Heavy Snow in Jemez Mountains, New Mexico

Heavy snow impacted the western high terrain of the Jemez Mountains where the Vacas Locas SNOTEL measured 11 inches of snow.

An upper level disturbance passed over northern NM late March 16, 2023 and through the morning of March 17, 2023. Preceding moisture associated with this system on the 16th produced heavy snow over the northern mountains or NM. The main disturbance and colder temperatures brought snow levels and bands of snow to lower elevations of west-central and central NM during the morning of March 17, 2023. These areas included the Santa Fe and Albuquerque metro areas. Several crashes caused road closures, including on I-25 and several state highways, resulting from snow producing low visibility. The highest snow accumulations of 1 to 2 feet were observed over the high terrain of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.