A storm pushing through the Southwestern United States from the Pacific Northwest arrived Monday night, sending temperatures plummeting and may dust the Durango area in snow Tuesday night. The storm could deposit over a foot of snow on mountain passes to the north and east of Durango.
Precipitation near the Four Corners began Monday evening and will arrive in two distinct thrusts, said Kris Sanders, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.
“The peak of the intensity of the precipitation in and around Southwest Colorado will be late tonight and tomorrow morning,” Sanders said Monday. “… And then we kind of have the final sweep through the system – that’s more late tomorrow (Tuesday), tomorrow night.”
A winter weather advisory took effect at 6 p.m. Monday and will remain in place through Wednesday morning. The advisory warns of snow accumulation above 9,000 feet and covers the San Juan Mountains, including the La Platas, Wolf Creek Pass, and U.S. Highway 550 from the Glacier Club north almost to Ouray.
“Travel could be very difficult to impossible,” the advisory warns. “Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.”
The break in weather midday Tuesday may mitigate some of the snow accumulation along the passes, Sanders said.
“Coal Bank and Molas are favored for the most snowfall, maybe right around a foot to 20 inches,” he said.
A similar storm hit Oct. 18, leaving behind enough snow on the Continental Divide for Wolf Creek Ski Area to open, making it the first major ski area in the country to do so.
Although temperatures are expected to reach into the 50s during the day later in the week, the storm will bring nighttime temperatures into the teens Wednesday in Durango and Pagosa Springs.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
