Heavy Snow — Westcentral Mountains, New Mexico

2008-02-03 to 2008-02-04 · Westcentral Mountains, New Mexico

Event narrative

Accumulations of 4 to 8 inches of snow fell across the lower elevations while up to 3 feet of snow fell across the Chuska Mountains. Drifts up to 7 feet were reported at Narbona Pass due to strong and gusty winds. Snow accumulation of 8.5 inches occurred in Gallup which caused multiple road closures.

Wider weather episode

February started off windy and white as a storm over the Pacific Northwest dove southeast on the 3rd and crossed New Mexico on the 4th. A weaker disturbance brought in moisture on the 2nd and produced light snowfall over the northwest mountains. But the bulk of the snow and wind came on the 3rd through the night of the 5th. The higher snowfall totals were over the northwest mountains, while high winds blasted portions of the central mountain chain onto the eastern plains.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 68418. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.