A system from the north-northwest moves to the east of our patrol zone bringing light snow from Wednesday to Saturday. Here are the model solutions for snowfall for that system:
2” – Canadian and European Models
1” – American Model
The light snow looks to end on Saturday. Of the weekend days, Sunday looks likelier to be the sunny one, and both days should have highs in the low 30s and the usual backcountry patrol zone breeze.
Gazing into forecast fairyland, the next (albeit light) snow looks to be around Tuesday February 3.
Retrospective Discussion:
Eldora got approximately 4” of snow over the three-day period, so all models I checked beforehand (American, European, Canadian, and WRF) were pretty close except for the Peaks Model, which was too high. The European Model and Canadian Model did the best on snow timing.
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.
