2 weeks Ago
After a warm fall, Boulder County was struck by a snowstorm which began Tuesday afternoon. According to Ayesha Wilkinson, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, Boulder received between 4 and 6 inches of snow during the storm. Longmont and Lyons received between 2 and 3 inches.
Additionally, western areas within Boulder County such as Allenspark, Jamestown and Nederland got between 5 and 7 inches of snow, according to Wilkinson. Wilkinson also stated that some areas of Nederland received eight inches. Wilkinson said it was not likely the lower areas of Boulder County would see much more significant accumulation in the coming days.
“Tonight there will be an additional light accumulation in the foothills,” said Wilkinson. “Another round will begin Thursday afternoon with a pretty light accumulation in the foothills, about half an inch.” Wilkinson said that the National Weather Service is still coming up with snowfall totals for Friday and the weekend, but that Boulder County’s foothills could potentially see an additional two to four inches.
Eldora spokesman Sam Bass said that snowmaking conditions at at the ski area were perfect: “cold and calm.” “It’s dumping up here at Eldora,” said Bass. “We started the morning with about eight inches of powder on top of Monday’s eight inches.
” Thanks to the recent snowfall and cold temperatures for snowmaking, Eldora is opening Thursday, more than a week ahead of schedule . “We’re just so excited to be able to open early,” said Bass. “To have this kind of mid-winter feeling at the beginning of the season is amazing.
” Bass said he was happily surprised by the quick change from a warm fall to wintery conditions. “I’ve never seen the switch flip quite this early in the season from warm, sunny weather to full-on winter conditions,” said Bass. “It looks like it’s supposed to keep snowing in bits and spurts.
” Bass said that Eldora is excited to be able to provide fresh powder to its riders just in time for opening day. “Normally we are opening with just human made snow and no natural snow, so it’s a big deal,” said Bass. According to Boulder County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Carrie Haverfield, there were a couple of slide-offs on Magnolia Road in Boulder Canyon and different parts of the county Tuesday night.
“We had road issues around the county last night and today,” said Haverfield. “The first snowstorm of the winter typically sees increased crashes and slide-offs.”.
