The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for the San Juan Mountains on Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning as a storm could bring 4-8 inches of snow to the high country.
Meteorologist Megan Stackhouse with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction said about a half-inch of rain was recorded at the Durango-La Plata County airport as of 6 p.m. Wednesday, and rain showers are expected to continue through the evening with rain changing to snow in elevations mostly above 10,000 feet.
Elevations above 9,000 feet could see some snow during the heavier showers overnight, but significant accumulation will be limited to 10,000 feet and above.
Stackhouse said the storm is confined to the Four Corners area, but is expected to slowly lift northeast overnight.
“We anticipate steady rain tonight,” she said. “Conditions will dry out after that storm moves northeast, but it will be a short break because we will have another disturbance impact the area on Saturday.”
Drivers should be cautious taking mountain passes because roads could become slushy or icy overnight, Stackhouse said.
In Durango, Thursday’s high temperature is expected to hit 64 degrees with a 40 percent chance of rain and a low of 42 degrees Thursday evening.
Freezing should not be an issue in town with lows expected in the 40s through the weekend.
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction had not received snow reports as of 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Purgatory Resort’s online cameras showed the first snow of the season covering the ground near Dante’s Bistro at 10,500 feet Wednesday evening.
The winter weather advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Thursday.
mrupani@durangoherald.com
