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Steamboat Springs — A little bit of snow has peeked into the weather forecast for Steamboat Springs.

On Friday night, there’s a slight chance of snow in town and slightly better odds for Mount Werner, according to the National Weather Service.

Opensnow.com is calling for as much as an inch Friday but predicts 3 to 5 inches for Sunday night into Monday.

Open Snow meteorologist Joel Gratz writes in Thursday’s daily snow report that the second week of December could see a shift to a snowier weather pattern.

“This is a lot more optimism than I've had for a while, so while I'll try not to get carried away, right now I'm happier than a witch in a broom factory,” Gratz wrote.

The National Weather Service’s forecast discussion is slightly more tempered, stating that while the trough will be the strongest to affect the area in two weeks, it’s predicted to weaken considerably as it moves through.

“Unfortunately, the model trends for that system to get weaker,” said Dennis Phillips, with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.

While the system showed some promise earlier, Phillips said, how much snow Steamboat gets will depend on whether the system can pick up some moisture on the way here.

“It’s been so dry between here and the West Coast,” Phillips said. “The West Coast is just getting pounded.”

However, as more storms swing through, they’ll keep bringing more moisture to the area, he said.

About Gratz’s hope for a snowier weather pattern in December, Phillips said the models are showing a chance for snow around Dec. 7.

“There’s trying to be a whole pattern change,” Phillips said. “We’re waiting to see if that happens or not.”

But while there’s a shot at a storm for Steamboat on Dec. 7, models are showing dry conditions again after that, Phillips said.

To reach Michael Schrantz, call 970-871-4206 or email mschrantz@SteamboatToday.com