John McGinley, Peak to Peak. March 2021: The weather pattern was nearly perfect for extended periods of snow with disturbances coming in from the northwest and west. A large slow moving upper level low moved in mid month and dropped 2-3 feet of snow over the area. More snow fell during the fourth week adding another foot. My total for the month was 57.6 inches with 3.5 inches of liquid. 

This amount ranked third in the climate record since 1965. The top total was 88 inches in 2003 (still hard to believe!); next was 60 inches in 1990. Despite the snow, temperatures were pretty close to normal and windy days were way down.

Precipitation: Snow totaled 57.6 inches doubling the normal of 27.8 inches. Water content was 3.51 inches, much needed. The big event was 36 inches from the 9th to the 17th. A second event occurred from the 22st to the 26th bringing 18 more inches. Snow depths around the area were the highest in many years since we had little melting on the north facing slopes.

Temperature: Average high was 40.6F, average low was 21.3F compared to the normals of 42.5F and 19.9F. These combined to make the month a degree below normal. Warmest high was 57F on the 20th; coldest high was 24F on the 14th. Coldest low was 10F on the 11th. 

Winds: One benefit of these slow moving, wet storms is fewer windy days. We had only four days of 40+ mph and no winds above 60mph.

Other Features: High snow amounts were widespread with near record snow in many locations on the plains. Driving was difficult over the area.

Outlook for April: April is our snowiest month so winter is not over. We will see warm and dry conditions the first week with a weak system near the 8th. There is a good chance for cold and snow mid-month. After that conditions will be warm and dry. The average high in April is 49F with lows of 25F. We normally see 30 inches of snow and six windy days.

(Originally published in the April 8, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)