Foot Of Snow Hits Colorado Mountain Areas
DENVER (AP) - A fast-moving snowstorm brought more than a foot of snow to some areas of the Colorado mountains as remnants of the so-called Pineapple Express band of storms headed across the Eastern Plains on Saturday and began losing steam.
National Weather Service meteorologist Jeff Colton said Sunday portions of southern Colorado got more than a foot of snow overnight and snow picked up at Colorado ski resorts to the north. He said the storm began slowing down as it crossed the Continental Divide.
Beginning Saturday, Telluride picked up 13 inches of new snow and Winter Park got a foot along with Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort. Snowmass reported 6 inches of new snow. Up to 5 inches of snow was forecast for parts of the Eastern Plains.
Colton said the heavy snow came from the remnants of the so-called Pineapple Express band of strong winds and rain that brought floods and mudslides to the West Coast.
"It's the last piece of the storm that California left for us," Colton said.
The Colorado Department of Transportation had a team helping help motorists on highways with snowplow escorts, regulating traffic for skiers headed home on Sunday and tow trucks on hand to clear accidents.
The Transportation Department reported icy roads and heavy traffic as skiers headed home.
Jenn Rudolph, spokeswoman for Colorado Ski Country USA, said the new snow was a welcome change as ski resorts head into the holidays.
"We're getting a lot of fresh snow," she said.
National Weather Service meteorologist Julie Malingowski called the storm short but said the Western Slope can expect more this week, the Durango Herald reported Sunday (http://bit.ly/1wwNA2q).
"It's good for snow lovers," she said. "I'm one of them."
For the last several weeks, many Coloradans enjoyed pleasant temperatures and trails, paths and golf courses had heavy traffic.
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