Heavy Snow — San Agustin Plains and Adjacent Lowlands, New Mexico

2023-02-07 · San Agustin Plains and Adjacent Lowlands, New Mexico

Event narrative

Heavy snow impacted the San Agustin Plains where a CoCoRaHS observer near Magdalena reported 6.8 inches of snow. Various other reports of 2 to 5 inches of snow were reported. Difficult travel was also reported along U.S. Highway 60 east of the Very Large Array.

Wider weather episode

A closed upper low in combination with a strong surface cold front brought moderate to heavy snow accumulations. Accumulations ranging from 4 to 7 inches fell during the day of February 7, 2023 as the upper low crossed west to east over southern New Mexico, with easterly upslope flow behind the cold front enhancing snowfall rates. This was especially true during the evening hours through the Sandia and Manzano Mountains. The heaviest accumulations focused within the east mountain communities along the Sandia and Manzano Mountains, and in Magdalena in the San Agustin Plains in western Socorro County.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1068911. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.