Winter Weather in Eddy County Plains, New Mexico

A combined total of 0.5 inches of sleet and freezing rain was reported in Carlsbad by a trained spotter. 0.4 inches of sleet and 0.1 inches of ice accumulation was measured. The start of the event was estimated by radar and spotter reports.

A strong arctic cold front moved across west Texas and southeast New Mexico during the afternoon and evening hours of the 23rd. Meanwhile, a potent upper-level trough neared the region from the west. Widespread rain began during the morning of the 23rd in western portions of the area and gradually transitioned eastward through the day. As the front moved across the area, rain transitioned to sleet and snow from north to south (with freezing rain being more common south of the Pecos River and in the Davis Mountains). Off and on bands of sleet and snow continued across the Permian Basin and southeast New Mexico on the 24th, and became mostly snow by the 25th before moving east of the area late in the afternoon. Snowfall/sleet totals reached winter storm criteria across much of the northern basin and in southeast New Mexico. Lower snow and ice totals were reported further south.