In the mountains, a Winter Weather Advisory (WWA) is usually issued when 6-12″ of snow are expected. At the beginning of the season or around holidays, it is quite normal for the National Weather Service to bend the rules a bit. At lower elevations, a WWA can be issued for 3-6″ of snow. This advisory does not include lower elevations. Our NWS office loves to throw Hesperus into the wording. They do not know how generically people use that word in our County. If it were me I would change it to Hesperus above 8,200′. But I don’t think they will do that, so if you live below 8,200 feet especially south of the fire station, know that you will not likely encounter the same conditions as are in the advisory.
I will be posting an update midday, there was very little change in the modeling for the Thanksgiving storm, but models are starting to track the Saturday storm further north than I would like to see.
Winter Weather Advisory
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 413 AM MST Wed Nov 21 2018 COZ004-010-012-013-018-019-212300- /O.CON.KGJT.WW.Y.0031.181122T1700Z-181123T1900Z/ Elkhead and Park Mountains- Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys- West Elk and Sawatch Mountains-Flat Tops- Northwest San Juan Mountains-Southwest San Juan Mountains- Including the cities of Columbine, Hahns Peak, Toponas, Aspen, Vail, Snowmass, Crested Butte, Taylor Park, Marble, Buford, Trappers Lake, Telluride, Ouray, Lake City, Silverton, Rico, and Hesperus 413 AM MST Wed Nov 21 2018 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THURSDAY TO NOON MST FRIDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches with locally higher amounts at the peaks expected. * WHERE...Mountains of northwest, southwest and west central Colorado. This includes Rabbit Ears Pass, Vail Pass, McClure Pass, Red Mountain Pass, Coal Bank Pass and Molas Pass. * WHEN...From 10 AM Thursday to noon MST Friday. Snow rates will be greatest late Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening, impacting holiday evening commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact holiday travel over higher elevation highways and mountain passes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Expect snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.