly-component upslope flow, and the dynamics of passing winter circulation systems are the prime ingredients for healthy snow events along the Front Range.
Each system dropped around a foot of new snow near Bear Lake, with upwards of 16" observed by Eli over the higher terrain above the lake. Snowfall rates were observed in the 2-4 inch per hour range during the peak of these events.
Winds during each period of snowfall were from the east through northeast at moderate speeds sufficient to move snow onto lee aspects.
Following the first system on 3/20-21, strong northwesterly winds gusting to 60 mph occurred in the post frontal environment. This range of directions produced new drifts and slabs on a variety of aspects with resulting increased avalanche danger on these lee and cross-loaded mountain sides.
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Click on weather chart to enlarge.
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The Upcoming Week
Yet another storm system, with a track and structure not too dissimilar from the past two systems, will roll in on late Friday into Saturday (3/26-27).
Computer model guidance currently indicates lower snowfall amounts for RMNP compared to the recent snow events, with the heart of the action occurring to the south.
However, even a relatively small error in the forecast position could significantly change the threat for a heavier precipitation event.
A short wavelength ridge of high pressure will move across the region on Sunday and Monday, and will produce the most favorable weather of the week over the highest altitudes, particularly with respect to lower wind speeds.
Brisk southwesterly flow and warming temperatures will develop over the region on Tuesday and Wednesday (3/30-31) ahead of a large storm system moving onshore along the CA coast. This system will migrate eastward and bring the next threat of winter weather to RMNP on Thursday.
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The forecast for new snow looks good and no doubt we'll be out skiing most days in the wilds of RMNP, Colorado during these best months for backcountry sliding.
Mike Arnold enjoying powder conditions below the North Buttress of Hallett Peak, RMNP.
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Detailed 7-Day Forecast
The link above will take you to the National Weather Service forecast for the 12,000 foot level near Longs Peak. These forecasts are derived from computer-generated numerical forecasts, and are updated shortly after 3:30 am, 9:30 am, 3:30 pm, and 9:30 pm local time. In the lower right-hand corner of the page, one can view forecasts for other locations in the Park by clicking on the desired location in the terrain map.
Do-It-Yourself Weather Forecast Links
The link above provides a list of web links to various sites containing a variety of meteorological data and information. Collectively, these resources can be used to monitor and study current weather conditions, as well short-term, medium-range, and climate forecasts
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