Heavy Snow — Albuquerque Metro Area, New Mexico

2019-01-01 to 2019-01-02 · Albuquerque Metro Area, New Mexico

Event narrative

Snowfall amounts ranged from two to seven inches around the Albuquerque Metro Area. Difficult travel conditions due to snow, blowing snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported. Very cold temperatures resulted in frozen and burst water pipes at 40 public schools of which 25 were severely damaged. APS estimated damage amounts around $230,000. APD reported 157 accidents across the metro area with 66 involving injuries. One of these crashes was fatal on Interstate 40 when six vehicles, four semi trailers, a state police vehicle, and a tow truck were involved in a chain reaction pile up. The 50-year old tow truck driver Pat Cisneros from Madrid, NM was killed while trying to assist those involved in the accident. Additional damage amounts for vehicles are estimated.

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 792690. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.