While a recent warm spell brought record-tying high temperatures to areas of the state this week, Summit County’s snowpack is still above normal while the statewide snowpack remains below normal.

The Blue River Basin, which includes all of Summit County, is at 110% of the 30-year median, which is considered the historical normal for snowpack levels in a given area. The dry and warm spell caused the statewide snowpack to slide to 84% of the 30-year median.

Snowpack, also referred to as snow-water equivalent, is a measurement of how much liquid water is held within the state’s snowfields — a key indicator for drought conditions and seasonal runoff. 

Summit County’s snowpack is currently higher than it was this time last year by just more than an inch of snow-water equivalent, but it is lagging by about an inch of liquid water when compared to the 2022-23 winter season.

While a few late-January and early-February storms last year helped push the state’s snowpack higher than it is currently, the 2022-23 winter outpaced the current snowpack level by about 5 inches of snow-water equivalent.

Last year, the state’s snowpack didn’t surpass the historic normal until early May, and consistent storms helped push snow levels just shy of the 30-year median peak.

With less than two months until the state typically hits peak snowpack levels, there’s plenty of time for things to change — for better or worse.

The dry and warm spell is expected to break this weekend, with most mountains in Summit County forecast to receive at least 3 inches of snowfall. OpenSnow meteorologists say next week should bring light snow showers with a potential for a significant storm around Valentines Day.

Looking at long-term forecasts issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Summit County and most of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains are expected to have equal chances of above- or below-average temperatures and precipitation, which means conditions are expected to be close to normal over the next month.

When looking at the three-month outlook, Colorado is expected to have a higher chance for below-average precipitation.