Heavy Snow in Tusas Mountains Including Chama, New Mexico

An estimated 13 inches of snowfall was observed at the Chamita SNOTEL northwest of Chama. Elsewhere in the zone, an estimated 5 to 8 inches was observed at other SNOTEL sites and in Chama.

A potent Pacific storm moved into the western U.S. on February 14th. Very moist southwest flow and strong upslope flow ahead of the system brought heavy snow to the Tusas Mountains with estimated snowfall amounts as high as 13 inches. Additionally, strong southwest winds were observed across northeast NM with several high wind gusts at Raton Crews Municipal Airport and brief high wind gusts at Clayton Municipal Airpark, Las Vegas Municipal Airport, and a mesonet station a few miles southeast of Vaughn Strong west winds blew down tree branches and tossed around large trashcans on the west side of Albuquerque north of Montano and along Coors Boulevard. Southwest and west winds and mountain snow tapered off during the evening and overnight hours.