Strong winds are being blamed for slick roads, canceled airline flights and blowing over a hoop house Monday in the Animas Valley.
Problems started about 6 a.m. when a smidgen of moisture accompanied by strong winds caused flash freezing on area roads, just in time for the Monday morning commute.
“Instead of the snow hitting the pavement and melting, it hit the pavement and iced over,” said Doyle Villers, road and bridge maintenance supervisor for La Plata County. “It was a combination of black ice and snowpack.”
Several crashes were reported throughout the county as a result of the slick roads, Villers said.
The moisture didn’t stick around, but the wind did. A high-wind advisory was issued for much of the state, including the Denver metro area where United Airlines canceled dozens of flights, including at least four to and from Durango.
“We’re definitely seeing impacts from wind,” said Toni Vicari, interim director of Durango-La Plata County Airport. “For us, it’s all Denver-based issues.”
Despite strong winds in Southwest Colorado, American Airlines continued flying flights to Durango from Dallas and Phoenix, Vicari said.
“It’s probably created a bumpy ride for passengers,” he said.
Strong winds from the south whipped up the Animas Valley and destroyed a large hoop house Monday afternoon at James Ranch. At least half of the massive greenhouse appeared heavily damaged.
Efforts to reach someone at the ranch were not immediately successful Monday afternoon.
Chain laws were in effect on Red Mountain and Molas passes.
Monday’s challenging weather is expected to clear out quickly.
The National Weather Service expects mostly sunny skies Tuesday with afternoon winds only reaching 5 mph and a high of 44. By Thursday, the weather service expects the daily high will hit 60.
shane@durangoherald.com
