SNOTEL Telemetry StationCOID: 709:CO:SNTL
Confidence:High

Rabbit Ears Pass, CO: Snow Depth & Forecast

Physical Sensor: Automated SNOTEL Station •Elevation: 9,400 ft (2,865 m) •Coordinates: 40.380°N, 106.608°W •Region: Colorado Central Rockies

Activity Profile:
Verified Telemetry
0.0/10
PoorCondition Rating

Poor: Thin 0" base, softening at 46°F, calm winds.

Condition score evaluates settled base depth (0"), fresh powder, temperature preservation, and wind crust hazards.

Data Freshness & Provenance

🟢 Live Telemetry Synced
Settled Base DepthUSDA SNOTEL Sensor
Just nowRecent
Recent Snowfall AccumulationAutomated Telemetry
Just nowFresh
7-Day Atmospheric ForecastOpen-Meteo Numerical Stream
< 1 min agoLive
Historical Baseline (% of Normal)NRCS / NOAA 1991–2020 Normals
30-Yr BenchmarkBenchmark
Settled Base DepthRabbit Ears Pass
Measured (SNOTEL)
0in
SWE (Water Eq.)N/A
24h New Snow+0"
72h Storm Total+0"
Historical Season Baseline2% of Normal

Why Conditions Currently Look Limited

Rabbit Ears Pass
Positive Condition Drivers
  • Calm 0 mph winds with low windchill
Limitations & Caution Factors
  • Thin 0" base with exposed rocks, snags & culverts
  • High 46°F temp causes rapid snowpack degradation
Mathematical Point Contributions:
Base Depth: 0 ptsTemp Thaw: -5.4 pts

7-Day Snow & Weather Forecast

High-resolution Open-Meteo atmospheric forecast

7-Day Total: +17.0" Snow
TodayOct 2
❄️
+4.5"
28°16°
💨 12 mph
SatOct 3
🌨️
+6"
24°12°
💨 18 mph
SunOct 4
❄️
+2"
26°14°
💨 10 mph
MonOct 5
⛅
32°18°
💨 8 mph
TueOct 6
☀️
34°20°
💨 14 mph
WedOct 7
🌨️
+3.5"
27°15°
💨 20 mph
ThuOct 8
❄️
+1"
29°17°
💨 11 mph

2026–27 Snow Season & Historical Baselines

1991–2020 Normals
Current vs Typical for Date
2%-98% below typical
Historical Average Peak Depth
82"Typically late Feb – early Apr
Typical Recreation Season
November - MayCore winter snowpack window
Methodology: Baselines represent 30-year median snow water and depth records calculated by USDA NRCS / NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.

About Rabbit Ears Pass Telemetry & Climatology

Just southeast of Steamboat Springs, Rabbit Ears Pass is legendary for abundant, ultra-light dry powder snow and endless open meadows ideal for mountain sleds, backcountry touring, and snowshoeing.

Season Normals & Recreation Windows

The typical winter season for this zone runs from November - May. Historically, peak snow depth averages approximately 82 inches, generally reached between late February and early April depending on elevation.

Measurement MechanismAutomated Ultrasonic Acoustic Depth + Snow Pillow SWE
Elevation ZoneHigh Alpine Continental

Official Avalanche Advisory Required (Steamboat)

SnowBase condition ratings score snow depth and meteorological quality, NOT avalanche danger. Before backcountry skiing or mountain riding, you must check the official regional avalanche forecast and carry rescue gear (beacon, shovel, probe).

View Official Avalanche Center Forecast →

Station Quality & Sensor Reliability

Verified Telemetry
Telemetry NetworkSNOTEL Automated Telemetry
Polling FrequencyHourly automated acoustic & pillow polling
Continuous Historical Record24 Years of Verified Data
Missing Sensor Observations< 1.2% (High Reliability)

Station Geography

Base Depth
48"+
24 - 48"
12 - 24"
< 12"

Nearby Telemetry Stations

Sorted by Distance
Berthoud Pass Summit59.6 mi away • 11,300 ft (+1,900 ft higher)
1"SNOTEL
Vail Pass / Shrine Pass62.4 mi away • 10,580 ft (+1,180 ft higher)
0"SNOTEL
Snowy Range Pass (Medicine Bow)68.2 mi away • 9,600 ft (+200 ft higher)
0"SNOTEL
Monarch Pass Summit131 mi away • 10,760 ft (+1,360 ft higher)
0"SNOTEL

Nearby Winter Recreation Areas

Surrounding Zones
Steamboat & Rabbit Ears PassEndless rolling high-country meadows and world-famous Steamboat champagne powder.
0.1 mi→
Berthoud Pass Backcountry BasinHistoric 11,300-ft Continental Divide touring mecca for ski mountaineers and splitboarders.
59.3 mi→
Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area55,000 acres of managed mountain snowmobile corridors and backcountry ski bowls.
62.2 mi→
Recommended Guide

How to Read a SNOTEL Report Like a Pro

Master the automated telemetry reports from USDA NRCS automated snow telemetry stations across the American West.

Read 6-min Guide →