Winter weather advisory announced for Southwest Colorado

Rain is expected in Montezuma County; snow in the San Juans
Winter christmas landscape

The National Weather Service has announced a winter weather advisory for the mountains of Western Colorado beginning at 6 p.m. today, with 5-10 inches of snow forecast for the San Juan Mountains.

The advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. Friday.

Snow mixed with rain is expected at 9,500 feet, changing to snow above 10,000 feet. Up to 2 feet of snow is possible for favored southwest faces above timberline in the Grand and Battlement Mesas, West Elk and Sawatch Mountains, and Northwest and Southwest San Juan Mountains.

Expect difficult travel conditions over the mountain passes. Winds are expected to reach 45 mph, causing patchy blowing and drifting snow.

In Montezuma County, there’s a 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight and Friday. The high temperature today is expected to reach 64 degrees, with a low tonight of 42. Friday’s high and low are expected to be 55 and 32 degrees.