A frigid winter snowstorm is expected to wallop Southwest Colorado and southeast Utah this week, according to the National Weather Service.
A winter storm watch is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Friday afternoon for portions of northwest, southwest and west-central Colorado, and southeast Utah.
Cortez, Dolores, Mancos and Durango could see 3 to 4 inches of fresh snow on the ground by Friday evening, said meteorologist Kris Sanders.
The surrounding foothills are forecast to receive 6 to 9 inches of snow by Friday, and high country passes are expected to get 1 to 2 feet of new snow. Three feet of new snow in isolated areas on the high peaks can not be ruled out, the weather service said.
“The snow totals look impressive. It is a hefty system,” Sanders said.
The storm also might bring 40 mph winds, and low temperatures could drop below zero when the wind chill is factored in.
A weaker storm is expected Wednesday, dropping 2 to 4 inches in the mountains with rain possible in the lower valleys. A stronger, colder system with heavy snow is expected Thursday and Friday with heavy snow, Sanders said.
The shot of winter weather is badly needed, as November was one of the driest in recent memory.
Snowpack in the Dolores and Animas basins was about 2 inches as of the end of November, or 40% of the average of 5 inches.
Area ski areas are looking forward to the coming storm. As of Tuesday, Purgatory reported a 9-inch base, and Telluride, a 22-inch base.
Travel on roadways could be very difficult because of the storm, the weather service said. Patchy, blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility, especially on ridges and mountain passes. Wind chills could drop the temperature as low as 20 below zero.
The storm will move out of the area by Friday evening. Sanders said the weather pattern is favorable for additional precipitation next week.
A detailed map of the snowfall can be found at: www.weather.gov/gjt/winter.
