Chuska Mountains storm history

Up to 7 inches of snow fell across the Chuska Mountains, however, it was the cold weather that claimed the life of a man near Rabbit Brush, New Mexico (just across the state line from Fort Defiance). He was walking back home after being dropped off along Navajo Route 12.

An 88 year old woman was found dead 7 miles north of Crystal. The woman insisted on visiting her sister at 4 am, but her vehicle got stuck in melting snow and mud. She tried to continue on foot, but was unsuccessful. The woman's body was discovered several yards from her vehicle.

Extreme drought was removed from the zone.

Extreme drought expanded north to the far southwest portion of the zone.

The Navajo Whiskey SNOTEL observed an estimated 10 inches of snow.

An estimated ten inches of snow fell at the Navajo Whiskey SNOTEL.

Severe drought conditions were removed from the zone due to beneficial winter precipitation during the month.

Severe drought conditions persisted across the zone, despite receiving some beneficial snowfall from several winter storms.

A dry and warm November resulted in the the introduction of severe drought to the entirety of the zone.

Heavy snow impacted the Chuska Mountains where there was an estimated 11 inches of snow at the Navajo Whiskey SNOTEL.

Heavy snow impacted the Chuska Mountains where there was an estimated 13 inches of snow at a SNOTEL site.

The Navajo Whiskey Creek SNOTEL estimated 13 inches of snowfall.

Heavy snow impacted the Chuska Mountains. A SNOTEL site reported 14 inches of snow.

Severe drought conditions from June 2022 improved to moderate drought in July.

Severe drought conditions from May 2022 continued in June.

Severe drought conditions from April 2022 continued in May.

Severe drought conditions from March 2022 continued in April.

Severe drought conditions from February 2022 continued in March.

Severe drought conditions from January 2022 continued in February.

Severe drought conditions from December 2021 continued in January 2022. A small portion of the area did improve to moderate drought conditions.

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.

Severe drought conditions from November 2021 continued in December.

Severe drought conditions from October 2021 continued in November.

Severe drought conditions from September 2021 continued in October.

Severe drought conditions from August 2021 continued in September.

Severe drought conditions from July 2021 continued in August.

Extreme drought conditions from June 2021 improved in July with severe drought conditions across the area.

Extreme drought conditions from May 2021 continued in June.

Extreme drought conditions from April 2021 continued in May.

Extreme drought conditions from March 2021 continued in April.

Extreme drought conditions from February 2021 continued in March.

Heavy snow fell in the Chuska Mountains over the three day event with the heaviest snow in the area observed on February 16th and 17th. A SNOTEL near Toadlena received an estimated 11 inches of snow.

Extreme drought conditions from January 2021 continued in February.

Extreme drought conditions from December 2020 continued in January 2021.

Extreme drought conditions from November 2020 continued in December.

Extreme drought conditions from October 2020 continued in November.

Severe drought conditions from September 2020 worsened to extreme drought in October.

Severe drought conditions from August 2020 continued in September.

Severe drought conditions developed across the Chuska Mountains during August 2020. Below normal precipitation amounts set the stage for deteriorating drought conditions.

Severe drought conditions from December 2019 improved to moderate drought in January 2020.

Severe drought conditions from November 2019 continued in December.

Severe drought conditions from October 2019 continued in November.

Severe drought conditions from September 2019 continued in October.

Severe drought conditions from September 2019 continued in October.

Severe drought conditions developed during September 2019. Record low precipitation amounts during July and August set the stage for deteriorating drought conditions.

Severe drought conditions from March 2019 improved to moderate drought in April.

The Navajo Whiskey SNOTEL reported 16 inches of snow with rates near one inch per hour for several hours. Severe travel conditions were reported along NM-134.

Severe drought conditions from February 2019 continued through March. Far western portions of the area improved to moderate drought.

The Navajo Whiskey SNOTEL reported 15 inches of snow. Difficult travel was reported through Narbona Pass.

The Navajo Whiskey SNOTEL reported 11 inches of snow.