Heavy Snow — San Juan Mountains, New Mexico

2015-12-22 to 2015-12-23 · San Juan Mountains, New Mexico

Event narrative

Observer in Chama reported a 2-day total of 15 inches. Various SNOTEL sites across the high terrain reported between 10 and 15 inches. Snow water equivalent was high with this event thus snowfall was wet and heavy.

Wider weather episode

A powerful jet stream that crashed onshore the West Coast forced several fast-moving upper disturbances southeastward across New Mexico from the 22nd to the 23rd. The first impulse produced several inches of snow from the San Juan Mountains southwest along the Continental Divide on the 22nd. The area around Farmington and Aztec also picked up a couple inches of snow. Snow persisted into the 23rd over the San Juan and Jemez Mountains where significant accumulations occurred. Snowfall amounts between 10 and 20 inches were reported. A few SNOTEL sites received nearly 2 inches of water equivalent with this system, making for a rather wet snowfall event. Wet snow that fell in lower elevation areas made for only brief hazardous travel early on the 23rd.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 605458. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.