Heavy Snow — San Juan Mountains, New Mexico

2019-02-14 to 2019-02-15 · San Juan Mountains, New Mexico

Event narrative

Various observations in the area from Canjilon to Tierra Amarilla and Chama reported six to 14 inches of snow along with gusty winds, low visibility, and difficult travel conditions.

Wider weather episode

A record setting moisture tap surging into New Mexico from the subtropical Pacific Ocean set the stage for heavy wet snow in the higher terrain. Snow developed over the higher terrain of western New Mexico during the late afternoon of February 14, 2019 before spreading into the high terrain of northern New Mexico through the early morning hours of February 15th. Snow levels ranged from near 7,500 feet within the San Juan/Tusas Mountains to over 8,500 feet in the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo mountains. The heaviest snowfall impacted the area around Chama where 10 to 14 inches was common. Lighter snowfall amounts of four to eight inches in the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo mountains were accompanied by high wind speeds of 60 to 70 mph with whiteout conditions.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 797755. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.