Durango could receive about 1½ inches of snow from two storms expected to blow through town this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
The forecast shows the first storm arriving early Friday and lasting through the afternoon with the potential of leaving almost an inch of snow in town. NWS meteorologist Scott Stearns said the storm could bring 4 to 6 inches around Coal Bank and Molas passes.
The second weekend storm is predicted to start late Saturday night with inconsistent flurries throughout Sunday morning before 10 a.m. Durango may receive only a half inch of snow, Stearns said.
“It’ll just be on and off with sporadic chances for showers, and it's not a great chance for a lot of snow, to be honest,” he said.
OpenSnow is calling for 9 inches at Purgatory Resort over the weekend, according to a newsletter sent this week from Purgatory Resort. Stearns said the prediction could be a stretch, and Purgatory is more likely to see between 4 and 6 inches total from the weekend storms.
“I suppose it’s possible, but I certainly wouldn’t anticipate it,” he said.
Purgatory Resort plans to open the Cherub run Friday connecting Paradise to Upper Demon down to the base.
On Saturday, the resort will be opening lift 7 and the magic carpet in the Columbine Beginner Area. The resort will also be opening the magic carpet lift near the base of lift 4.
Purgatory Spokeswoman Theresa Graven said the resort will proceed with the openings regardless of the snowfall amount.
“If there is more snow, likely more runs will open, but no specifics currently,” she said Thursday.
There’s a possibility for more snow mid- to late next week. Stearns said the storm could have better potential for moisture but it is too far out to make predictions with certainty.
“Various model solutions are indicating that the system is going to move across the Southwest United States at that time,” Stearns said. “And when we see better southwest flow associated with moisture and low-pressure systems moving across the Southwest U.S., it’s generally better for the southern parts of the state.”
The Climate Prediction Center suggests December is going to be slightly drier than normal in Durango and its surrounding areas.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
