Snow Totals in Colorado 2021: A Record-Breaking Storm

The recent storm that swept across Colorado has left a trail of destruction and a record-breaking amount of snow in its wake. The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that many areas received over 20 inches of snow, with some spots reaching as high as 3 feet.

According to the NWS, most models were in agreement about the storm's track and intensity, but the current operational GFS model had trended towards a warmer solution for lower elevations. However, the actual results were far from what was predicted, with many areas receiving significantly more snow than expected.

One of the notable aspects of this storm was the presence of reddish dirt in the snow. Many people took to social media to ask about the unusual color, and the National Weather Service in New Mexico provided some insight into the phenomenon. According to their satellite imagery, a plume of dust was pulled north from Mexico by the storm and carried all the way into Colorado.

The impact of this storm on drought numbers will be assessed later this week, but it's clear that many areas have received a much-needed boost in precipitation. Southern Colorado can expect more rain and snow tomorrow, which will only add to the totals.

Looking at national images of precipitation over the last two days, it's clear that the heaviest amounts fell across portions of Nebraska. However, closer to home, virtually all of Northeast Colorado received 2 feet or more of liquid precipitation, with some areas receiving appreciable moisture for drought-stricken Southeast and East-Central Colorado.

Many areas in Northeast Colorado picked up between 2 and 3 feet of precipitation from this event, making it one of the largest snowstorms on record. In fact, Denver International Airport (DIA) received an astonishing 27.1 inches of snow, making it not only the fourth-biggest snowfall on record for the city but also our 'boom' snow of the event.

The storm's impact can be seen in the following map from NOAA, which shows 3-day snowfall totals. The graph below provides a visual representation of area totals with our forecast map overlaid. While some totals may still be updating, it's clear that this was an extraordinary event.

Here is an updated list of totals from across our forecast area:

* Denver International Airport: 27.1 inches

* Limon: * Fort Morgan: As the storm moves into #4 on the list of biggest snowstorms on record for Denver, it's clear that this was a once-in-a-lifetime event. With many areas receiving over 20 inches of snow and some spots reaching as high as 3 feet, it's no wonder that many are still trying to wrap their heads around the sheer amount of precipitation.

While the exact totals may take some time to finalize, one thing is certain: this was a record-breaking storm that will be remembered for years to come.

Snow totals colorado 2021