Heavy Snow — Central Lea County, New Mexico

2011-12-23 to 2011-12-25 · Central Lea County, New Mexico

Event narrative

Snowfall totals were great enough by 714 PM CST on the 23rd over east central New Mexico for Highway 18 to be closed between Hobbs and Lovington. There were injuries from several automobile accidents reported. US Highway 62/180 between Hobbs and Carlsbad was closed by 825 PM CST. Law enforcement was working an accident on US 82 west of Lovington at that time also. Total snowfall at Hobbs was 7 inches.

Wider weather episode

An upper level cutoff low pressure center moved slowly eastward over west Texas, creating a prolonged period of wintry precipitation. Although rain, sleet and snow occurred, the precipitation fell mainly as snow with significant accumulations over southeast New Mexico.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 354312. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.