Winter Storm Warning Issued for San Juan Mountains: Heavy Snow and 70 MPH Gusts Expected
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the San Juan Mountains through Thursday morning, with up to 20 inches of snow and dangerous wind gusts forecast.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the San Juan Mountains. The alert is effective from 11:00 PM MST on Monday, February 16, through 5:00 AM MST on Thursday, February 19.
Affected Areas
The warning covers the following geographic regions:
- Northwestern San Juan Mountains
- Southwest San Juan Mountains
What You Should Do
If you must travel, the National Weather Service advises keeping an extra flashlight, food, warm clothes, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Residents can obtain the latest road conditions for their state by calling 5 1 1. Travel is expected to be very difficult to impossible during this window.
Expected Conditions
- Snowfall: Heavy snow is expected with total accumulations between 10 and 20 inches. Locally higher amounts are possible.
- Wind: Wind gusts are forecast to reach as high as 70 mph.
- Visibility: Blowing snow may result in near zero visibility at times.
- Impacts: The hazardous conditions are expected to impact the Tuesday morning and evening commutes. Strong winds may also cause tree damage.
Timeline
The warning begins at 11:00 PM MST this evening, February 16, and is scheduled to expire at 5:00 AM MST on Thursday, February 19.
Source: NOAA Official Notice