Winter Storm Warning Issued for San Juan Mountains; Heavy Snow and 70 MPH Gusts Forecast

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the San Juan Mountains. The alert was issued on February 15 and remains in effect through early Thursday morning to address an incoming severe winter weather system.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically impacts the following regions:

• Northwestern San Juan Mountains
• Southwestern San Juan Mountains

What You Should Do

Officials advise residents and travelers to take the following safety measures:

• Travel Precautions: If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, warm clothes, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
• Road Information: The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by dialing 5 1 1.
• Commute Planning: Be prepared for hazardous conditions that could significantly impact the Tuesday morning and evening commutes.

Expected Conditions

• Snowfall: Heavy snow is expected with total accumulations between 10 and 18 inches. Locally higher amounts are possible.
• Wind: Winds are forecast to gust as high as 70 mph. These strong winds could cause tree damage.
• Visibility: Blowing snow may result in near zero visibility at times, making travel very difficult to impossible.

Timeline

• Onset: The warning period for heavy snow and wind begins at 11:00 PM MST on Monday, February 16.
• Duration: The alert is effective until 5:00 AM MST on Thursday, February 19.