Intense Snowfall Rates over West-Central Colorado during a 2014 Winter Storm

A strong, moist and mild westerly flow aided by a strong upper level jet remained across the central Rockies during 29 January – 1 February 2014 and brought heavy wet snow to the mountains and rain and snow to the valleys of western Colorado and southeast Utah. This mild winter storm created the optimal setup for significant snow and intense snowfall rates which impacted the central Colorado mountains and valleys due to a combination of jet dynamics, strong orographics and frontogenetical forcing. Most mountain areas received 1 to 2 feet of snow with some central Colorado valleys receiving upwards of a foot or more. One particular location, Aspen, received 24 inches in 24 hours with upwards of over three feet of snow that fell during the three day period. This study will examine the storm evolution and factors that contributed to the intense snowfall rates.