The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning until 9 a.m. Saturday for the San Juan and Abajo Mountains, and a winter storm advisory for lower elevations until 6 p.m. Friday.
In the mountains, snowfall is expected to intensify Friday into Saturday, with 10 to 12 inches of accumulated snow. Local towns affected include Rico, Ophir, Telluride, Ridgway, Hesperus, Silverton, and Monticello, Utah. Winds are expected at 20 to 30 mph, gusting to 45 mph through Friday in the San Juans. Mountain roads are icy and snowpacked, and blowing snow will reduce visibility.
In the valleys, the winter storm advisory is for snow and blowing snow in the cities of Cortez, Dolores, Mancos, Dove Creek, Durango, Bayfield and Ignacio. Periods of moderate to heavy snow will be possible into Friday, with snow accumulation of 3 to 6 inches. Gusty winds well create blowing snow and reduce visibility.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center has issued an avalanche advisory for the south San Juan Mountains into the weekend. The recent storm left behind dangerous avalanche conditions. A combination 2 to 4 feet of new snowfall and strong westerly winds created cohesive slabs at all elevations. Some large explosive triggered avalanches have run since Tuesday. More snow is in the forecast over the next 24 hours.
Human-triggered avalanches are likely on steep slopes; natural and remotely-triggered avalanches are possible as well. Safe backcountry travel in the next few days will require cautious terrain choices. Stay off slopes steeper than about 30 degrees and avoid travel below large avalanche paths to avoid avalanches.
For a safer skiing experience, check out the local ski areas.
As of Thursday, Ski Hesperus had a 38-inch base with eight inches of fresh.
“It’s powder conditions with more snow than we had all last year,” said owner Jim Pitcher. He said night skiing will begin after the holidays.
Powder and packed powder conditions prevail at Telluride as well. As of Thursday, the resort had 124-inch base with 17 inches of fresh snow in the past 48 hours.
A Christmas storm will hit southwest Colorado and southeast Utah Friday and Saturday, said Dennis Phillips, a NWS meteorologist. The mountains will get the brunt of the storm, and snowfall is expected to be 3 to 6 inches in Cortez.
“The jet stream is taking a turn more towards the south pulling in storms and colder air,” Phillips said. “Extended forecasts next week show nothing major with lower than normal temperatures.”
The current storm will begin to clear out Saturday afternoon, and Sunday is forecast for sunny skies and cold temperatures.
“Expect lows in the single digits and highs in the twenties,” said local weather watcher Jim Andrus.
Snowpack is above normal for the year. As of Dec. 24, the Dolores and San Miguel basins are at 139 percent of normal precipitation for the year.
