The new year brought a brief dip in temperatures across Southwest Colorado, and some parts of La Plata County even saw a light dusting of snow. But for those hoping it marked a turning point toward more typical winter temperatures – don’t get your hopes up just yet.
Above-average temperatures are expected to persist for at least the next week, with highs in Durango running about 10 to 15 degrees warmer than normal, said David Byers, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.
The chance of snow is slim early next week, but rain showers are expected to start up again Monday and continue on-and-off throughout the week, he said.
Next week, highs are expected to reach 47 degrees and lows are expected to reach the low- to mid-20s, according to data from the Grand Junction National Weather Service.
Although temperatures have been higher than average across all elevations – Silverton was about 15 degrees warmer than average around the New Year’s – Byers said the region’s snowpack is in good shape.
“The San Juans actually aren’t doing too bad on their snowpack,” he said. “In the last couple of weeks, its improved.”
When can the Durango expect to see some colder weather? Possibly at the end of next week.
A deep trough system looks like it may move across the area, dropping temperatures back to normal, but after it moves on, Byers expects temperatures will rise back to above-average levels.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
