Storm cells like Monday’s are expected to move through Southwest Colorado on Wednesday and Thursday.

Monday’s storm was expected to move on quickly.

“It’s like a lot of storms this winter,” said Tom Renwick, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, “It’s a quick, little wave that doesn’t have a lot of moisture associated with it.”

Most of the storms this winter have originated off the Northwest Coast, which generally doesn’t produce the largest snowfall amounts for Southwest Colorado, Renwick said.

Bigger snowstorms in the Four Corners tend to come from off the coast of California, he said.

“It all depends on where the jet stream sets up,” he said.

After Thursday, Renwick said the Four Corners should remain dry through Feb. 5. He added the winter is not over, and there is still time for the jet stream to move – bringing in storms with more snow punch to them to Southwest Colorado.

Despite the small accumulations left from each of the storms this winter, their frequency has kept regional snowpack healthy.

According to Colorado SNOTEL, the Animas, Dolores, San Juan and San Miguel river basins have 114% of their average 30-year snowpack as of Jan. 23.

On Sunday, Purgatory Resort reported a 46-inch base depth with nine of 12 lifts open. Telluride Ski Area reported a 45-inch base with all 17 lifts open. Wolf Creek Ski Area reported a 67-inch base with all nine lifts open.

parmijo@durangoherald.com