John McGinley, Peak to Peak.

April 2021: While we didn’t set any records, April (which is our snowiest month) ended up above normal with 37.5 inches of snow. Things started out badly in the first third of the month where we saw persistent ridging conditions and no precipitation at all. A pattern change on the 12th started a more active period with disturbances coming in from the northwest triggering a number of upslope events. In a week we had 15 inches of snow. A second series of large storms from the west beginning on the 19th brought another 13 inches. The final week brought another 9 inches.

Precipitation: As stated snow totaled 37.5 inches, about 7 inches above normal. This melted out to 2.85 inches, pretty close to normal. Warm days near the end of the month really punished the snowpack. The 9 inches on the 27th-28th  vanished in two days.

Temperature: Average high was 47.1F, average low was 25.1F compared to the normals of 48.8F and 25.1F. These combined to make the month a degree below normal. Warmest high was 71F on the 30th; coldest high was 29F on the 20th. Coldest low was 5F on the 20th. 

Winds: We were about normal on winds with eight days at 40+ mph, two above normal. No winds exceeded 60mph. 

Other Features: Heavy wet snow on the 28th caused a massive rockslide in Boulder Canyon. Rain was generally absent in favor of snow through the month in the Peak to Peak region. The persistent drought conditions in our area have vanished with the abundant snow totals of the last three months.

Outlook for May: The first couple of weeks we should see a continuation of the April pattern. So, we can expect some disturbances with thunderstorms, rain, and snow. The 8th and 15th are the likely arrival days. Beyond that we should see a warming and dry second half of the month. May’s average high is 59F with an average low of 33F. It is wet with 2.87 inches of liquid. Snow totals only 11 inches. Winds drop off with only three windy days.

(Originally published in the May 6, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)