The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the San Juan Mountains of Western Colorado that includes 8 to 14 inches of snow from 6 a.m. Monday until 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Snowfall is expected about 9,000 feet in elevation. Winds are expected to reach 35 mph.
Travel could be very difficult, the weather service said.
Montezuma and La Plata counties are likely to receive rain. There’s a 90% chance of rain from 5 a.m. Monday to Monday night, and a 50% chance of rain on Tuesday. High temperatures are expected to reach the lower 50s on Monday and the upper 50s on Tuesday. Overnight lows are expected to be in the upper 30s.
Skies are expected to begin clearing Wednesday afternoon, the weather service said, and sunny skies are expected to return Thursday through Saturday, with high temperatures climbing into the lower 70s by Saturday.
The weather service also issued a flood advisory for Lost Canyon Creek near Dolores until 5:45 p.m. Tuesday. The creek is mostly staying within its channel but is over its banks in some sections.
Gauge reports indicate that minor lowland flooding may occur near Lost Canyon Creek. Peak flows will occur during the next few nights. As of Monday, the creek was flowing at 311 cubic feet per second.
“Excessive runoff from snow melt will cause creeks, streams and rivers to rise,” according to the advisory. “Minor flooding along the banks and in low lying areas will be possible.”
The Montezuma County sheriff is warning boaters that rising water has created debris flows on the Dolores River upstream from Dolores. On Monday the river was flowing at 1940 cfs.