Record snows measuring in feet instead of the usual inches developed across central and northeastern New Mexico as an upper level closed low remained nearly stationary for about 36 hours over southwest areas of the state.  Long sweeping bands of moderate to heavy snow then repeated across the south central and southeast counties and north into the Interstate 40 corridor including the Albuquerque area which saw over a foot of heavy snow in many sections of the city and two feet along the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. The storm eventually broke free and drifted northeast creating long periods of heavy snow from Albuquerque north over the northern mountains and into the Interstate 25 corridor to Raton. The storm finally ended following a period of blizzard conditions at Clayton and over the adjacent northeast plains. Many of the ski resort areas of the north received nearly 30 inches with Angel Fire reporting an extreme amount of 58 inches for a 48 hour storm total. The localized high winds of near 40 mph combined with 30 inches of snow to produce drifts of 9 to 12 feet across Union County and Harding Counties where widespread road closures stranded travelers and prevented ranchers from reaching cattle with feed for nearly 5 days afterwards. In one case a local ranch family hosted about 40 stranded motorists for over 48 hours in their small rural home. Travel along both Interstate 25 and Interstate 40 to the north and east of Albuquerque was plagued by extended closures as the New Year's Holiday began and then blowing snow followed the storm into New Year's Day.

Blizzard in FAR NORTHEAST PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 29-DEC-06 22:00:00 to 31-DEC-06 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Blizzard conditions and extreme snows of 30 inches developed across far northeast New Mexico in the final stages of storms that had plagued other areas of the state for nearly 36 hours. Wide spread road closures stranded numerous motorists that took refuge as quests in nearby ranch homes. Air national guard helicopters were used to bring hay and feed to cattle herds which were isolated by impassable roads for near 5 days afterwards.

Winter Storm in ROOSEVELT, NEW MEXICO
From 29-DEC-06 13:00:00 to 30-DEC-06 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy snow of 3 to 8 inches across east central and southeast New Mexico.

Winter Storm in DE BACA, NEW MEXICO
From 29-DEC-06 13:00:00 to 30-DEC-06 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy snow of 3 to 8 inches across east central and southeast New Mexico.

Winter Storm in SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 29-DEC-06 04:00:00 to 31-DEC-06 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy snows of 14 to 36 inches and gusty winds were reported across much of the northern mountains including the lower elevation communities from Santa Fe and Los Alamos north to Espanola, Taos, and Red River.

Winter Storm in CONCHAS LAKE/GUADALUPE, NEW MEXICO
From 29-DEC-06 13:00:00 to 30-DEC-06 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy snow of 3 to 8 inches across east central and southeast New Mexico.

Winter Storm in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 29-DEC-06 13:00:00 to 30-DEC-06 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy snow of 3 to 8 inches across east central and southeast New Mexico.

Winter Storm in LINCOLN COUNTY HIGH PLAINS/HONDO VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 29-DEC-06 13:00:00 to 30-DEC-06 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy snow of 6 to 12 inches across Lincoln County.

Winter Storm in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 29-DEC-06 04:00:00 to 31-DEC-06 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy snows of 16 to 22 inches with gusty winds were reported across much of the northeast highlands mainly west of Interstate 25. Angel Fire was an anomaly of extreme snow with a two and half day total at the ski area of 58 inches.

Blizzard in HARDING, NEW MEXICO
From 29-DEC-06 22:00:00 to 31-DEC-06 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Blizzard conditions and extreme snows of 30 inches developed across far northeast New Mexico in the final stages of storms that had plagued other areas of the state for nearly 36 hours. Wide spread road closures stranded numerous motorists that took refuge as quests in nearby ranch homes. Air national guard helicopters were used to bring hay and feed to cattle herds which were isolated by impassable roads for near 5 days afterwards.

Winter Storm in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 29-DEC-06 04:00:00 to 31-DEC-06 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Record snows of 16 to 32 inches were reported over the Sandia Mountains and nearby east mountain communities from Mountainair north through Edgewood into southern Santa Fe County. Road crews struggled to keep Interstate 40 and other main state roads open. Residents across the Estancia Valley and in the east mountain communities were stranded for 24 to 48 hours.

Heavy Snow in LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-DEC-06 23:00:00 to 30-DEC-06 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy of 3 to 5 inches across central Socorro County impact travel along Interstate 25 and amounts of estimated by satellite cover at near 12 inches in eastern border areas of Socorro County.

Winter Storm in NORTHWEST MOUNTAINS INCLUDING JEMEZ, NEW MEXICO
From 29-DEC-06 04:00:00 to 31-DEC-06 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy snows of 14 to 36 inches and gusty winds were reported across much of the northern mountains including the lower elevation communities from Santa Fe and Los Alamos north to Espanola, Taos, and Red River.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS/UPPER GILA REGION, NEW MEXICO
From 28-DEC-06 23:00:00 to 30-DEC-06 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy of 6 to 10 inches across the mountains of Catron and western Socorro  County.

Winter Storm in QUAY, NEW MEXICO
From 29-DEC-06 13:00:00 to 30-DEC-06 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy snow of 3 to 8 inches across east central and southeast New Mexico.

Winter Storm in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 29-DEC-06 04:00:00 to 31-DEC-06 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy snows of 14 to 36 inches and gusty winds were reported across much of the northern mountains including the lower elevation communities from Santa Fe and Los Alamos north to Espanola, Taos, and Red River.

Heavy Snow in WESTCENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-DEC-06 23:00:00 to 30-DEC-06 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy of 6 to 14 inches across the west central mountains with lighter amounts of 3 to 6 inches along Interstate 40 from Grants to Gallup.

Winter Storm in MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 29-DEC-06 04:00:00 to 31-DEC-06 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Record snows of 16 to 26 inches were reported across Albuquerque and Rio Rancho and in the nearby east mountain communities of the Sandia and Manzano Mountains. Many city streets were clogged and almost impassable for 24 to 36 hours. Travel north along Interstate 25 and east on Interstate 40 was restricted with long periods of closures as crews struggled to keeping road open in the steady and heavy snow.

Winter Storm in CENTRAL HIGH PLAINS/ESTANCIA VALLEY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 29-DEC-06 04:00:00 to 31-DEC-06 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Record snows of 16 to 28 inches were reported over the Estancia Valley and the central highlands north and south of Interstate 40. Road crews struggled to keep Interstate 40 and other main state roads open. Residents across served by small rural roads were stranded for 24 to 48 hours. Snow drifts buried the Clines Corners ASOS weather platform.

Winter Storm in CURRY, NEW MEXICO
From 29-DEC-06 13:00:00 to 30-DEC-06 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy snow of 3 to 8 inches across east central and southeast New Mexico.