Blizzard in Union County, New Mexico

The Clayton ASOS observed continued visibility less than one quarter statute mile with gusts of 40 to 58 mph between 6am to 8am MST before the anemometer went offline. Peak gusts of 58 mph were recorded at 6:48am MST and again at 7:23am MST. Several other mesonet stations measured peak gusts of 67 mph south of Clayton between 12:15pm and 14:05pm MST. Estimated snow amounts ranged between 7 and 13 inches in Clayton with several reports of snow drifts several feet high. The County EM also reported 11 vehicles stranded along U.S. Highway 56 three miles west of Clayton that required a rescue.

A strong and well organized winter storm system crossed west to east across northern and central NM on January 7th and exited into TX on January 8th. Heavy snow was observed across much of the western and northern mountains with travel impacts reported on area highways. Wrap around moisture combined with strong northerly winds gusts produced blizzard conditions through most of northeastern NM in an area between Raton, Clayton, Clovis, and Las Vegas. Reports of high winds gusting 60 to 70 mph and as high was 90 mph at Raton combined with blowing snow and snow drifts several feet high were collected in this area. Blizzard conditions resulted in a tragic multivehicle pileup along I-40 at Cuervo, NM east of Santa Rosa that unfortunately involved a loss of life. There were many road closures along both I-40 and I-25 as well as area highways across northeastern and east-central NM due to the high winds and blizzard conditions. Severe driving conditions and more isolated road closures were reported from heavy snow across western and northern NM. Snow amounts of one to two feet were reported atop the peaks of the northern mountains and at ski areas. High wind gusts of 62 to 66 mph were also observed at the Roswell and Sierra Blanca Airports. Key Impacts: road closures, traffic accidents.