Forecasters are calling for more snow this week in Southwest Colorado, beginning Tuesday night and carrying into Thursday morning.
Durango could receive 11 inches from the storm with winds that could reach 35 mph on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Mountain passes may face closures with Molas and Red Mountain passes expected to get between 1 and 2 feet of snow, most of which is expected Wednesday. Wolf Creek Pass could receive 2 feet of snow.
Forecasters are calling for 8 to 10 inches of snow in Pagosa Springs and up to 8 inches in Cortez.
National Weather Service meteorologist Tom Renwick said the predictions could change, but the region should expect some snowfall this week.
“What we’ve got going is a low-pressure system off the coast of California that's kind of slowly dropped down and it will eventually get to Arizona,” Renwick said. “And the circulation around the low-pressure system is going to bring in all this moisture over from the Pacific, much like we’ve been seeing.”
Durango and Cortez have already surpassed snow totals from last winter. Data from the National Weather Service shows Durango has received 49 inches of snow so far this winter compared to the 24 inches from the 2021-22 winter season. Cortez has received 52.6 inches this winter compared the 20.6 inches last year.
It is likely to be cloudy all week with freezing temperatures. Renwick said Durango’s average high temperature for this time of year is around 51 degrees but that this week’s high won’t surpass 39 degrees.
Temperatures may increase Sunday, but Renwick said it is too early to predict with any certainty.
Early forecast predictions call for the possibility of another storm on March 8, but the latest forecast models are showing that storm may stay in New Mexico and not make it this far north, Renwick said.
tbrown@durangohearld.com
