An overnight storm created slick conditions Thursday morning on Red Mountain Pass, prompting the Colorado Department of Transportation to issue a chain law on U.S. Highway 550.
Webcams showed a stark difference between the 11,018-foot mountain pass, which was covered in snow, and the city of Durango 60 miles south, which had blue skies.
Tom Renwick, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, said an isolated storm moved into the area late Wednesday night and left snow in the high country south of Ouray. Coal Bank and Molas passes remained dry, and the sun was shining Thursday morning in Silverton, Hermosa and Durango.
The storm was expected to leave the area by Thursday afternoon, and warm temperatures, expected to continue through Friday, will likely melt away any snow left on Red Mountain Pass.
CDOT issued a chain law at 9:30 a.m. Thursday for Red Mountain Pass, but the advisory was lifted shortly before 11:45 a.m.
Renwick said another winter storm is forecast to arrive late Saturday night and continue through Sunday. Snow is predicted north of Durango in the high country and at lower elevations, possibly as far south as Hermosa.
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fstone@durangoherald.com
