Special Weather Statement
... Accumulating snow and wind expected with the next storm
system Friday into Saturday...
Warm and Spring-like conditions over New Mexico will come to an
abrupt end by Friday and Saturday as an upper level disturbance
brings rain... snow... wind and much colder air to the area. This upper
level disturbance will dive southward out of Canada... and will
impact northwest New Mexico as early as Thursday night. These areas
of showers will turn into more widespread rain and snow over
northern and central New Mexico through the day on Friday as a
powerful cold front drops southward into the state. The cold air may
arrive in the northeast plains as early as Friday morning... where
temperatures may drop throughout the day and rain could change over
to snow during the early afternoon. As the colder air continues to
plunge into the state Friday night... snow levels will continue to
drop and many lower elevation locations will observe rain changing
to snow. The greatest potential for significant snow accumulations
is expected along the east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
and to a lesser extent along the west slopes of the sangres... the
San Juan Mountains... northeast Highlands and northeast plains. The
Jemez Mountains... upper Rio Grande Valley... central mountains and
Highlands... as well as the east Central Plains may also receive a
few inches of snow accumulation.
In addition... strong and gusty winds will accompany the storm
system. West winds possibly reaching 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50
mph will favor the Southwest Mountains... south central mountains and
adjacent east slopes of southwest Chaves County Friday afternoon. On
the eastern plains... the cold front will deliver strong north winds
Friday afternoon and night... with speeds reaching 20 to 30 mph with
gusts to 45 mph. These winds will blow the snow causing it to drift.
Wind chill readings will also drop to the teens and single digits
across the northeast and east Central Plains Friday night.
Precipitation is expected to linger into Saturday before tapering
off during the day on Saturday. High temperatures on Saturday are
expected to be 15 to 30 degrees below normal.
Some uncertainty still exists in the exact placement and amounts of
the heaviest snowfall. If you are planning travel or outdoor
activities late this week across the state... stay tuned to the latest
forecasts and statements regarding this unsettled weather scenario.
44/40
... Another bout of wintry weather expected over much of northern
and central New Mexico Friday and Saturday...
Warm and Spring-like conditions over New Mexico will come to an
abrupt end by Friday and Saturday as an upper level disturbance
brings rain... snow... and much colder air to the area. This upper
level disturbance will dive southward out of Canada... and will
impact northwestern zones of New Mexico as early as Thursday night.
These areas of showers will turn into more widespread areas of rain
and mountain snow over northern and central New Mexico through the
day on Friday.
During this time a powerful cold front will be spilling southward
into the state bringing drastically colder temperatures to the
region. As the colder air continues to plunge into the state through
Friday night... snow levels will lower and many valleys and lower
elevation areas will observe rain changing to snow. The greatest
potential for significant snow accumulations is expected to be in the
northern mountains... but many portions of northern and central New
Mexico may see light to moderate snowfall amounts. In addition...
strong and gusty winds will accompany the cold front arriving Friday
and into Friday night.
Precipitation is expected to linger into Saturday before tapering
off to the northeast by late Saturday evening. High temperatures on
Saturday are expected to be 15 to 25 degrees below normal.
Some uncertainty still exists in the exact placement and amounts of
the heaviest snowfall. If you are planning travel or outdoor
activities late this week across the state... stay tuned to the latest
forecasts and statements regarding this unsettled weather scenario.
