Winter Weather in San Juan Mountains, New Mexico

SNOTEL sites across the high terrain of eastern Rio Arriba County reported a quick burst of heavy snowfall with amounts between 6 and 11 inches in just 7 hours.

A broad upper level trough crossing the southern Rockies and a deepening lee trough over the plains generated windy conditions across much of New Mexico. The strongest winds occurred in the area from near Albuquerque across the Sandia Mountains into the high plains. West to northwest wind gusts peaked near 60 mph across this area. A band of virga showers just north of the Albuquerque area enhanced these strong winds and resulted in a peak wind gust to 66 mph at the Sunport. Colder temperatures and sufficient moisture across northern New Mexico also resulted in several inches of snow with this system over the San Juan Mountains.