A winter weather advisory has been issued for Southwest Colorado as the third wave of a winter storm is expected to hit the region Monday evening and last until Tuesday.
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction issued the advisory, which takes effect 5 p.m. Monday and extends until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
During this time, up to 4 inches of snow could fall in low elevation areas around Durango, Bayfield, Ignacio, Cortez, Mancos, Pagosa Springs and Dove Creek.
The majority of snow is expected to fall overnight Monday into Tuesday. Travel is expected to be impacted.
In the high country of the San Juan Mountains, up to 9 inches of new snow could accumulate, especially in areas around Silverton, Hesperus, Ouray, Telluride, Lake City and Rico.
The Weather Service said cold wind chills could drop temperatures to as low as 20 degrees below zero, which could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
Travel on mountain passes is expected to be impacted.
The Colorado Department of Transportation announced U.S. Highway 550 at Red Mountain Pass and U.S. Highway 160 at Wolf Creek Pass will be closed Tuesday morning for an extended period of time as crews conduct winter maintenance work.
The Red Mountain closure will begin at 7 a.m. Tuesday. The closure at Wolf Creek will start at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Eastbound traffic will be stopped near milepost 157 near Treasure Falls, and westbound traffic will be stopped at the top of Wolf Creek Pass, just west of Wolf Creek Ski Area at milepost 167.
Two-hour or longer delays are expected on both mountain passes, and drivers are urged to allow extra time for travel.
It was unclear if any closures are expected for Coal Bank or Molas passes.
A series of winter storms the past several days have given a much-needed boost to snowpack in Southwest Colorado.
Wolf Creek Ski Area is reporting 35 inches of new snow in the past 72 hours. Purgatory Resort is reporting 25 inches of new snow in the last six days.
Southwest Colorado, which includes the Animas, Dolores, San Miguel and San Juan river basins, is now at 87% of normal, historic averages for snowpack for this time of year.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
