Light snowfall arrived Thursday ahead of a weather system that prompted the National Weather Service to issue a winter weather advisory for most of Southwest Colorado.
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction said the winter weather advisory is in effect from noon Thursday until 9 a.m. Friday. It includes the areas of Silverton, Hesperus, Rico, Ouray, Telluride and Lake City.
During this time, up to 8 inches of snow is expected.
The National Weather Service said drivers should expect slippery road conditions, especially over Coal Bank, Molas, Red Mountain and Lizard Head passes.
As of Thursday morning, a commercial vehicle chain law was issued for Coal Bank and Molas passes north of Durango. All commercial vehicles are required to have chains or alternative traction devices. All passenger vehicles must have snow or mud/snow tires, use chains or alternative traction devices or have a four-wheel/all-terrain vehicle.
In Bayfield and Ignacio, snow showers likely to keep falling all afternoon, with a 60-percent chance of precipitation. Less than a half-inch of snow is expected throughout the day.
Thursday night, however, up to 3 inches of snow is possible, with an 80-percent likelihood of more snow. Patchy fog is also expected before 3 a.m. Friday.
The snowy conditions are expected to linger Friday morning. Isolated snow showers are possible throughout Friday and into the night.
The weekend is expected to return to clear conditions, with daytime highs on Saturday and Sunday in the upper 30s and lows in the teens.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
