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Conditions

• New Snow (Mid-Mountain snow stake)
  • 6” Tuesday 5:00 am to Wednesday 5:00 am (24 hours)
  • 4” Tuesday 5:00 pm to Wednesday 5:00 am (12 hours)

• Last Snowfall
  • 6” Tuesday & Tuesday Night (May 6-7)

• Snowpack
  • 79% of the 30-year average

• Terrain
  • 5 of 24 lifts
  • 61 of 171 trails

Forecast

While the Winter Park side is closed, the Mary Jane side will be open ALAP (As Late As Possible).

It's less snow than I expected, but flakes did fall on Tuesday with about 2 inches of accumulation, and the snow intensified on Tuesday night with about 4 inches of accumulation through 600 am.

The storm had a wind from the east, and the most intense precipitation (snow and rain) fell east of the continental divide, with less precipitation making it to Winter Park.

Two observations:

• I thought more precipitation would 'spill over' the divide to Winter Park, and most models showed this.
  
  
• I think that without intense precipitation rates, it's hard for snow to accumulate during the high daytime sun angle, even if clouds are present and temperatures are colder than 32°F. This might explain the lack of accumulation on the snow stake on Tuesday.

Even though total snowfall is lower than expected, Wednesday morning should still be fun with surfy powder. Also, there should be an additional 1-3 inches of accumulation during the morning as the storm is still spinning precipitation into Colorado's northeastern mountains.

Looking ahead, Thursday through Tuesday will bring typical spring conditions with highs in the 40s and just a few afternoon clouds and showers each day.

Then, next Wednesday and Thursday (May 14-15), a storm will track over northern Colorado and could bring gusty winds and maybe some snow.

And then from around Saturday, May 17, through Tuesday, May 20 (and maybe beyond), another slow-moving southern storm could bring multiple days of rain and snow showers.

Tap below to see our forecasts:

• Winter Park (11,000 ft)
• Berthoud Pass (11,500 ft)
• I-70 Daily Snow

I know that riding will continue for many days/weeks to come as Mary Jane will be open ALAP (As Late As Possible), though it's time for me to hang it up for the season, and I will write my final season wrap-up post early next week.

Thanks for reading!

JOEL GRATZ
Meteorologist at OpenSnow.com