The Four Corners region is expected to see snow and colder temperatures as a sprawling winter storm moves across two-thirds of the country.
The system is bringing heavy snow to some states and significant ice to others, placing hundreds of millions on alert for freezing rain or sleet. Dangerous cold this weekend could also trigger power outages in several regions.
The National Weather Service said Thursday the coldest air will affect the Midwest, Great Lakes and southern plains, with wind chills plunging well below zero and possibly below minus 50.
A winter weather advisory is in effect Friday and Saturday for Western Colorado.
In Montezuma County, the storm’s local impacts will include a rain-to-snow transition, moderate valley accumulations and heavier mountain snowfall. Forecasters say elevation and timing will be key, with the most significant travel issues expected Saturday morning, especially in higher terrain and along mountain passes in the San Juan Mountains.
Forecaster Kris Sanders said forecasters are confident the system will move through the region, though snowfall totals will vary based on elevation, location and temperature.
“A lot of places are going to be above freezing tomorrow morning or tomorrow during the day,” Sanders said. “So, some of the lower elevations could see rain at first.”
Snow is expected to begin in higher elevations of the San Juan Mountains as early as Thursday night. Precipitation should become more widespread and intensify Friday afternoon through Saturday. Lower elevations, including Cortez, may start with rain or a rain-snow mix before changing to snow overnight Friday as temperatures drop.
Along major travel corridors such as U.S. Highway 160 and U.S. Highway 491, Sanders said snowfall totals are forecast to range from about 1 to 4 inches, with areas like Hesperus and Pagosa Springs possibly receiving 6 inches or more.
Cortez is expected to receive 1 to 3 inches.
Mountain locations above 8,000 feet could pick up much higher amounts.
“The mountains are generally going to see about 6 to 12 inches,” Sanders said, noting that includes much of the San Juan range and areas along Highway 550, Highway 145 and Wolf Creek Pass.
Roads could become slick, and visibility may be reduced, especially at higher elevations.
“I think travel for Saturday morning is going to be the worst as far as impacts with the snow,” Sanders said. “So, that 8,000 feet and above could get more like pockets of moderate-to-heavy snow.”
Temperatures are expected to remain relatively mild during the storm, with highs in the upper 30s to low 40s Friday and Saturday across the Four Corners. Colder air will settle in after the system exits, and clearing skies could allow overnight lows to fall into the single digits Sunday and Monday mornings, especially in areas with fresh snow cover.
Snow showers may linger in the mountains into Saturday evening. Sanders said conditions should improve Sunday, with dry weather expected by Sunday afternoon across most of the region.
