San juan mountains winter storm warning

On 31 October 2026, the National Weather Service issued a significant winter storm warning for the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado. The alert, which remained in effect through the early hours of 1 November 2026, highlighted the arrival of a robust cold front that brought heavy, wet snow to high-elevation passes and mountain communities. Meteorologists reported that areas above 9,000 feet received between 8 and 14 inches of accumulation, creating hazardous driving conditions on major mountain corridors. The storm system, characterized by gusty winds and plummeting temperatures, prompted local authorities to advise motorists to avoid non-essential travel across high-altitude routes. Ski resorts in the region reported favorable early-season base accumulation, though officials warned of elevated avalanche risks in backcountry terrain due to the rapid loading of new snow on existing surfaces. This weather event marks one of the most substantial early-season storms for the San Juan range this year, signaling a transition into full winter conditions for the high country as November begins.