3/23/23 Thursday 9:30 am
Snow showers will redevelop in the higher elevations this afternoon. Tomorrow a weak storm will move through the forecast area. The highest totals will favor the far northern portions of the forecast. More storms are possible on Sunday and the middle of next week but the models are in poor agreement at the moment.
The storm left impressive totals in its wake. Coal Bank received 57 inches of snow. Wolf Creek received 53 inches. 41 inches piled up at Purgatory. Molas measured 44 inches. Many mid-elevation areas throughout the southern and central portions of the forecast area received 20-30 inches (before melting). Silverton got 22 inches. 24 inches fell on Red Mountain and Telluride got 16.
Here were my original forecasts, they were through tomorrow, so once again I under forecasted the event.
Telluride: 14 to 20 inches
Areas between 8,000 feet and 8,600 feet in La Plata, Montezuma, Dolores, and Archuleta Counties: 14 to 24 inches.
Silverton: 22 to 28 inches
Purgatory: 32 to 40 inches
Wolf Creek: 45 to 58 inches
Here is the latest from CDOT. Please monitor their website for openings. Openings are not usually scheduled for a particular time.
SW Colorado Road Report from CDOT
CO 145 Lizard Head Pass — Expect intermittent spot closures. Crews are performing mitigation and snow removal operations throughout the day.
US 550 Coal Bank/Molas/Red Mountain Passes — All three passes remain closed. Crews are performing mitigation and snow removal operations throughout the day. No estimated time of opening.
US 160 Wolf Creek Pass — The pass remains closed. Crews are performing mitigation and snow removal operations today on the west side of the pass. No estimated time of opening. **Skier traffic is allowed on the east side of the pass between the ski area and Southfork. However, skies should be aware that intermittent spot closures may occur periodically when crews are performing snow removal to keep that side of the pass open. No commercial big rigs are allowed to travel past the South Fork gate.**
CO 17 Cumbres/La Manga Passes — The passes remain closed. Crews will perform mitigation and snow removal operations this afternoon. No estimated time of opening.
My next update will be on Friday. Thanks for following and supporting the site!