Late on Monday night, we saw light snow for a time as the next storm starts to push moisture toward Steamboat. This light snow left a coating on the upper mountain, but accumulations were under one inch.

On Tuesday and Tuesday night, we might see a few additional snow showers, though I think most of this time will be dry and any snow accumulation should be minimal. Also, temperatures will be warm with a high near freezing at mid-mountain, so there could be a few rain drops at the base with any passing light showers.

From Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, we will likely see light snow, and then expect a better chance for more intense snow from about Wednesday morning through Thursday morning. During this time, we could receive 6-12 inches, which would make for powder on Wednesday and again during first chair Thursday morning. The snow on Wednesday morning and midday will initially be thick and dense, and then the snow on Wednesday night will be lighter and fluffier. This is exactly the order we want – fluffy snow on top of denser snow.

There will be a break in the snow during most of the day on Thursday, then a second storm will clip northern Colorado with an additional 5-10 inches falling between about Thursday night at midnight and Friday late afternoon. When you look at the snow report on Friday morning, realize that there will be more snow throughout the day on Friday, so don’t let a smaller snow report at 5 am Friday keep you from skiing.

Again, your best chance to ski fresh powder will be on Wednesday afternoon, first chair on Thursday, and first chair through midday on Friday, with total accumulations through Friday likely reaching into the double-digits.

Following this week’s storm, expect dry weather from later Friday, January 12th through about Tuesday, January 16th, and then a stormier period should begin on or around Wednesday, January 17th and continue into later in January.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for an update each morning!

JOEL GRATZ, Meteorologist at OpenSnow.com