Heavy Snow in Quay County, New Mexico

A CoCoRaHS observer 7.7 miles north of McAlister measured 7.5 inches of snowfall. Additionally, a CoCoRaHS observer in House measured 5.4 inches of snowfall. Slick and severe driving conditions from snow in the zone resulted in the closure of I-40 from Tucumcari to Amarillo with a crash occurring near San Jon. State route 209 was also closed south of Tucumcari due to severe driving conditions from blowing snow and black ice.

An upper level disturbance over the northern and central Rockies combined with an upper level low over northern Mexico forming a new upper low over New Mexico during the morning hours of January 9th. Pacific and Gulf of Mexico moisture moved into and clashed with the modified arctic airmass in place over the state. This resulted in an area of moderate to heavy area of snow across southern and eastern NM, mainly along and south of Interstate 40 during the day. Several highways in the area, including Interstate 40 near the Texas border and U.S. 285 and 60, were shut down due to snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches causing slick and severe driving conditions. Meanwhile, a reinforcing backdoor front moved into northeast NM with strong north winds and light snow in its wake across far northeast NM. Wind gusts of up to 69 mph were observed in the area resulting in blowing snow and near blizzard conditions. This resulted in the closure of U.S. 64/87 and 56. Snow gradually exited into Texas during the evening hours and north winds across northeast NM gradually tapered off before midnight.