Heavy Snow — Northern Lea County, New Mexico

2011-12-23 to 2011-12-24 · Northern Lea County, New Mexico

Event narrative

Snowfall was only 1-2 inches by early evening on the 23rd, however roads began to be closed over Lea County due to snowfall and subfreezing temperatures. The storm total snowfall reported for Tatum was 8 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 354318. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.