Because of adverse weather, U.S. Highway 550 south of Durango closed Saturday afternoon.
U.S. 160, west of Durango at the Four Corners, and at U.S. Highway 491 near Dove Creek were open as of 4 p.m. They were also temporarily closed Saturday morning.
The Colorado State patrol closed U.S. 491 in Montezuma County because of a vehicle pileup in Utah, Alvarado said.
The northbound lane of U.S. Highway 550 is closed from the New Mexico-Colorado border to Farmington Hill, the U.S. 550-160 intersection. The southbound lane is open. Road conditions included snow and ice around La Plata County as a winter storm passed through the area. Other road closures were lifted Saturday afternoon.U.S. Highway 160 east of Durango was temporarily closed Saturday morning because of several vehicle accidents, including an eight-car pileup. It was open as of 4 p.m.
U.S. 160, west of Durango at the Four Corners, and at U.S. Highway 491 near Dove Creek were open as of 4 p.m. They were also temporarily closed Saturday morning.
Colorado Department of Transportation announced chain and traction laws in effect for commercial vehicles traveling over Coal Bank, Molas, Red Mountain and Wolf Creek passes. Passenger vehicles should have appropriate snow or mud tires, chains or all-wheel drive.
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory in lower elevations until 8 p.m. and in the San Juan Mountains until 5 p.m. Sunday.
Vehicle accidents were being reported in Southwest Colorado throughout the day Saturday.
Law enforcement and Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Lisa Schwantes encouraged people to stay off the roads as much as possible.
If it’s necessary to drive, travelers can check road conditions at the CDOT CO Trip map.
CDOT announced chain and traction laws in effect for Coal Bank, Molas, Red Mountain and Wolf Creek passes.
CDOT spokeswoman Lisa Schwantes urged people to know before you go.
“Everyone has a different level of comfort for driving in snowy conditions. If you can hold off on your travel plans ... we would encourage that,” she said.
The National Weather Service said a winter weather advisory will be in effect for lower elevations in Montezuma County until 8 p.m.
An advisory is in effect for the San Juan Mountains until 5 a.m. Sunday.
“Overall, the snowfall rates are expected to enhance this afternoon into early evening,” said Matthew Aleksa, meteorologist. “Precipitation will come to an end late this evening toward midnight.”
Lower elevations could see 2 to 4 inches of snow, the higher foothills might receive 5 to 6 inches, and the San Juan Mountains could get 5 to 10 inches of snow.
“We’ll have periods of light snow and periods of moderate to heavy snow,” Aleksa said. “Any time you’re in heavy snow, it can impact visibility and road conditions.”
“It is the winter. We need to take the time to slow down, make sure that our tires are what’s required for the snow and just be patient,” said Cpl. Ivan Alvarado with Colorado State Patrol.
smullane@durangoherald.com