Mountain West Discussion

[Front Ranger]

The GFS and Euro are forecasting a ton of liquid and temps cold enough for significant snow, but I'm not buying it quite yet. It's hard to believe the season's biggest snowfall could happen in the second half of May.

 

No doubt. In my 10+ years here, the latest I've seen accumulating snowfall is May 19.

[epiceast]

I think I'll wake up to a snowy ground tomorrow.

[Black Hole]

Rain to snow tonight for me, but not expecting much accumulation if any. Still, if we do manage even a couple inches it could be a problem with fully leafed trees.

The airmass is as cold or colder than any here so late in the season, at least in terms of upper level temperatures in the sounding era. 

[Kayla]

Still lots of open question here with the system currently moving in tonight. Looks like we may be just a little too far north and east to get the brunt of the moisture and cold air but just slight a slight north or east movement could quickly drop several inches of snow here tomorrow. Tough forecast. Either way it's looking like quite an impressive late spring storm.

[epiceast]

37 and rain here.

[Guest happ]

Snow in May; Rocky Mts win!

Brian Brettschneider

[Kayla]

Well, looks like the low is pulling in plenty of cold air and moisture. Currently sitting at 30º at noon with heavy snow. Changeover occurred at about 10am with already about 3" of accumulation. Quite surprised to see accumulating snow even on road surfaces in the middle of May during the heart of the daylight hours.

 

Snow should continue throughout the day with another strong band moving through this evening. Wouldn't surprise me if I approach 8-12" by tomorrow morning. Nice storm!

[Black Hole]

I got 1" of snow at my place this morning. It was very heavy and wet. There was some minor tree damage. This was one of the latest snowfalls on record for SLC, with the latest in the airport era being just 7 years ago on May 24, 2010. We were 1F away from the record low this morning and could break the min max this afternoon. 

[Kayla]

I should add I have also already picked up almost 0.75" of precip since midnight with plenty more on the way. Very potent storm.

[Kayla]

I got 1" of snow at my place this morning. It was very heavy and wet. There was some minor tree damage. This was one of the latest snowfalls on record for SLC, with the latest in the airport era being just 7 years ago on May 24, 2010. We were 1F away from the record low this morning and could break the min max this afternoon. 

 

Impressive! Seems like a trend of colder and wetter late spring storms in the Rockies over the last decade or so.

[Front Ranger]

Nice to hear the reports. Winter Storm Watch here for up to 12" in spots, but will likely be very elevation dependent.

[epiceast]

Snowed all morning but didn't accumulate. some places saw up to 4" in the valley.

[Kayla]

Up to 6" of accumulation as of an hour ago here. Had some solar melting in the afternoon hours but it just continues to dump out there. Even downtown Bozeman has recorded 5" of snowfall and 1.04" of precip (both daily records) as of 7pm with the heavy wet snow continuing.

 

 

[epiceast]

Livingston observations are insane today. Switched over from rain to snow around noon.

[Front Ranger]

Kayla, I know there aren't a whole lot of broad leaf trees there (except maybe right in town?), but is there any concern there with the heavy snow damaging leafed out trees? I'm getting a little worried about that here. Looks pretty likely there will be a period of heavy, wet snow tomorrow evening through Friday morning, and everything is almost fully leafed out now.

 

Some models are showing between 12-18" of snowfall for much of the area, which would be one of the greatest May snowstorms on record. The biggest was probably May 5-6, 1978. That storm dumped 23" on Boulder.

[Kayla]

Kayla, I know there aren't a whole lot of broad leaf trees there (except maybe right in town?), but is there any concern there with the heavy snow damaging leafed out trees? I'm getting a little worried about that here. Looks pretty likely there will be a period of heavy, wet snow tomorrow evening through Friday morning, and everything is almost fully leafed out now.

 

Some models are showing between 12-18" of snowfall for much of the area, which would be one of the greatest May snowstorms on record. The biggest was probably May 5-6, 1978. That storm dumped 23" on Boulder.

 

Yeah the Aspens just leafed out here last week along with some other broad'ish leafed trees in town. Have had numerous power flickers tonight but still have power! Up to about 4" everything seemed to be doing alright but now approaching 10" and there is definitely a lot drooping but still not hearing or seeing any snapping. We may have lucked out with the leafs not quite at full growth just yet.

 

12-18?? Wow. I can tell you that this storm has definitely over performed moisture wise but forecasting the snow levels with this system has been a tough call for those below 6,000'. Also very tough to get significant accumulation during the daylight hours in mid May no matter your elevation. Keep us updated on how things shape up for you tomorrow and stay away from those trees!

