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Four Corners in crosshairs for two storms

San Juan Mountains expected to receive 4-8 inches of snow
Roads were wet but not snow-covered Thursday morning near Purgatory Resort. Chain laws had been in effect for Coal Bank and Molas passes between Durango and Silverton, but the restriction was lifted Thursday afternoon.

Forecasters are calling for 4-8 inches of snow in the San Juan Mountains, with a mix of snow and rain at lower elevations through Friday in Durango.

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory, which is in effect until 9 p.m. Friday for most of the San Juan Mountains – and until midnight Friday for the eastern side of the San Juans, where up to 10 inches of snow is in the forecast.

A winter storm warning has been issued for the central mountains and parts of the Front Range, with up to 2 feet of snow possible at higher elevations.

Two storm systems are tracking for Southwest Colorado, said Julie Malingowski, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.

The front first originated in the Pacific Northwest. It dropped down into California earlier this week, and is now moving east toward the Four Corners, Malingowski said.

It is expected to bring cooler temperatures and snow to elevations above 9,000 feet, she said. Lower valleys may also receive snow, she said, but little or no accumulation is expected.

The slow-moving system should move out of the region Friday, creating a break Friday night and Saturday morning.

A second, warmer storm will arrive Saturday afternoon, bringing heavy precipitation to the valleys on Sunday and snow in the high country, Malingowski said. The second storm will taper off Monday morning, she said.

Temperatures are expected to be 5 degrees cooler than average for the first part of next week, she said.

shane@durangoherald.com



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