A slow-moving spring storm lumbered its way into Southwest Colorado on Tuesday bringing snow, rain and wind that is expected to continue through Wednesday.
A winter weather advisory for the region was in effect until midnight Wednesday.
Mountain passes became snow-packed early Tuesday, prompting chain laws to go into effect for commercial vehicles on Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain passes, among others. The cold front was expected to dump more than a foot of snow on higher elevations in the San Juan Mountains and a mix of rain and snow in the valleys, including Durango, said Dennis Phillips, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.
Red Mountain Pass, Grand Mesa and the West Elk Mountains were in the storm’s bulls-eye, said Nancy Shanks, a spokeswoman with the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Several cars slid off the road Tuesday morning on U.S. Highway 550 north of Durango, but no injuries were reported. A Colorado State Patrol trooper slid into a snowbank Tuesday afternoon on Red Mountain Pass, closing it for a couple of hours while the vehicle was pulled out.
Snow also was falling at Purgatory Resort, which was reporting 3 inches of new snow Tuesday night. Wolf Creek Ski Area reported 6 inches of new snow Tuesday afternoon, and it was still snowing heavily. Silverton Mountain was the grand prize winner by Tuesday afternoon with 8 inches of fresh powder.
It was possible Durango would receive up to an inch of snow overnight Tuesday, Phillips said. Temperatures were expected to drop from a high of 50 degrees Tuesday to a high in the low 40s Wednesday, he said.
Some roads could become icy overnight, making Wednesday morning’s commute treacherous in some areas, he said.
A second round of mountain snow showers may take place Thursday during the day and overnight.
Temperatures are expected to be back up to the 60s by Sunday.
shane@durangoherald.com
