Snow started flying Thursday afternoon north of Durango on Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain passes, and a winter storm warning was issued for higher elevations in Southwest Colorado and the central mountains.

The Colorado Department of Transportation issued chain-law restrictions for commercial vehicles on all three passes and required chains, snow tires or four-wheel drive for all passenger vehicles on Red Mountain, where webcams showed snowy and icy conditions. No snow was falling as of 8:30 p.m. on Wolf Creek Pass.

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction is calling for up to 2 feet of snow in the San Juan Mountains through Saturday.

Lower elevations such as Cortez, Durango and Pagosa Springs are expected to receive mostly rain, but there is a chance of snow, especially Friday night, when a blast of cold air moves into the region.

Herald Staff Writer Ann Butler contributed to this report.