Winter Weather — Chaves County Plains, New Mexico

2013-11-22 to 2013-11-23 · Chaves County Plains, New Mexico

Event narrative

The combination of light accumulations of snow, sleet, and freezing rain with gusty winds and reduced visibilities impacted the region. Difficult driving conditions were reported across the area. A 4-old girl died and 2 adults injured when their vehicle rolled over on Highway 70 10 miles southwest of Elida. The young girl was asleep in the back seat without a seat belt. Two adults wearing seat belts in the front of the vehicle suffered minor injuries.

Wider weather episode

An arctic cold front pushed south across the eastern plains and through the central mountain chain and Rio Grande Valley late on the 21st through the 22nd. Record to near record cold temperatures moved into the area with this arctic air mass. Strong gap winds developed below canyons in the Rio Grande Valley where gusts near 50 mph were common for several days from Albuquerque south to Socorro and Carrizozo. Meanwhile, an unseasonably strong, slow-moving upper level low pressure system over southern California provided a deep tap of abundant moisture over New Mexico. The combination of very cold air at the surface and a slow-moving surge of moisture over the area provided an extended duration of winter weather over the region. Widespread impacts to travel were reported with several accidents and road closures across the area. A 4-year old girl was killed in a roll over accident on Highway 70 in Chaves county.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 478960. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.