Up to 16 inches of snow is possible this weekend in the high country of Southwest Colorado, according the National Weather Service.
A cold front, coupled with a winter storm, is expected to bring a colder storm than the region has seen in weeks past. That means better accumulation, said Dennis Phillips, a meteorologist for the NWS in Grand Junction.
“This is a colder storm than we’ve seen,” he said. “So definitely, the snow will be lighter, less dense and accumulate better.”
Friday is forecast to remain sunny and relatively warm in Durango, with daytime highs in the mid-50s. But starting Saturday, the storm is expected to enter the region.
Phillips said light snow could start Friday night, but the best chance for snowfall is expected Saturday afternoon into the evening. The snow is expected to continue into early Sunday morning.
During that time, the high country could see anywhere from 8 to 16 inches of snow. For lower elevations along the U.S. Highway 160 corridor from Pagosa Springs to Cortez, the NWS predicts 2 to 4 inches of accumulation.
“It’ll continue to wind down Sunday throughout the day and be out of the valley by mid-morning,” Phillips said. “Some snow may linger in the high country (Sunday).”
Phillips said precipitation may start to fall Saturday in Durango as rain, but as the cold front moves in throughout the day, it should turn to snow.
The storm is expected to affect travel, he said.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
