Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — If the predictions of the National Weather Service are correct, residents of Steamboat Springs will wake to several inches of snow Wednesday morning.

Meteorologists predict the rain that has soaked the area for several days will turn to snow some time tonight. Four to eight inches of snow are expected in Steamboat by the time it stops falling Wednesday night.

"We're going to release a snow advisory for everyone above 7,000 feet," said meteorologist Jeff Colton.

All weekend, Steamboat absorbed rain and wind from a weather front that originated in California. Weather hitting the area today and tomorrow is part of a different system, Colton said.

"This weather is coming out of the Pacific Northwest," Colton said. "It has already hit Utah, dropping snow above 7,700 feet."

Today's falling temperatures are appropriate for the last day of summer. Wednesday is the first day of fall.

"As we move into fall, the westerly jet stream dips down," Colton said. "We'll see a few more warm days, but nothing like what it has been."

Traditionally, Routt County sees its first significant snowfall around Halloween.

On Halloween of 2003, Big O Tires stayed open until 9 p.m. trying to fill all the orders for snow tires. The business usually closes around 6 p.m.

"We always get a big rush when it snows," said Big O Tires fleet manager Kori Goddard.

This year, the rush is coming early.

On Monday morning, the doors of the tire garage opened at 7:30 a.m. Big O Tires operates on a first-come, first-served basis and the lines started early.

"We've been busy literally since the doors opened with people inquiring about snow tires," Goddard said. The garage fitted cars with studded tires on Monday, more than a month before the business usually sees such requests.

"People are definitely anxious," Goddard said. "But we haven't even made our snow tire order yet.

"This is definitely early."

Philips Johnston, an employee at The Click, a skateboard and snowboard shop in Central Park Plaza, said this is still the time of year when the store should be selling skateboards but more people are interested in snowboard gear.

"Companies shipped their snow wear already," Johnston said. "A lot of people are definitely getting the bug early this year."

-- To reach Autumn Phillips call 871-4210

or e-mail aphillips@steamboatpilot.com