Spring is nowhere in sight as a series of snowstorms will be moving in and out of Southwest Colorado over the next several days.
The Four Corners area will have only a slight reprieve from this week’s snowfall as more low-pressure systems from the West Coast move into the region this weekend and into next week.
“Friday evening through Saturday, we’re going to see another storm, this one a low-pressure system coming in from the Pacific Northwest,” said Brianna Bealo, a National Weather Service meteorologist. “This one looks like it’s mostly going to hit I-70 north.”
Bealo said the string of storms will continue after Saturday evening.
“Unfortunately, that won’t be the last of the storms,” she said. “Another low-pressure is coming in and will hit on Sunday and last through Monday, and then another will hit midweek.”
Bealo said Friday may be the only day La Plata County residents see sunshine for a while.
“There will be a brief high-pressure front moving in Friday that could warm things up a bit,” she said. “There may be a little sunshine. It will be a little drier, but then things will get colder moving into Friday evening.”
Those planning on traveling during the next few days can check the Colorado Department of Transportation’s website cotrip.org for updates on road conditions and closures.
Local ski areas have benefited from recent storms. As of Thursday morning, Purgatory Resort had received 13 inches in the last 24 hours; Wolf Creek Ski Area had received 17 inches in 24 hours; Telluride Ski Resort had received 2 inches; and Hesperus Ski Area had received 12 inches since Wednesday.
Those planning on backcountry skiing will want to check with the NWS’s avalanche report webpage, as there are multiple avalanche warnings throughout the San Juan Mountains.
Bealo said it does not look like spring will be here anytime soon, as winter weather continues to hit Southwest Colorado.
“I’m from upstate New York,” Bealo said. “This feels like winter in upstate New York, not winter in Colorado.”
molsen@durangoherald.com
