High Wind in Far Northeast Plains, New Mexico

An upper level low and associated strong subtropical jet brought heavy rain, high elevation snow, severe thunderstorms and high winds to western and central New Mexico during the predawn hours of December 1st. Flooding was observed in the Gila region while severe thunderstorms produced wind damage in the Rio Grande and Estancia Valleys. Strong winds blew across much of the high terrain and just east of the central mountain chain but were the strongest during the daylight hours of the 1st. The winds were occasionally accompanied by snow, which created near blizzard conditions in the higher mountainous terrain. As the trough opened up and moved east across New Mexico and Colorado, snow levels lowered overnight across the northwest. However, the most significant snow accumulations were confined to elevations above 8500 feet in the Chuska, Southern San Juan and Sangre De Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico. Through dawn of the 2nd, storm total snow accumulations of 5 to 10 inches were common with 1 to 2 feet likely on west facing slopes above 9500 feet.