Heavy Snow — San Juan Mountains, New Mexico

2014-12-13 to 2014-12-14 · San Juan Mountains, New Mexico

Event narrative

COOP and SNOTEL reports across the area indicated between 6 to 12 inches of snowfall.

Wider weather episode

An upper level low pressure system strengthened as it approached from California and swept through north central New Mexico. A subtropical moisture tap in association with this system produced heavy snow across the northern mountains on the 13th. Additional snow fell as the system exited on the 14th due to wrap around moisture, resulting in snowfall storm totals of up to 20 inches in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Strong mid level winds and lee side trough quickly shifted the focus to high winds on the 14th, with the strongest reports across the east central plains. Numerous hours with sustained winds of 40 mph along with gusts up to 60 mph were seen across the region during the late morning and early afternoon hours on the 14th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 545438. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.