 |
|
|
|
|
| 2/9/2010 6:00:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Winter brings more storms to area
Cortez has received almost 4 feet of snow
Kimberly Benedict
Journal Staff Writer
Proving groundhogs and their shadows to be accurate weather predictors, Montezuma County found itself in the midst of yet another heavy snowstorm Sunday and Monday as winter continued its stranglehold on the region.
Snowfall began Sunday morning, tapering off midmorning. The area saw precipitation begin again in earnest late Sunday afternoon, continuing into the evening. Monday morning found Cortez and the surrounding area under a blanket of heavy, wet snow.
"Out of this storm we got 8.1 inches of snow," said local weather observer Jim Andrus.
Although the snow made for messy travel, there were no reports of significant traffic accidents in the county or within Cortez city limits.
"We are doing great," said Angelia Herrmann, public information officer for the Cortez Police Department.
Travel on local highways also maintained a fairly regular flow without major incident.
"Traffic has been flowing exceptionally well this morning," said Trooper Gary Smith, with the Colorado State Patrol. "I'm holding my breath and hoping for the best. So far it has been looking fairly good."
Snowfall was expected to taper off Monday, with a smaller storm moving into the region today.
"For the most part, this storm is winding down," said Megan Schwitzer, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction. "We've got our next storm moving in. There will be a break (today) with about a 30 percent chance of more snow (tonight) into Wednesday."
Southwest Colorado has seen a number of storm systems move through the area this winter, all of which have produced measurable amounts of snow.
"Our total snowfall for this winter is now 46.9 inches - almost four feet," Andrus said. "We've had 63 days in a row of measurable snowfall on the ground. That is the longest stretch I've ever been able to report. From Dec. 8 through (Monday) morning."
As the slow march toward spring progresses, there are indications that Montezuma County has not seen the last of winter's icy fingers.
"I'm looking at the one month outlook, basically the entire month of February, and as a whole, as far as precipitation goes, there are increased chances for much of the Southwest," Schwitzer said. "That continues through the three month outlook."
Much of the increase in precipitation is due to the El Nino weather pattern, according to Schwitzer.
"Generally in an El Nino pattern, as we are in this year, we see increased precipitation across the south - particularly the West and Southwest," she said.
The increase in snowfall this winter has been beneficial to Southwest Colorado, bringing much-needed precipitation to an area plagued by drought-like conditions.
"Our precipitation total for February is really impressive," Andrus said. "We have .98 inches (of precipitation), and normal for the entire month is .95 (inches). So, we are 103 percent of normal for February already after only the first week of the month.
"Total precipitation for the year has been 2.76 inches; normal through the end of February is 1.96 inches so that is already 141 percent of normal. It has been a really wet winter."
With temperatures hovering in the low to mid 30s during the day and dipping into the teens at night, it isn't likely the area is going to see a major thaw anytime soon.
"The snow isn't going anywhere for a long while," Andrus said. "Like the East Coast, we could call this our 'snowmageddon' or 'snowpocalypse.'"
For up-to-date weather information, visit the National Weather Service Web site at www.weather.gov/gtj.
Reach Kimberly Benedict at kimberlyb@cortezjournal.com.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
|
|
|
