Up to 15 inches expected Wednesday and Thursday north of Durango
Vehicle traction laws were in effect Tuesday on U.S. Highway 550 on Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain passes. Another winter storm is expected to hit Wednesday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A Colorado Department of Transportation snowplow makes short work of accumulation on U.S Highway 550 between Coal Bank and Molas passes on Tuesday. The passes were closed Monday night through late Tuesday morning by the storm. Another storm is expected Wednesday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Fresh snow graces trees Tuesday on Coal Bank Pass. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The snow-depth pole on Coal Bank Pass now shows about 4 feet accumulation on Tuesday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Colorado Department of Transportation snowplows clear U.S Highway 550 between Coal Bank and Molas passes on Tuesday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Colorado Department of Transportation snowplows clear U.S Highway 550 between Coal Bank and Molas passes on Tuesday. Another storm is expected Wednesday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jennifer Stengel makes her way back to her car Tuesday while snowshoeing near Haviland Lake. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jennifer Stengel makes her way back to her car Tuesday while snowshoeing near Haviland Lake. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Scott Wilson makes his way to Haviland Lake on Tuesday after several inches of new snow fell. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Clouds break on Coal Bank Pass revealing mountains covered by a couple of feet of new snow. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Hermosa Cliffs are partially covered Tuesday after several inches of new snow fell Monday night and early Tuesday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Colorado Department of Transportation crews were mitigating avalanche dangers Tuesday on Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain passes. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A winter weather advisory is in effect for the San Juan Mountains as a storm approaches that could drop more than a foot of snow in the high country north of Durango.
The National Weather Service issued the advisory for the towns of Hesperus, Rico and Silverton, which is in effect from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 6 p.m. Thursday.
During that time, the Weather Service says to expect difficult travel as snow and blowing snow is likely, with wind gusts as high as 35 mph. Significant impacts to travel are expected late Wednesday and Thursday morning.
“Be prepared for snow-covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving,” the advisory says.
Anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of snow accumulation is expected over the San Juan Mountains, though the Weather Service says there could be localized amounts of up to 15 inches in some areas.
The NWS says that in higher elevations, snow showers are likely to start after 11 p.m. Wednesday, with patchy blowing snow between 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday. The heaviest snowfall is expected to fall overnight, with lows around 12 degrees.
On Thursday, snow showers are expected to continue until about noon, with the chance of snow diminishing throughout the day before another storm is slated to hit the region on Friday.
In Durango, snow showers are likely to start after 2 a.m. Thursday, with lows around 19 degrees. Overnight, the NWS says up to 3 inches of snow may fall in town.
Forecasters are calling for a chance of scattered snow showers Thursday as temperatures remain near 34 degrees. Less than an inch of snow may fall during the day.
Friday’s storm may also bring snowfall to Durango.
All winter weather is expected to exit the region by Saturday morning. The NWS says the weekend should remain mostly sunny with highs in the mid- to upper-30s.
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