Heavy Snow — Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Above 9500 Feet, New Mexico

2015-11-16 to 2015-11-17 · Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Above 9500 Feet, New Mexico

Event narrative

Public sources and ski sites across the area reported between 10 and 29 inches of snowfall with hazardous travel conditions in blowing snow.

Wider weather episode

A potent storm system that rapidly strengthened just west of the Four Corners on November 15th produced strong winds and widespread precipitation across the area through the 17th, including 1 to 3 feet of snow for the central and northern mountains and parts of northeastern New Mexico. Blizzard conditions developed for several hours between Raton and Clayton early on the 17th forcing the closure of I-25 between Las Vegas and Raton Pass. Treacherous travel conditions were also reported across other areas of the northeast including U.S. 64/87 between Raton and Clayton, where snow drifts between 2 and 3 feet were reported. This was the first significant snowfall event of this winter season for lower elevation areas from Taos to Espanola, Santa Fe, and the east mountain communities. Numerous school closures and delays were noted across the state on the 16th and the 17th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 602661. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.