A fresh blanket of snow made for a slippery commute Tuesday morning in Southwest Colorado, leading to a smattering of crashes across the region.
The early morning storm dumped at least a couple of inches as of 9 a.m. in Durango with more in the high country.
The precipitation was expected to continue through the morning, possibly turning to rain this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.
The Durango Police Department responded to at least two crashes as of 8:30 a.m., including one near 16th Street and Main Avenue and another near Holly Avenue in northeast Durango, according to scanner reports. Traffic was slow-going as drivers navigated slippery hills and the roundabout on Florida Road.
The city issued an accident alert about 9:15 a.m., meaning drivers involved in minor crashes are asked to exchange names, phone numbers and insurance information, and report the crash online with the Colorado State Patrol at www.colorado.gov/csp.
Colorado State Patrol also responded to crashes, but none involving serious injury as of 9 a.m., said Capt. Adrian Driscoll, with the CSP. One of the crashes occurred near County Road 228, northeast of Elmore’s Corner, and another occurred in the Cortez area.
“We’re busy, but nothing serious so far,” Driscoll said.
Warming temperatures are expected to melt area roads by mid-morning or early afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
The storm is expected to taper off this afternoon, making way for mostly clear skies the rest of the week.
shane@durangoherald.com
