A complicated system looks to hit our backcountry patrol zone on Friday / Saturday. One part of it is coming from the north bringing cold and moisture, another part coming from the southwest bringing moisture but maybe not far enough, and a weak low pressure may form over the mountains as well (i.e. it’s too confusing to me). Here are the model forecasts and timing of snowing:
8” – Peaks Model (midday Friday to Sunday afternoon)
5” – Canadian Model (Friday night to Sunday afternoon)
5” – WRF Model (midday Friday to Sunday morning)
4” – European Model (Friday night to Sunday afternoon)
3” – American Model (midday Friday to midday Saturday)
Saturday looks to be cold, and Sunday looks to be really cold with highs below 10 degrees. Sunday looks to be windier than Saturday.
Next shot of snow may be around Thursday January 29 or so.
With my travels, I can’t really write a retrospective on the last storm, but it was great (8”) and unpredicted.
Cheers.
-Jordan (Thursday 1/22/26 morning)
Geeky Notes:
References to the American Model are to the American (GFS) Model grid including Brainerd Lake with an average elevation of 9,439’. References to the Canadian Model are the Canadian (GDPS) Model grid including Brainerd Lake with an average elevation of 10,253’. References to the European Model are the European (ECMWF IFS) Model grid including Brainerd Lake. References to the WRF Model are the CAIC WRF Hi-Res Model point forecast for Eldora Ski Area with an elevation of 9,189’. References to the Icon and UKMet Models are to the point with my cursor at my best estimate of Eldora Ski Area. For big picture overviews, I tend to rely on the American Model, not because I think it is the most accurate, but because (i) it is free and (ii) I like its interface.
