In anticipation of Tuesday night’s snowstorm, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the San Juan Mountains, which calls for up to 2 feet of snow in the high country.
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction said the winter storm warning took effect 6 p.m. Tuesday night and will last through Wednesday evening, carrying the chance of heavy snow and difficult travel conditions.
Total snow accumulations are expected to hit 10 to 20 inches in elevations above 8,500 feet, with localized amounts reaching 2 feet, the National Weather Service said.
Though the winter storm took effect Tuesday night, the heaviest accumulations are expected Wednesday morning, bringing with it wind gusts as high as 35 mph, patchy and drifting snow.
As a result, motorists should expect messy commutes on Wednesday.
The storm system is expected to hit the northwest and southwest San Juan Mountains, including the towns of Hesperus and Silverton, as well as Telluride, Rico and Ouray.
The Grand and Battlement Mesas, West Elk and Sawatch Mountains are also included in the winter storm watch.
In Durango, there’s an 80 percent chance of rain and snow Wednesday, with temperatures in the low 40s. The chance of snow in town increases after 4 p.m., though the National Weather Service says new snow accumulation should be less than a half inch.
The storm is expected to leave the region by Wednesday night.
Thursday is forecast to return to clear skies and mild temperatures in the 40s.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
