(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — FOX21 Storm Team Chief Meteorologist Matt Meister wrote an article earlier this week about an emerging weather pattern that indicated the potential for a major storm next week. Now, five days out, the scenario for a major storm looks more likely, according to Matt.
The term “Albuquerque Low” has been overused over the last couple of decades, according to Matt, in part, because it’s been used incorrectly. “Here’s the deal; not every storm that goes south of Colorado across New Mexico is an “Albuquerque Low,” but the storm next week fits the bill,” said Matt.
Not only is next week’s storm going to be a mature cyclone, but it will also have a true connection to cold air from the north.
The storm will bring moisture with it from the Pacific Ocean and will have access to moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. All of these ingredients will be combined to produce heavy snow and quite a bit of wind as the storm moves through.
Timing highlights as of Friday morning, Feb. 10, 2023:
- Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 14: Snow will develop at ski resorts, but over the plains, it will be sunny and warm.
- Tuesday night: Snow spreads east over I-25 as a cold front arrives.
- Wednesday morning, Feb. 15: There will be heavy snow, falling temperatures, increasing wind, and low visibility.
- Wednesday afternoon: The snow will continue, as will strong wind, low visibility, and blowing/drifting snow.
- Wednesday night: Blowing/drifting snow will continue early in the evening, along with difficult travel conditions, decreasing snow, and gradually decreasing wind.
Terrain will still play a role in terms of impacts and snow amounts, as it always does in Colorado.
The mountains in the southwest part of the state, the mountains south of Pueblo, and the higher terrain of the Pikes Peak Region could see a foot of snow or more.
Wind over the Palmer Divide and Raton Mesa, perhaps even parts of the plains, could produce 3-5 foot snow drifts by late Wednesday or Wednesday night.
