{"id":43230,"date":"2021-12-15T19:51:17","date_gmt":"2021-12-16T02:51:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/overnight-storm-blankets-cortez-area-with-fresh-snow\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T03:12:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T09:12:23","slug":"overnight-storm-blankets-cortez-area-with-fresh-snow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/overnight-storm-blankets-cortez-area-with-fresh-snow\/","title":{"rendered":"Overnight storm blankets Cortez area with fresh snow"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Spencer
Spencer Burke, Andrew Reagan and Rex take a morning walk through the snow in Cortez after work was delayed because of the storm. (Jim Mimiaga\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

An overnight storm brought a wintry blast of 80 mph winds, blowing snow and icy roads to Southwest Colorado early Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n

Snowfall totals include 4 inches for Dolores, 6 inches for Rico, 1.5 inches for Cortez, 2 inches for Durango and 5 inches for Pagosa Springs, said Mark Miller, meteorologist for the National Weather Service.<\/p>\n

The snow started falling about 4 a.m. Wednesday, said Colorado Department of Transportation Maintenance Supervisor Dusty Ledford, then moved on to eastern Colorado, along with its 80 mph winds.<\/p>\n

As of 8 a.m., snow accumulation had reached 3 to 6 inches along U.S. Highway 160 between Cortez and Pagosa Springs with 10 inches on Wolf Creek Pass, Ledford said.<\/p>\n

National Weather Service observer Jim Andrus said the fast-moving storm brought high winds of 64 mph at 3:14 a.m. and 59 mph at 4:02 a.m. in Cortez.<\/p>\n

He said recent cold, polar storms have broken down the high-pressure ridge over the Four Corners and brought rain and snow, Andrus said.<\/p>\n

The risk of avalanches in the southern San Juan Mountains has increased to \u201cconsiderable\u201d above and below treeline \u2013 Level 3 on a scale of one to five. The Colorado Department of Transportation plans avalanche control work in mountain passes Thursday morning.<\/p>\n

\"Father
Father Lorenzo Uribe, of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, shovels snow in front of the parish office. (Jim Mimiaga\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The
The storm added a winter touch to area yards decked out for the holidays. (Jim Mimiaga\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Local
Local businesses were out shoveling Wednesday morning, including Nikki Rosenbaugh, of Obe's Angels and Thrift Store on Main Street in Cortez. (Jim Mimiaga\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Schools took caution Wednesday, with the Mancos and Dolores school districts delaying their school days by two hours.<\/p>\n

Roads were icy and snowpacked throughout Montezuma County. Multiple vehicles slid off Colorado Highway 145 and U.S. Highway 160.<\/p>\n

The snowy road conditions contributed to a rollover Wednesday morning in the 6000 block of Road 21, said Jay Balfour, chief of the Cortez Fire Protection District. No injuries were reported.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have not had any big crashes, knock on wood. Everyone should take it slow on the road,\u201d Balfour said about 11:30 a.m.<\/p>\n

A much weaker storm will move into Colorado Thursday, but will be mostly north of Southwest Colorado, Miller said. It could generate a few flurries locally.<\/p>\n

Then the high pressure system returns over the area and with it more dry weather. The next chance for moisture in Cortez is the middle of next week.<\/p>\n

\"A
A semitrailer rolled over about 5 a.m. Wednesday on U.S. Highway 160 near Bayfield. No injuries were reported. (Courtesy of Colorado State Patrol)<\/span>Courtesy of Colorado State Patrol<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Purgatory Resort reported 4 inches of fresh powder from the storm, and a 24-inch base. Telluride Ski Resort reported 6 inches and a 22-inch base, and Wolf Creek Ski Area reported 9 inches and a 48-inch base at midway.<\/p>\n

U.S. Highway 550 between Rockwood and Purgatory Resort had snowfall between 9 and 12 inches; and Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain passes had 12 inches of drifting snow and high winds during the morning commute.<\/p>\n

Two semi-trucks crashed near Bayfield and numerous motorists have slid off the road, said Capt. John Trentini with the Colorado State Patrol in Southwest Colorado.<\/p>\n

Officers were responding to help drivers, but road conditions have made recovery efforts challenging.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re doing what we can with what we\u2019ve got,\u201d Trentini said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you don\u2019t have essential travel, stay home,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Durango Herald contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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