Spring may have sprung, but the snow is still falling in parts of Southwest Colorado.
The National Weather Service forecasted up to 3 inches or more of snow to fall in parts of the San Juan Mountains on Saturday, and for some areas such as Silverton, a Winter Storm Warning, Winter Weather Advisory and a Hazardous Outlook all are in effect.
On Saturday morning, city residents woke to heavy snow weighing down branches and shrubs sagging with accumulation. North and west of town, snow fell into the afternoon.
Bouts of such inclement weather are typical for the region in spring, but considering the relentless storm systems that have moved through the area over the past month, this particular one-after-the-other weather pattern is unusual, NWS forecasters said.
“This is a pattern we’ve been seeing over and over for the last four weeks, so it’s anomalous in that way,” said NWS meteorologist Paul Frisbie. “We’re watching these relatively strong weather systems form over the California coast and move across the desert southwest into our region.”
Weather officials have predicted a May and spring with above normal precipitation, and the current conditions support that, although Sunday and Monday may see a brief break in precipitation.
“We expect more sunshine (Sunday), especially in the valleys,” Frisbie said. “There could still be some mountain showers.”
Friday and Saturday, snow accumulated below 9,000 feet. In the upcoming week, any snowfall should be isolated to higher elevations.
“Monday may start out looking nice, but the clouds move on in, and we have another big system coming in late in the afternoon that will continue into Tuesday with more showers and thunderstorms and possibly snow down to the mountain passes, right around 10,000 feet or so.”
And more is in the forecast, but it’s too soon to tell if the weather will cut short the upcoming Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. It wouldn’t be the first time weather played a hand in the race.
Race director Gaige Sippy said the IHBC hired its own meteorologist this year to help track the storms.
“It’s the winter we didn’t get,” he said. “I think it finally came, which I’m happy for from a moisture standpoint, because forest fires aren’t that great.”
Sippy said they’re keeping an eye on things so they can make the best possible decisions.
“This is not uncommon for us through the years,” Sippy said. “It’s always looked iffy.”
He said the weather models can change.
“I’m pretty confident that there’s going to be moisture; it’s just can we find a window in there to get done what we need to get done.”
Officials will try to make a decision on the race to Silverton no later than 6 a.m. Saturday, May 23.
Frisbie said time will tell.
“It’s just been an ongoing pattern,” Frisbie said. “We see that extending into next week and perhaps even into Memorial Day weekend.”
Sunday’s high for the Taste of Durango should be around 61. Monday may be sunny and warm, highs near 70, but storms are expected to return Monday around midnight.
bmathis@durangoherald.com
