It might be time to dust off your favorite pair of winter boots and anticipate the upcoming ski season. As a result of a slow passing storm making its way from Southern California, the Four Corners will experience a combination of rain and snow through Sunday.
Jim Daniels, forecaster with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, said Durango can expect on and off periods of heavy precipitation, including rain and snow, through the weekend.
Three to four inches of snow were expected Friday night for elevations of 7,000 feet and below in the Durango area, he said Friday afternoon. Higher up in the San Juan Mountains, anywhere between 10 to 15 inches of snow can be measured, he said.
The storm is expected to move out of the area by late Sunday or early Monday, Daniels said.
Nancy Shanks, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Transportation, said that because of the storm-weather conditions, half the region’s plow trucks are out in affected areas. There are about 11 plows in the Durango maintenance area and about 10 in the Ridgway maintenance area. The plowing crew will be working 8- to 12-hour shifts, 24 hours a day until the roads dry, she said.
Also, she cautions drivers because the roads are expected to be slick tomorrow morning, she said.
The chain law is in effect on Wolf Creek, Molas, Coal Bank and Red Mountain passes for all commercial vehicles, including buses and vans with a 16-passenger capacity.
In preparation for the ski season, Durango Mountain Resort is looking forward to opening Purgatory Mountain for skiing Friday the day after Thanksgiving.
Kim Oyler, director of communications for the resort, said the anticipated heavy, wet snow will provide a good base for coating the mountain. The crew is working on preparing the mountain for next week’s big opening, she said.
The snow-making process will continue after the storm ends, she said.
“Everyone at Purgatory is very excited for the season, and we are extremely stoked to see Mother Nature providing all this great snow for us right before opening day.”
Wolf Creek Ski Area reported 14 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours Friday morning, and it was still snowing.
Telluride is scheduled to open Thanksgiving Day.
vguthrie@durangoherald.com