[Scott]

My house this morning:

 

[Front Ranger]

Woke up to heavy snow and a 1" coating on everything this morning. Wasn't supposed to turn to snow until later today.

 

Already at .47" from this storm when I left the house, could end up with over 3" precip by late tomorrow.

[Kayla]

Ended up with 10" of snow here while downtown ended up with 6". Widespread 1.5-2" 24hr precip amounts around town as well.

 

Have to wait until the finals numbers are in but yesterday may have been the wettest day of any month since May of 1988 here in Bozeman.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

This is a fun storm to track.

[Front Ranger]

Absolutely dumping and starting to pile up at my office in Boulder.

 

 

[James Jones]

It just looks bizarre to me to see heavy snow accumulating on green, fully leafed out trees. 

 

Are you hearing any cracking from the trees? The snowstorm out here in January brought down quite a few, and obviously that was with everything completely bare. I would imagine you guys are going to end up with quite a mess if the temps stay cold enough for accumulation. 

[Front Ranger]

It just looks bizarre to me to see heavy snow accumulating on green, fully leafed out trees. 

 

Are you hearing any cracking from the trees? The snowstorm out here in January brought down quite a few, and obviously that was with everything completely bare. I would imagine you guys are going to end up with quite a mess if the temps stay cold enough for accumulation. 

 

Haven't heard any cracking here yet, but have seen a couple down limbs and lots that are drooping way down. Power has flickered a couple times.

 

If this keeps up like it's supposed to through tomorrow morning, I'm sure it will be a huge mess.

[Black Hole]

Haven't heard any cracking here yet, but have seen a couple down limbs and lots that are drooping way down. Power has flickered a couple times.

 

If this keeps up like it's supposed to through tomorrow morning, I'm sure it will be a huge mess.

Be sure to keep us updated and post more picture and video. Always fun to watch.

[Front Ranger]

Up to 3-4" on non-paved surfaces here. Snowing as hard as ever. I've never seen snow accumulate like this during peak heating so late in the spring.

 

[Dan the Weatherman]

Up to 3-4" on non-paved surfaces here. Snowing as hard as ever. I've never seen snow accumulate like this during peak heating so late in the spring.

 

IMG_20170518_135806062.jpg

 

How often does Boulder get snow this late in the season, whether it is measurable or just a trace?

[Front Ranger]

How often does Boulder get snow this late in the season, whether it is measurable or just a trace?

 

After May 15 is fairly rare...maybe once every 8-10 years on average?

[Front Ranger]

Perfect day for a run around Sloan's Lake in Denver today. 60 degrees, light breeze, fresh snow still on the foothills.

 

 

[Front Ranger]

Looks weird, but I'd be down with this.

 

[Black Hole]

Things are definitely quieting down here as we start to settle into the summer doldrums. A chance of some showers tomorrow night, but most of the week looks like fair weather cumulus and highs in the 70s or 80s. At least it will be pleasant most days. 

[Scott]

Looks weird, but I'd be down with this.

 

t14.2c.gif

 

What would cause the position of the localized blue area?  

[Front Ranger]

What would cause the position of the localized blue area?  

 

I guess an upper level low parking itself over WY/CO? Pretty odd to see such a small, focused area of anomalies in these types of broad brush outlooks.

[Guest happ]

Had to post this Twitter photo taken Friday in Alberta; a beautiful region of the Mountain West  

[Kayla]

After the cold front pushed through here yesterday with wind gusts of over 50mph I'm now getting snow this morning. Heavy wet snow with very little in the way of accumulations but noteworthy nonetheless as we approach Memorial Day weekend. 

[Black Hole]

We had some strong winds and lightning yesterday as some thunderstorms blew through. Much cooler today. 

[Black Hole]

A friend of mine took this while flying into SLC yesterday. This is over the Great Salt Lake. 

[Front Ranger]

Nice and wet here this month. After monsoon-like storms Thursday night and steadier rain today, I'm at 4.20" on the month. 

 

Still nothing compared to May 2015, when I had almost 8".

[luminen]

Nice and wet here this month. After monsoon-like storms Thursday night and steadier rain today, I'm at 4.20" on the month. 

 

Still nothing compared to May 2015, when I had almost 8".

 

April-June 2015 was spectacular, especially coming from PDX.

[Guest happ]

Some great aurora borealis viewing recently. This was last night in Wapiti, Wyoming [via twitter]

[Black Hole]

90F at the airport yesterday in SLC, probably about 92-93F this afternoon.