Heavy Snow — East Slopes of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains, New Mexico

2017-04-03 to 2017-04-05 · East Slopes of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains, New Mexico

Event narrative

Snowfall amounts along the east slope of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains ranged from around 5 inches in Mineral Hill to 14 inches in Angel Fire and 6 inches around Ute Park. A band of snowfall that set up during the evening hours of the 4th produced snowfall rates of 2 inches per hour. Difficult travel conditions were reported.

Wider weather episode

An upper level wave gathering strength over the Great Basin deepened into an upper low over northern NM then ejected quickly eastward into the Great Plains. Rain and high terrain snow showers spread over northern and central New Mexico ahead of a potent cold front arriving from the north and west. Rain changed to snow north of the Interstate 40 corridor as colder air surged into the region. Heavy snowfall amounts were reported over portions of the northern mountains and across much of far northeastern New Mexico. Strong winds combined with the snow created areas of blowing snow with reduced visibility. Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 10 inches with locally higher amounts near the Colorado border. Winds north and northwest became strong across portions of the area as the storm system departed the state. Wind gusts between 60 and 70 mph were reported from near Clines Corners south to Roswell. Several roads were closed across Union and Colfax counties, including U.S. 64/87.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 678614. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.