Lower Chama River Valley storm history

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

Extreme drought conditions from February 2019 improved to severe drought in March.

Extreme drought conditions from January 2019 continued through February.

Snowfall amounts ranged from two to seven inches from Espanola to Alcalde. Difficult to severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported.

Exceptional drought conditions from December 2018 improved to extreme drought in January 2019.

Snowfall amounts ranged from two to seven inches from Espanola to Alcalde. Difficult to severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported.

Exceptional drought conditions from November continued through December 2018.

Exceptional drought conditions from October continued through November 2018.

Exceptional drought conditions from September continued through October 2018.

Exceptional drought conditions from August continued through September 2018.

Exceptional drought conditions from July continued through August 2018.

Exceptional drought conditions from June continued through July 2018.

Exceptional drought conditions from May continued through June 2018.

Extreme drought conditions from April deteriorated to exceptional drought on May 15, 2018.

Extreme drought conditions from March continued through April 2018.

Severe drought conditions from February deteriorated to extreme drought on March 27, 2018.

Severe drought conditions continued through February over the Lower Chama River Valley. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during mid to late February with only light rain and snow amounts.

Severe drought conditions were declared on January 23, 2018 for the Lower Chama River Valley area around Abiquiu and Espanola. Precipitation amounts were well below normal during the last three months of 2017 coupled with warm temperatures. A couple quick-hitting, weak storm syst…

Various reports across the area indicated between 4 and 6 inches of snowfall with hazardous travel conditions. This was the first significant snowfall event for this winter season.

CoCoRaHS reports around the Espanola area averaged between 3 and 7 inches of snowfall. The bulk of the snow fell in a heavy band during the early morning hours of the 28th.

CoCoRaHS and trained spotter reports indicated between 2 and 7 inches of snow.

Mesonet site at Los Alamos National Laboratory reported 60 mph gust.

Numerous reports from trained spotters, CoCoRaHS, public, and social media across the area reported between 2 and 4 inches of snow.

Frozen pipes busted and flooded the office at the Coyote Ranger Station. About 40,000 gallons of water saturated the office. Damage estimate is approximate.

The Chimayo Fire, near Highway 76 and County Road 87, was started when hot jumper cables were laid on dry vegetation. The fire, 10 acres in size, scorched Bureau of Land Management and privately owned land. In total, two homes and two outbuildings were burned.

Approximately 4 to 5 inches of snow fell across the lower Chama River Valley.