Heavy Snow — Northwest Highlands, New Mexico

2018-12-31 · Northwest Highlands, New Mexico

Event narrative

Snowfall amounts ranged from three to nine inches along the Continental Divide region of U.S. Highway 550. Severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported across much of the area. 12-year old Alexander Steven Madsen was killed when two vehicles collided on icy roads along U.S. Highway 550 near Cuba.

Wider weather episode

A third winter storm in a series hammered much of New Mexico during the New Year's holiday with widespread snowfall, bitterly cold temperatures, and major travel impacts. Very cold air was already in place across the state behind the second storm that exited the area after Christmas. Another potent upper level gathered strength over the Four Corners region on New Year's Eve and moved slowly south and east into western New Mexico through New Year's Day. Widespread snowfall developed over northern and western New Mexico on New Year's Eve with significant travel impacts reported during evening holiday festivities. Gap winds on the east side of the Albuquerque metro area limited snowfall until winds subsided on New Years morning. The heaviest snow fell across the northern mountains where 12 to 18 inches was reported. The Jemez Mountains picked up 36 inches just west of Los Alamos. Bitterly cold air in place over the region with snow and blowing snow resulted in major travel problems with several road closures. Fatal accidents were reported on U.S. 550 and Interstate 40 in the Albuquerque area along with roughly 66 injury accidents in the city. Frigid temperatures resulted in damage to 40 schools in the Albuquerque area of which 25 experienced serious flood damage. Low temperatures on the day after New Years were the coldest since 2013 with many areas reporting readings below zero.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 792067. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.