Winter Weather — San Juan Mountains, New Mexico

2017-04-27 · San Juan Mountains, New Mexico

Event narrative

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.

Wider weather episode

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.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 685395. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.