A wet winter storm that slammed the Front Range meant canceled flights all day Wednesday between Denver and Durango.
The widespread storm largely missed Southwest Colorado, but Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain passes all received snow.
A chain law for commercial vehicles was in effect for most area passes, but those restrictions were lifted by Wednesday afternoon, with the exception of Red Mountain Pass, between Silverton and Ouray.
Overnight snow totals included 1 inch for Coal Bank, 2 inches for Molas Pass and 7 inches for Red Mountain Pass. Lizard Head Pass between Rico and Telluride received 8 inches, said Nancy Shanks, spokeswoman with the Colorado Department of Transportation. Wolf Creek Pass received only 2 inches of overnight snow.
Purgatory Resort reported 3 inches from overnight snow.
Careful observers may have noticed a trace of snow on their cars or lawns Wednesday morning in Durango.
A weak area of high-pressure was expected to move into the region Wednesday night and Thursday, which will result in calm winds and a return to sunny skies, said Megan Stackhouse, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.
The next chance for snow, although only a 20 percent chance for Durango, comes Friday night. The San Juan Mountains could get 2-4 inches.
"This system is not going to bring so much snow to you guys,” Stackhouse said.
The storm is expected to break up for the weekend, but temperatures will remain cool: a high of 46 Saturday and a high of 54 Sunday. The next chance for snow comes mid-week next week.
Forecasters are calling for above-average moisture in April.
At least one United flight to Durango was canceled Tuesday evening – ahead of the storm. Turner said airlines are trying to get out in front of storms to avoid inconveniencing passengers.
American Airline flights to Dallas and Phoenix ran on schedule Wednesday, he said.
shane@durangoherald.com
