Durango could potentially receive moisture this week, as the seven-day forecast calls for rainstorms through Friday.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Scott Stearns said that areas in Southwest Colorado including Durango, Cortez and Pagosa Springs could experience between half an inch and three-fourths of an inch of rain.
Stearns said it’s likely that higher elevations will receive more precipitation.
“There's no huge guarantees that any particular location is going to get a bunch of rainfall,” Stearns said.
He said Southwest Colorado is more likely to receive more precipitation than the northern parts of the Western Slope.
“The moisture is more concentrated (in Southwest Colorado). It came from the southwestern US. It’s just a little bit closer and will likely stay south on that part of the forecast area,” Stearns said.
Even though this winter produced above average snowfall for the area, an arid summer has caused the area’s precipitation levels to fall below average by an inch.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of the northern part of La Plata County is categorized as abnormally dry, while the southern parts of the county including Durango labeled as moderate drought status.
Archuleta County has experienced an even drier summer, as the southern parts of the county have entered severe drought status, while the southwestern portion of Montezuma County has entered moderate drought status.
Stearns said that after Friday, Southwest Colorado will start to dry out. He said it’s too early to predict what the coming weeks will look like in regards to moisture. This week’s storms will likely provide a decent amount of lightning, he said.
The seven-day forecast calls for up to 90% chances of showers in Durango on Wednesday, while Thursday shows up to an 80% chance.
Cortez shows a 70% chance of showers on Wednesday with a 60% chance on Thursday. Pagosa Springs can expect up to an 80% chance of rain on Wednesday and a 70% chance on Thursday.
La Plata County, San Juan National Forest and Bureau of Land Management rescinded its Stage 1 fire restrictions on Aug. 31.
However, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe still has stage 1 fire restrictions enacted.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
