Heavy Snow — Northwest Highlands, New Mexico

2009-12-07 to 2009-12-08 · Northwest Highlands, New Mexico

Event narrative

Widespread snow amounts of 2 inches or greater coated the northwest highlands. The greatest amounts were near Lindrith, where 8 inches of snow was reported. The heavy snow resulted in one fatality. Jimmy Shendo, of Jemez Pueblo, was driving a Toyota truck southbound on U.S. 550 in southeast San Juan County, when he lost control and slid into the northbound lanes. He was struck by an oncoming vehicle at mile marker 110. Shendo, 59, was not wearing a seatbelt and was partially ejected from the truck.

Wider weather episode

A potent storm system brought heavy snow and high winds across the state. Snowfall started on December 6th across the San Juan Mountains. Snow increased in coverage and intensity on the 7th, and a final blast of snow came early on the 8th as a cold front swept from west to east across New Mexico. Many locales on the west facing slopes of the northern mountains were measuring snow in feet rather than inches. Meanwhile, a mid level jet streak in excess of 80 knots was moving across the southwest mountains northeastward onto the plains. The strong winds combined with the heavy snow resulted in blizzard conditions across the southwest mountains as well as portions of central New Mexico. Wind gusts near 135 mph were measured across Magdalena Peak, which set a new record for the highest wind gust measured in the state. Across the south central mountains and eastern plains, the high winds were a bigger concern than the snow. Widespread surface wind gusts in excess of 60 mph were measured across this area. Several buildings, vehicles and trees sustained damage.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 199108. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.