The Pacific storm moving toward the Southwest could drop up to 3 feet of snow on some Colorado mountains this weekend, including the San Juans.
“The mountains are going to be pummeled with precipitation,” said meteorologist Jim Pringle of the Grand Junction office of the National Weather Service. “It’s going to be high density and start fairly high, with snow levels dropping in elevation gradually.”
The National Weather Service has issued a slew of winter storm warnings and watches and winter weather and wind advisories for eastern Utah and most of Colorado beginning on Friday. Snow is forecasted to start between 8,000 and 9,000 feet and drop below 7,000 feet, with Durango seeing primarily rain but could get 1 to 2 inches of snow by Saturday morning.
“As of two days ago, the (computer) models we look at – the European, the Canadian, and two within the weather service – have all had a high degree of confidence this storm is coming,” Pringle said. “I know a lot of people had outdoor activities planned this weekend – fishing, camping – but I’m afraid we can count on another unsettled weekend next weekend, too.”
The winter storm warning for the eastern San Juans, including Wolf Creek Pass, is in effect from noon Friday to 6 a.m. Sunday. One to 3 feet of snow are expected at higher elevations along the Continental Divide, with winds of 15 to 25 mph.
Similar warnings have been issued for areas of the Front Range, eastern mountain ranges, the Upper Arkansas Valley and the Wet Mountain Valley. Travel is expected to be treacherous on mountain passes, including Molas, Coal Bank, Red Mountain, Wolf Creek, La Veta, and Poncha.
The moisture-packing storm is expected to drop heavy snow that is likely to break tree branches and bring down power lines in some places.
abutler@durangoherald.com
