Winter Storm — Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass, New Mexico

2022-03-17 · Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass, New Mexico

Event narrative

A trained spotter east of Folsom measured 4 inches of snow in their area. The combination of heavy snow and strong winds estimated around 50 mph resulted in treacherous driving conditions, particularly in the Raton Pass area. Reduced visibility and snow-packed and icy roads forced the closure of Interstate 25 for a few hours during the afternoon.

Wider weather episode

A storm system tracking over northern New Mexico on March 17, 2022, combined with a preceding backdoor cold front brought a round of moderate snow to the area. This backdoor cold front that moved into eastern New Mexico ahead of this system cooled temperatures which helped to set the stage for snow across the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Raton Mesa, and portions of the northeast plains. Northerly winds even strengthened along and behind this front with gusts of 50 to 65 mph measured. The highest snow accumulations of 4 to 6 inches were generally along the Raton Mesa and east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains thanks to the upslope flow associated with the backdoor cold front. The high winds combined with the snow brought significant impacts to the northeast as blizzard-like conditions resulted in numerous vehicle accidents and road closures. Impacts: heavy snow, difficult travel, high winds, blowing snow, road closures.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1003327. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.