A series of weak storms are making their way through Southwest Colorado this weekend and early next week. Each of the storms is expected to leave up to 1 inch of snow, according to weather forecasters.
On Friday, the first of the storms brought light snow to Durango. Chain laws went into effect on Molas and Coal Bank passes about 10:30 a.m., joining Red Mountain Pass, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
The law requires all commercial vehicles to use chains, and other vehicles must have snow tires, four-wheel drive or chains.
Higher elevations in the San Juan Mountains were expected to receive more snow: 6 to 10 inches north of Red Mountain Pass and 2 to 4 inches south of the pass, which is between Silverton and Ouray.
The next storm was expected to arrive Saturday. It appeared slightly weaker but could leave up to an inch of snow in Durango.
It will pass Saturday night, said Chris Cuoco, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.
A third system will arrive Monday night or Tuesday and also could leave an inch of snow.
Temperatures are expected to warm up a bit but remain on the cool side.
Cuoco predicted a high in the mid-20s Saturday and a low of 6 degrees Saturday night.
“With cloud cover, that will help keep it warmer overnight,” Cuoco said. “But with snow cover, those temperatures get locked in, and these storm systems aren’t strong enough to dislodge that cold air.”
shane@durangoherald.com
Travel information
The Colorado Department of Transportation reminds motorists to check updated weather information:
Visit www.cotrip.org for real-time road conditions, highway closures, average speeds, photos, live traffic cameras and trucking information.
Call 511 to listen to recorded information about road conditions, projected trip travel times and trucker information.
Receive free email/text alerts at www.codot.gov/travel; choose from a list of options under “get connected.”
Follow @coloradodot on Twitter for traveler information and other news.
Like CDOT at www.facebook.com/coloradodot to receive news and traveler information.
Visit www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving
for information on road conditions, what to keep in a vehicle for winter, how to pass a snowplow, commercial-vehicle requirements, seasonal closures, snow removal and avalanche control.
Herald Staff
