Heavy Snow — Chuska Mountains, New Mexico

2021-12-24 · Chuska Mountains, New Mexico

Event narrative

Heavy snow fell across the Chuska Mountains through much of Christmas Eve. A SNOTEL site near Toadlena received an estimated 10 inches of new snow.

Wider weather episode

A dynamic storm system developing off the coast of California finally moved inland and brought snow and high winds to portions of northern and central New Mexico on December 24, 2021. A strong upper-level jet oriented southwest to northeast accompanying this storm system resulted in windy to damaging wind conditions across a large portion of central and eastern New Mexico. Wind gusts in excess of 58 mph were common across the central high terrain and portions of the eastern plains. Despite these very strong winds, there were not many reports of damages except in Lincoln County where wind gusts up to 64 mph downed a few trees and damaged a roof at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds. This storm system also brought snow to portions of western and north central New Mexico on Christmas Eve. Snow totals were confined to the mountainous terrain where the Tusas and northern Sangre de Cristo mountains received snow totals generally ranging from 8 to 17 inches. The combination of snow and high winds resulted in difficult to severe driving conditions, particularly along U.S. Highway 64 where wind gusts were in excess of 70 mph. Key Impacts: damages, downed trees, difficult travel.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 991111. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.