A winter storm warning was issued for early Friday through Saturday morning as a winter storm could bring up to 18 inches of snow to the high county around the San Juan Mountains, according to the National Weather Service.
According to the weather service, scattered rain and snow is expected to start Thursday afternoon, with rain changing to snow by Thursday night in elevations mostly above 8,500 feet.
Snow will continue off and on until Friday night, and is expected to taper off by Saturday morning.
The winter storm warning is in effect from 12:01 a.m. Friday until 9 a.m. Saturday. Locations include Hesperus, Lake City, Ouray, Rico, Silverton and Telluride.
In Durango, the weather service forecasts a 70 percent chance of rain mixed with snow during the day Friday, dropping to a 40 percent chance at night. On Saturday the rain-snow mix drops to 30 percent.
Another snowstorm could move into the region Monday night.
The heaviest snowfall is expected in the high country, but elevations between 7,000 and 8,000 feet also could receive snow.
The weather service warns some roads may be impassable because of the storm, and power outages are possible because of the weight of snow on lines.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
