Significant snowfall and colder temperatures at all elevations are expected in the Steamboat Springs area through Monday as a number of storms move across the region, according to local meteorologist Mike Weissbluth.

Weissbluth, who posts local forecasts for the Yampa Valley twice a week on SnowAlarm.comsaid in its report Thursday afternoon that Christmas Day snowfall left only a few inches at the mid-mountain station of Steamboat Resort and three inches at the summit.

“Splitting storms are always a challenge to forecast because it is difficult to predict the eventual direction and strength of the storm, something weather forecast models only fully understood on Tuesday,” Weissbluth added.

“This shouldn’t be a problem with the upcoming series of storms as they move overhead in our favorable northwesterly flow and are lifted by the Park Mountain Range barrier just east of us,” he added.

Weissbluth said snowfall is expected to be 6 to 12 inches in the middle of the mountain by Friday morning.

After a slowdown in rainfall, a second wave of energy will arrive on Friday, bringing “moderate to heavy snowfall lasting until midnight, at times snowing over 1 inch per hour,” according to the local meteorologist.

“Winds will also increase, reaching gusts of around 50mph on Friday evening, making travel even more difficult. According to the report Saturday morning, another 6 to 12 inches are expected on this hill,” Weissbluth said Thursday.

Another wave of energy arriving with the series of storms means the snow may not completely stop on Saturday, particularly at Steamboat Ski Area, but warmer temperatures could see a mix of rain and snow at lower elevations.

Depending on the strength of Saturday’s wave of energy, another 3 to 6 inches could be included in the ski area’s snow report Sunday morning, according to Weissbluth.

“The fourth and final wave associated with the storm cycle could bring additional snow for Monday, but there is uncertainty as to whether this will begin Sunday evening or early Monday,” Weissbluth said.

“Early indications are for another 5 to 10 inches of snow, which will be less dense than the snow that fell during the warm part of the storm and more similar to the beginning,” he said, adding that the storm is fading away will bring colder temperatures.

“Enjoy the storm cycle that could add up to three inches of liquid water to our snowpack, and check back for more details on the latest wave in my next regular update on Sunday afternoon.”“Weissbluth added.