Heavy Snow — Southern Desert, New Mexico

2011-12-23 to 2011-12-24 · Southern Desert, New Mexico

Event narrative

A maximum snowfall report of 7.1 inches was received 4 miles south-southeast of Rincon. Other significant reports included 7.0 inches 1 mile northwest of Garfield, 6.5 inches 16 miles northwest of Las Cruces, 6.0 inches 2 miles west-northwest of Radium Springs, and 5.0 inches in Dona Ana. Interstate 10 was closed from Las Cruces west and Interstate 25 from Las Cruces north for approximately 24 hours due to poor road conditions.

Wider weather episode

A deep upper low moved from Southeast Arizona through far Northern Mexico and into Southeast New Mexico. A surface cold front pushed well south of the border allowing for cold air to penetrate into the region. Up to 24 inches of snow was reported in the Sacramento Mountains with this storm.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 357356. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.