Winter Weather — Southern Lea County, New Mexico

2004-12-23 to 2004-12-24 · Southern Lea County, New Mexico

Event narrative

Accumulating snowfall additionally occurred over southern Lea County. Storm total snow accumulations totaled three inches at Jal.

Wider weather episode

The second winter storm to impact southeastern New Mexico during the late December arctic air outbreak resulted in half a foot of snow over most of Eddy and central Lea Counties by sunrise on Christmas Eve. This as a potent upper level disturbance moved over the region and acted upon the arctic airmass that remained entrenched across the region. Winter storm conditions resulted in the closure of many area roads and highways. Multiple accidents were reported along a few routes.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5428835. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.