Sunny Carnival Departs / Next Storm Arrives

The sunny 9th annual Winter Carnival weekend in Steamboat is already a fading memory as a "1 - 3 inch forecast" ushers in another Winter Storm.

Nature's break in the weather was perfect timing for a four day plethora of eccentric winter sporting events and festivities. Nordic and Alpine skiing events interspersed with a definite Western theme included ski racers heading down a snow-packed Lincoln Avenue behind horses at full gallop. Howelson Hill hosted the Gelandesprung jumping contest, nordic races and a parent-child downhill race. Mt Werner hosted the soda-pop slalom where many of the towns young skiers get their first taste of timed competition.

There's no doubt that if you are in town for this unique weekend of fun that you will see more than a little of the town's famous character and community spirit. The grand event of the weekend is the night-time fireworks extravaganza. Firey hoop jumpers, Dads with rocket laden sleds, and skiing displays from every section of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club are capped off by two appearances from Steamboat's famous Lighted Man firing roman candles from his backpack as he skis down the face of Howelson Hill. A fireworks display fit for the 4th of July capped off the evening and sent us home with a smile.

Another Steamboat tradition - the "1 - 3 inch forecast" delivered another winter storm this morning. Over 14" has fallen in the last 24 hours and tomorrow looks like another big powder day in Steamboat. Woohoo!!


Issued by The National Weather Service
Grand Junction, CO
10:35 am MST, Mon., Feb. 9, 2009

... WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MST TUESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW... WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MST TUESDAY.

STEADY BUT ACCUMULATING SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH EARLY AFTERNOON. THERE WILL BE BREAK IN THE SNOWFALL MID AFTERNOON... BUT ADDITIONAL SNOW SHOWERS CAN BE EXPECTED THIS EVENING. EXPECTED SNOWFALL THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT WILL RANGE FROM 3 TO 6 INCHES... BRINGING THE EXPECTED SNOW ACCUMULATION TO 10 TO 14 INCHES.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.