The first of two winter storms arrived in Southwest Colorado early Thursday. Here’s the latest on the storm and weather-related issues:
Update 10:35 p.m.
The source of Thursday night’s electric power outage in Durango was discovered and equipment repaired after 10 p.m.
Update 9:30 p.m.
The outage west of Junction Creek was likely caused by a downed power line, but crews have yet to find it, Indiana Reed, a spokeswoman for the La Plata Electric Association said.
Anyone with information can call 247-5786.
Update 8:30 p.m.
A power outage west of Junction Creek is affecting about 1,000 customers, according to a news release from La Plata Electric Association.
Delwood Avenue, Arroyo and Clovis Drives are all part of the affected area.
Update 5 p.m.
Skiers were enjoying fresh powder at area ski resorts Thursday.
Wolf Creek received 9 inches in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 60 inches at the summit.
“It’s really kind of a wet snow; it’s fast riding,” said Roseanne Pitcher, vice president of marketing and sales.
Purgatory Resort received 11 inches in the last 24 hours, bring the total base depth to 39 inches.
“The conditions are fantastic, great skiing, great powder,” said Kim Oyler, a spokeswoman for the resort.
About 95 percent of the mountain is open, and crews are opening more trails daily, she said.
Snow totals across the southern San Juan Mountains varied between 4 to 9 inches, said Dan Cuevas, a technician with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.
The Durango-La Plata County Airport received a mix of snow and rain throughout the day and 0.79 inches of precipitation, he said.
Update 4 p.m.
Power has been restored to all but one La Plata Electric Association customer in Vallecito, according to a news release.
At the peak of the outage, there were 3,100 people without power, the statement said.
The National Weather Service expects rain and snow to continue in the region through the night. The winter storm warning for the mountains and the winter weather advisory for lower elevations, including Durango, are set to expire at 8 a.m. Friday.
Durango is expected to see 1 to 3 inches of snow overnight.
Update 2 p.m.
The Durango-La Plata County Airport was likely to see rolling delays for the rest of the afternoon after two planes were rerouted this morning, Interim Aviation Director Tony Vicari said.
Both planes were diverted because of low visibility, but have arrived, he said.
Low visibility and de-icing operations were expected to continue to delay departures.
A snow-rain mix was falling shortly after 1:30 p.m. at the airport, Vicari said.
“It’s starting to sock in now,” he said.
Flights should be back on schedule by Friday morning, he said.
United Airlines computers crashed at the Durango-La Plata County Airport as well, and travelers were being manually checked-in, a Durango Herald reporter said.
Update 1:30 p.m.
Power was restored to 2,200 customers on Florida Mesa and around County Road 234, the La Plata Electric Association said on social media.
About 100 customers remain without power, according LPEA’s website.
Update 12:50 p.m.
Power was restored to 673 customers near Sunnyside Elementary School in southern La Plata County as of 12:30 p.m. Power was lost at 10:50 a.m. because of a downed line, according to a La Plata Electric Association statement.
The large power outage in the Florida Mesa and County Road 234 area affecting 2,200 customers served by the Falfa substation was ongoing. Crews were at the substation testing equipment, the statement said.
If no damage is found, LPEA will steadily and safely re-energize the lines.
Power could be restored within an hour, said Justin Talbot, LPEA operations manager.
If equipment must be repaired or replaced, the outage could extend to up to four hours.
In that case, LPEA’s operations team will work to provide power to as many customers as possible via alternate circuits, the statement said.
Update 12:30 p.m.
There was a midday break in the storm Thursday in Durango, but rain in town and snow in the mountains was expected to continue through the afternoon, said Chris Cuoco, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.
The roads are expected to get slick after sunset because they will be wet when the temperature drops below freezing and snow starts to fall, he said.
For those preparing to travel over the holiday weekend, Cuoco advises driving on Friday or early Saturday.
The greatest chance for significant snow accumulation is expected to be Saturday, he said.
This a somewhat narrower travel window than the Weather Service recommended Wednesday.
The second storm, expected to begin midday Saturday, is likely to hit all regional mountain passes hard including Wolf Creek, Red Mountain and Lizard Head.
He advised travelers to prepare for road closures and crashes with warm clothes and food.
“You may have to hunker down in your car for a couple of hours,” he said.
He advised travelers wait until Monday before returning from their Christmas destinations.
“There will be a good bit of sun Monday and Tuesday,” he said.
Update 11:30 a.m.
There were about 3,000 customers without power throughout La Plata and Archuleta counties, according to a statement by La Plata Electric Association.
The largest outage was along U.S. Highway 160 east, near Elmore’s Corner and Florida Mesa Elementary School, where 2,200 customers were out of power.
This outage was likely caused by moisture in a substation.
At the most it could take four hours to repair this outage, said Justin Talbot, LPEA operations manager.
A downed power line left 673 customers without power near Sunnyside Elementary School.
The other outages were fairly small.
There were ongoing reports of cars sliding off area roads, collisions and semitrailers pulling off roadways to put on chains.
Update 9:30 a.m.
Fort Lewis College police posted to its Twitter page that Front Hill Road (East Eighth Avenue) is closed.
A chain law is in effect for Coal Bank, Molas, Red Mountain and Wolf Creek passes for all commercial vehicles.
Emergency radio traffic indicated numerous cars had slid off area roadways.
A 9:43 a.m. United flight out of Durango to Denver was delayed until 12:30 p.m. A 12:15 p.m. American Airlines flight to Phoenix was delayed until 12:45 p.m. Several incoming flights to Durango-La Plata County Airport also have been delayed.
Purgatory Resort reported 5 inches of new snow since 9 a.m., with the snow continuing to fall.
A winter storm warning is in effect until 8 a.m. Friday for the San Juan Mountains, including the towns of Silverton, Ouray, Lake City, Telluride and Hesperus. The lower elevations, including Durango, Mancos and Bayfield, are under a winter weather advisory.
Check back at durangoherald.com for updates.
Travel information
The Colorado Department of Transportation reminds motorists to check for updated weather information:
Visit www.cotrip.org for real-time road conditions, highway closures, average speeds, photos, live cameras streaming traffic, trucking information and more.
Call 511 to listen to recorded information about road conditions, projected trip travel times and trucker information.
Receive free email/text alerts at www.codot.gov/travel; choose from a list of subscription options at the “get connected” tab.
Follow @coloradodot on Twitter for traveler information and other news.
Like CDOT at www.facebook.com/coloradodot to receive news and traveler information.
Visit www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving to get information about road conditions, what to keep in a vehicle during the winter, how to safely pass a snowplow, commercial-vehicle requirements, seasonal closures, snow removal and avalanche control.
Herald Staff
