Blizzard — Central Lea County, New Mexico

2015-12-26 to 2015-12-28 · Central Lea County, New Mexico

Event narrative

Heavy snow and blizzard conditions occurred for several hours on the night of the 26th and morning of the 27th with a storm total of 14 inches of snowfall reported in Hobbs. Strong northeast winds of 35-45 mph and gusts over 50 mph frequently occurred during the period of heavy snow and afterwards.

Wider weather episode

An upper level storm system intensified over the southwest United States on Christmas Day. This system moved southeastward over the next two days across portions of northeast Mexico and Far West Texas. This coincided with the arrival of an arctic air mass into the area, setting the stage for potential heavy snow and blustery conditions. Forecasters recognized the potential for a snowstorm, mentioning its possibility as early as December 22, and then issuing the first watches three days in advance on Christmas Eve morning. The result of this weather pattern was the most significant winter storm ever in the WFO Midland County Warning Area.

Danny Kiper (Field Site Security Officer) from FLETC (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia, NM) commented that the 'Forecast was spot on' and the email briefings beforehand enabled them to prepare for the different contingencies. Based on the information in the email briefings FLETC provided clothes, blankets, food, and water that enabled the security personnel to shelter-in-place (for as long as 36 hours in some cases). There were snow drifts up to 10 feet deep at FLETC. Due to the briefings from the WFO Midland forecast staff, they were well-prepared and suffered zero injuries from the storm.

Jennifer Armendariz (Emergency Manager from Eddy County) commented that 'based on our email briefings ahead of the historic blizzard all the grocery stores were able to stock up and not run out of essentials.' Jennifer was also informed that based on our email briefings that farmers were able to stock up on feed and hay for their cattle. Jennifer heard that only 500 cattle were lost'all from one ranch that didn't believe that a blizzard could happen in Eddy County! Based on the email briefings, and the early initiation of Winter Storm and Blizzard Watches, lives were saved and ranchers avoided loss of dairy cattle and milk from the blizzard.

NWS partner Wendell Malone stated, 'Your forecasts, watches, warnings, and special weather statements during this Historic Blizzard were simply phenomenal. No doubt your hard work paid off for us locally. No telling how many lives you may have saved. Congrats and job well done.

Historically, Eddy and Lea Counties in New Mexico received record snowfall at many locations. Snowfall reports from the Artesia area ranged from 17-20 inches, which eclipsed the previous record of 14 inches set in 1931. Carlsbad totaled 15 inches of snowfall, equaling the total from the 1931 storm, while Hobbs and Eunice also broke all-time 24-hour snowfall records during the event with 14' and 15' respectively.

While no previous data was available for comparison at that location, the 24' snowfall in Queen was highest snowfall total ever reported in Eddy County since records have been kept, surpassing a 22.5' snowfall in Hope, NM set in April of 1983.

Overall, this event surpassed the December 1931 snowstorm as the most significant winter storm ever in southeast New Mexico. It was also the first storm ever in WFO Midland's history where Blizzard Warnings were issued and verified.

Below are the reported snowfall reports:

QUEEN 24.0 IN 0640 PM 12/27

3 N ARTESIA 18.0 IN 0753 PM 12/27

ARTESIA 17.0 IN 0735 PM 12/27

4 E EUNICE 15.0 IN 1030 PM 12/27

3 S CARLSBAD 15.0 IN 0757 PM 12/27

HOBBS 14.0 IN 0435 PM 12/27

2 NW CARLSBAD 13.2 IN 0633 PM 12/27.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 606671. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.