A winter weather advisory has been issued for the high country of the San Juan Mountains, as an incoming storm could drop up to a foot of snow.
The National Weather Service issued the advisory, which took effect at 3 p.m. Thursday and lasts until 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Towns that fall within the advisory area include Silverton, Hesperus, Ouray, Lake City, Telluride and Rico.
During this time period, snow is expected to be moderate to heavy at times. Anywhere from 4 to 8 inches could accumulate, though places such as Wolf Creek Pass could see up to a foot of snow.
The Weather Service said the heaviest snow accumulations were expected Thursday night into early Friday morning. Travel is expected to be affected on mountain passes across the region.
At high elevations, the chance for snow lasts until Saturday night. The Weather Service predicts Sunday will return to sunny and dry conditions.
In Durango, light snow started falling Thursday afternoon. Less than a half-inch was expected to accumulate overnight. The chance of snow persists through Friday and Saturday, before a return to dry and sunny conditions Sunday.
The precipitation comes at a time when the Animas River is setting record-low flows for this time of year, based on 109 years of record keeping.
The flow in the Animas River has been hovering around 100 cubic feet per second. The Animas River is usually flowing around 200 cfs this time of year.
Earlier this month, the Animas River dipped below 100 cfs, an uncommon occurrence. The lowest flow ever recorded on the gauge near the Powerhouse Science Center was 94 cfs in March 1913.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
