Heavy Snow — Northern Sangre De Cristo Mountains, New Mexico

2024-04-01 · Northern Sangre De Cristo Mountains, New Mexico

Event narrative

Taos Ski Valley reported 13 inches of snowfall. Surrounding reports in the forecast zone ranged from 3 to 8 inches.

Wider weather episode

An upper-level trough and strong Pacific cold front moved through New Mexico on April 1st. This system produced accumulating snow across portions of northern New Mexico during the day into the evening hours with the heaviest snowfall of 13 inches at Taos Ski Valley. Strong upper-level winds behind the Pacific cold front resulted in high sustained winds above 40 mph and gusts of up to 60 mph at the Roswell Air Center. These high winds resulted in areas of blowing dust and near zero visibility along U.S. Highway 285 around the Roswell Air Center and across southern Chaves County. As a result, a Dust Storm Warning was issued for the respective area. U.S. Highway 285 and roads around the Roswell Air Center were closed temporarily during the late afternoon and early evening hours due to this blowing dust and near zero visibility. High winds tapered off and blowing dust settled shortly after sunset.

Keywords: High Winds, Dust Storm. Heavy Snow.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1161179. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.