Heavy Snow — Middle Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico

1996-02-01 to 1996-02-02 · Middle Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico

Wider weather episode

Heavy snow developed over eastern and northern sections of the state after Arctic air plunged southward. Snows began during early morning across the plains with 5 inches reported in less than 6 hours at Jordan in Curry county. Snow began later along the Sangre de Cristo and Sandia mountains as the cold air deepened to the west. A mid-afternoon heavy snow of 3 to 5 inches at Santa Fe closed city roads. Rain changed to snow during the evening at Albuquerque creating slick roads that resulted in snarled traffic and 85 accidents with 24 injuries the next morning. Snow reports in the ski areas ranged from 24 inches at Taos to 14 inches at Sandia Crest.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5539299. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.