A westerly storm blanketed Southwest Colorado with about 1 to 3 inches of snow early Monday, making the morning commute slippery and slow-going for some.
The storm hit about 3 or 4 a.m. and was finished by 6 a.m., said Chris Sanders, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.
The Colorado State Patrol said drivers were, for the most part, staying in control. However, a trooper did respond to a non-injury crash near County Road 502 and U.S. Highway 160, near Gem Village, he said.
“So far so good, and it looks like the sun is coming out,” Capt. Adrian Driscoll said about 9 a.m. Monday.
As of 7 a.m. Monday, the National Weather Service reported 3 inches at Purgatory Resort, 2½ inches near Hermosa, 1½ inches around Vallecito Reservoir, 1.2 inches just northwest of Durango, 1½ to 2 inches in Pagosa Springs and a half-inch in Cortez.
The southern edge of the storm grazed the San Juan Mountains, Sanders said.
Another storm is expected to move in late Thursday or early Friday. That storm, coming from farther south, is expected to bring more moisture than Monday’s storm, Sanders said.
“Signs are it could (bring) a little bit of snow for you guys,” he said. “... It doesn’t look like it’s anything to write home about, but definitely better than what we’ve been seeing lately.”
shane@durangoherald.com
