A late winter storm is expected to drop moisture in Southwest Colorado on Friday, but snow and freezing conditions likely will be limited to the high country, according to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.
The Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for 3 a.m. to midnight Friday in the southwest San Juan Mountains at elevations above 8,500 feet. The high country could get up to 6 inches of snow, while the valleys likely will get rain, said meteorologist Jonathon Klepatzki.
The highest concentration of moisture is expected midday Friday, he said. High temperatures are expected to reach the mid-50s in Southwest Colorado’s valleys, and the mid-30s in the mountains, Klepatzki said.
Overnight temperatures Friday could dip into the 20s at higher elevations, causing slick conditions on Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain passes, he said.
“In reality, things will melt pretty quickly,” Klepatzki said.
Another storm is predicted to hit the region early next week, but Klepatzki said Thursday it was too soon to offer predictions.
Onthesnow.com predicts Purgatory Resort could get up to 4 inches of snow Friday. Wolf Creek could get up to 6 inches, and Silverton Mountain could get 2 inches.
Southwest Colorado remained in moderate to severe drought as of March 10, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Snowpack for the region remains below average.
bhauff@durangoherald.com