Durango could see rain Sunday and a light rain-snow mix overnight that is not expected to leave much on the ground. However, 1 to 3 inches could be added to the snowpack in the San Juan Mountains above 10,000 feet.
Mike Charnick, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, said, “Durango won’t see much of anything – some light rain. Overnight, it might change to a rain-snow mix, enough to cover the grass. Silverton could see up to 3 inches of snow.”
The storm is expected to begin producing precipitation after 2 p.m. in Durango, and Charnick said the storm is expected to move out of Southwest Colorado by noon Monday.
Like Durango, Cortez can expect isolated rain showers beginning Sunday afternoon and a light rain-snow mix overnight Sunday into Monday morning. The chance for precipitation in Cortez is only 20% Sunday and 30% Sunday night and Monday morning.
The chance of snow is higher in the high country, with Silverton listed as having a 70% chance of receiving snow beginning Sunday afternoon and extending through early afternoon Monday.
After this storm, which is coming from the west, off the coast of California, moves out, Charnick expected clearing skies early next week.
The next chance of precipitation, he said, will be a slight chance of snow in the high country on Thursday, but the Thursday storm is unlikely to bring any precipitation to lower elevations of Southwest Colorado.
The snowpack in Southwest Colorado – covering the Animas, Dolores, San Juan and San Miguel Rivers – was listed on Sunday at 100% of the 30-year average by Colorado SNOTEL.
The avalanche risk in the San Juan Mountains was listed as moderate on Sunday by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
parmijo@durangoherald.com
