A good chance of rain exists in Southwest Colorado through Saturday, with the National Weather Service office in Grand Junction pegging the chance of rain in Durango at 80 percent Wednesday, dropping to 70 percent Wednesday night.
The Weather Service expects periods of heavy rain Wednesday. Wednesday’s high temperature in Durango was expected to hit only 56 with a low of 42 Wednesday night. Freezing shouldn’t be a problem in town; lows are expected in the low 40s through Saturday night in Durango.
The Colorado Department of Transportation issued a travel alert Wednesday afternoon, saying drivers may have to contend with “slick driving conditions in the high country.”
Snow is expected to fall about 11,000 feet in elevation, but the storm has enough energy, the Weather Service said, that the expected snow level could drop to lower elevations.
For Thursday, the Weather Service lists a 50 percent chance of rain, including thunderstorms, for Durango during the day, dropping to a 30 percent chance at night. Thursday’s high is expected to be 63 in Durango.
A 30 percent chance for rain in Durango extends to Saturday. The storm system is expected to leave the area Friday, but Saturday rain remains possible.
Abundant moisture, cooling temperatures and favorable southerly winds may result in moderate to heavy snowfall in the San Juan Mountains on Wednesday night and Thursday.
The Weather Service emphasized that its forecast remains uncertain because of the warm nature of the storm system and said its forecast may change as more information becomes available.
