Southwest Colorado will be in snow mode for the next couple of days, with even Durango catching a few flakes, perhaps.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the San Juan Mountains starting at 6 a.m. today and ending at 3 a.m. Wednesday. Snow, combined with winds of up to 40 mph, could contribute to low visibility and treacherous mountain passes.
As far as snow in Durango, “The best chance will be (today),” Dan Cuevas, a technician at the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, said Monday. “Snow could come as low as 6,500 feet elevation.”
The elevation of Durango is 6,512 feet.
Five to 10 inches could fall at higher elevations, Cuevas said.
“The storm will come in, then scoot east and then northeast,” Cuevas said.
There’s a chance of snow and rain on Wednesday, then a mix of sun and clouds are in store for Thursday through Sunday.
“It will be quieter and warmer,” Cuevas said. Highs for the four days will range from the low- to mid-50s, with lows in the low- to mid-20s.
No road closures are expected.
Colorado Department of Transportation crews are ready for snow, spokeswoman Nancy Shanks said Monday.
Plows are stationed at Cascade, Silverton, Ouray and Ridgway, with more available if needed, she said.
About a dozen plows have in-cab communication with weather information sources, Shanks said. Overall, CDOT monitors about 15 weather information sources.
“Given the number of vehicles that went off the road or were abandoned during the last storm, it would be wise not to travel without good snow tires,” Shanks said.
The public can learn of road conditions online at www.cotrip.org or by telephone by dialing 511. Cameras that show still photos of actual conditions at certain points on state highways are accessible by clicking on the “device” icon when on www.cotrip.org.
Meanwhile, U.S. Forest Service crews are ready to take advantage of the cool, wet weather to burn slash left from 2009 fuel reduction projects on 150 acres around Electra and Haviland lakes north of Durango along U.S. Highway 550.
The extent of the operation will depend on snow cover to act as a fuel break. Firefighters will monitor burning slash piles during the day.
Ski and snowboard season is slowly but surely ramping up. Wolf Creek Ski Area, which opened the weekend of Oct. 19 and 20, plans to reopen this weekend. The area has a 19-inch base at mid-point and has received 31 inches to date. Durango Mountain Resort is scheduled to open Thanksgiving weekend.
daler@durangoherald.com
