A storm dumped 2 to 6 inches of snow in the valleys of Southwest Colorado, and 8 to 15 inches in the San Juan Mountains on Monday.
The storm also brought cool temperatures that fell into the single digits late Monday and caused treacherous driving conditions, forcing school cancellations across La Plata County on Tuesday morning.
The storm was the result of a low-pressure system moving in from the West Coast, causing a cold front to travel into Southwest Colorado from Utah. According to the National Weather Service, freezing temperatures should ease by the end of the week.
Durango received 3.6 inches of snow by 7 a.m. Tuesday, said Dennis Phillips, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Bayfield received 4.2 inches; Ignacio got 2.3 inches; Hesperus recorded 1.6 inches; and Pagosa Springs ended up with 2 inches.
Road conditions remain a concern around the Durango area, with high winds and icy roads in certain areas. The Colorado Department of Transportation recommends caution when driving, especially on U.S. Highway 550 heading north from Durango and on U.S. Highway 160 heading east from Pagosa Springs.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is requiring snow tires or chains on tires driving on Highway 550 into Silverton, beginning at the Molas Lake turn off. Snow tires or chains are also required on Highway 160 eight miles east of Pagosa Springs, heading up Wolf Creek Pass.
The snowstorm was not a completely negative experience for many in Southwest Colorado, as many teachers and students woke up to learn school had been canceled for the day.
On Monday night, Durango School District 9-R announced schools would have a two-hour delay, and by 6 a.m. Tuesday, 9-R’s administration decided to cancel class for the day in collaboration with local emergency management services. Bayfield and Ignacio schools also canceled classes for the day.
Skiers and snowboarders welcomed the snowfall and headed for the mountains to experience the fresh powder.
Purgatory Resort added 8 inches of snow according to its website, Wolf Creek Ski Area reported a foot of new snow and Telluride Ski Resort received 4 inches of snow, though the area will be receiving more as the storm front moves north from the New Mexico border, Phillips said.
La Plata County and the rest of Southwest Colorado remained under a hazardous weather outlook advisory by the National Weather Service with a chance of blowing snow Tuesday night.
molsen@durangoherald.com
