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Major storm expected

A foot of snow possible in town

For the second weekend in a row, Durango should prepare for snow.

A foot may fall in Durango during a 24-hour period starting Friday night, said meteorologist Joe Ramey, with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction. But since snow started falling Thursday night, Durango is guaranteed to wake up with at least a wet morning.

The snow may ease Sunday, but snow is predicted to start falling again Monday and continue through at least Tuesday.

But the majority of the snow is expected to fall Friday night. It will start as a wet snow and rain mix and turn to a steady snowfall at night, Ramey said.

“It will be all white, all the time,” he said.

It shouldn’t be remarkably cold with highs Friday and Saturday in the mid-30s.

The storm is also expected to bring strong winds particularly across higher elevation along U.S. Highway 550. Gusts could hit 30 to 40 mph in the mountains, but they could also blow through the valleys, Ramey said.

Travel is expected to be hazardous Friday night and Saturday.

“We cannot state this enough: Please slow down and drive for the conditions,” said John Palmer, deputy maintenance superintendent for the Colorado Department of Transportation Section 3, headquartered in Durango. “We will be plowing and de-icing roadways around the clock. But when the snow accumulation is rapid, motorists have to do their part and drive accordingly.”

Ramey agreed.

“This is a good time to hunker down and enjoy the weekend at home or get where you want to be and stay there,” he said.

Wolf Creek Pass is expected to get the most snow in the region, with a potential 4-foot accumulation.

“It should be fabulous skiing,” Ramey said.

CDOT expects Red Mountain, Molas, Coal Bank and Wolf Creek passes will close occasionally for avalanche control, said spokeswoman Nancy Shanks. She also encouraged drivers to slow down during wet and slick conditions and give snowplows plenty of space.

mshinn@durangoherald.com

On the Net

For weather alerts and temporary road closures, travelers can check cotrip.org.



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