NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
TODAY – Mostly sunny, with a high near 57º. Breezy, with a south wind 20 to 25 mph becoming west southwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.
TONIGHT – A slight chance of rain before 10pm, then rain and snow likely between 10pm and 2am, then snow likely after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25º. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph becoming west 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
TOMORROW – Snow. High near 37º. Breezy, with an east northeast wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches is possible.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK – Snow will spread in the Sangres and Wet Mountains tonight and continue into tomorrow. A sustained period of moderate to briefly heavy snow may bring some moderate to heavy accumulations across the east slopes of the Wet Mountains and the Sangres. The heaviest snow is most likely across the southern Sangres where accumulations of 6 – 12 inches will be possible. Lighter amounts of 3 – 8 inches will be possible across the remainder of the valleys and mountains with a slushy inch or two possible on grassy surfaces across the plains. The snow tapers by tomorrow night.
DROUGHT MONITOR
The rest of the state seems to be in a surplus of snowpack –– not the case for us here in the Valley.
Snowpack depth remains unchanged since yesterday, with the mountain sitting at a 49 inch snowpack which is 89% of normal. The snowpack water equivalent is 27.3%, a measure of how much water the snowpack would yield if melted.
CDOT
On Highway 69 there are road maintenance operations, alternating traffic. Other than that, there aren’t any local construction or obstructions for today.
Heading to the Springs, CO Highway 115 – Both Northbound and Southbound shoulders are closed due to construction.
TODAY’S AVALANCHE FORECAST
In the Sangre De Cristo District, the chances of avalanche today are low below the treeline, and both moderate for above 9,500 feet and above treeline.
The rapid warmup will make loose avalanches more dangerous in areas, with more cold, dry storm snow available to shed, watch your overhead hazard and pay attention to the threat of loose wet avalanches on sunnier slopes as the day progresses.
Every Thursday, and as-needed by special arrangement, Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center will pick you up at Custer County Health Clinic at noon, drive you to Heart of the rockies main campus in Salida for any specialist appointments, tests or services and drive you back to the clinic by 5 p.m. This service is FREE of charge.
TODAY, MARCH 15th
9am – Board of Custer County Commissioners will hold a meeting in Wetmore at the Wetmore Community Building, 95 Co Rd 393
The Silver Cliff Planning Commission meets at 5 to 7pm in the Silver Cliff Town Hall.
TOMORROW, MARCH 16th
10am – Westcliffe’s Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting.
And at 2pm – Round Mountain Water and Sanitation District Board of Directors meets at 59000 Hwy 69, Westcliffe (which is in the same building as the 3rd street gallery).
Free webinar with Dr. Maggie Baldwin on what you should know about the Avian Flu. Find more information log on to ag.colorado.gov/hpai
The 4-H is accepting new enrollments until March 31st.
Learn more about how to get your child involved by contacting the CSU Custer County Extension office at 719-783-2514.
NEW enrollments are accepted until March 31st
DMV To Go takes place Tomorrow at the library from 10am – 3pm
Any Coloradan who needs a driver’s license or ID card service can utilize this program.
In Calendar News –
The Community Methodist Church will host line dancing today at 930am to 11 am at 206 S. 6th st.
Pickle Ball will take place at Silver cliff Memorial Park, if weather permits from 10am to 11am.
Every Wednesday from 10am to 11 am play group is held in the library community room for young children up to school age and their caregivers. The purpose of the group is to provide socialization through play.
Bridge Club takes place from 1 to 3 at the Silver Cliff town hall. All are welcome and lessons can be provided.
Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 6pm at St. Lukes Episcopal church 201 3rd st. in Westcliffe.
Tomorrow lunch is served at the Silver Cliff town hall for seniors starting at noon.
At 12:30 the High Altitude Garden Club will meet at St. Lukes Episcopal church with a presentation on spring gardening.
And just a reminder that Friday is St. Patrick’s Day.
TODAY, MARCH 15th
6pm – District Accountability Committee (DAC) meets in the school cafeteria 
This week, our host, Gary Taylor interviews Westcliffe Mayor, Paul Wenke.
Valley Views* airs Tuesdays and Thursdays 7am and 6pm, and Saturdays at 10am, and is always available to stream on our website.