A weak upper level trough, combined with a back door cold front and abundant moisture, set the stage for heavy snow across much of central and eastern New Mexico. The front quickly moved across the plains and easterly upslope flow behind the front helped focus the heaviest snow amounts along the east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo and Sandia Mountains.  The front pushed through the gaps of the central mountain chain near Santa Fe, allowing significant snows to develop over the capital city just after morning rush hour on the 16th. However, farther south, around the Albuquerque Metro area, the front was delayed, and the precipitation remained as rain until the evening hours. The snow created multiple traffic problems, and portions of both I-40 and  I-25 were closed for a time due to hazardous road conditions and multiple accidents.

Heavy Snow in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 10:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Between 4 and 7 inches of snow fell around the Taos area.

Heavy Snow in LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 10:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The Espanola cooperative observer reported just over 4 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 10:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

The Santa Fe Metro area was one of the hardest hit areas from this winter storm.  6 to 10 inches of snow was common in Santa Fe, however further south near Lamy, Madrid and Gallisteo, up to 22 inches of snow was measured. Interstate 25 was closed for a time from Santa Fe northward to Las Vegas due to treacherous driving conditions.

Heavy Snow in SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 00:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The higher elevations above Chama picked up 8 inches of new snow.

Heavy Snow in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 00:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Ski sites and SNOTELS in the Jemez Mountains picked up between 8 and 12 inches of snow. The White Rock and Los Alamos areas received between 5 and 8 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 07:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Ski sites and SNOTELS on the west slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains received between 10 and 20 inches of fresh snow.  Other areas received up to 10 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 08:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Northwestern portions of Guadalupe County received the bulk of the snow.  Around 8 inches fell in Anton Chico.

Heavy Snow in NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 05:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Near and just southwest of Cuba, around 4 inches of new snow fell.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 05:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Taos ski area picked up a foot of new snow, while SNOTELs in the area received up to 9 inches.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 05:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Areas near and just east of Dulce picked up just over 4 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 05:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snow fell fast and furious across the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The Santa Fe SNOTEL and the Santa Fe Ski area received between 15 and 16 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 05:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Though all of the east slopes received snow, the heaviest amounts were found in San Miguel County. 20 inches of snow fell at Mineral Hill.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 17:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Southwest of Corona, around 5 inches of snow fell. The snow packed roads caused a passenger bus to lose control on U.S. 54 15 miles south of Corona at 745 am local time.  The bus collided with a cattle truck and overturned. The bus driver and 19 passengers were hospitalized, some with critical injuries.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 05:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four to 6 inches was common across the Central Highlands, however, areas closest to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains picked up significantly higher amounts.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 05:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Between 3 and 8 inches of snow fell across the northeast highlands.  The highest amounts fell southwest of Wagon Mound.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 05:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Easterly upslope flow contributed to significant snowfall accumulations around the Las Vegas area.  East of Interstate 25, 6 to 12 inches of snow was common, however, along and west of the interstate, up to 2 feet of snow fell.  Snow totals include 24 inches at Romeroville, 18 inches around Las Vegas, and 10 inches at Los Montoyas.  I-25 was closed for a time due to dangerous driving conditions.

Heavy Snow in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 14:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The west side of Albuquerque northeastward through Rio Rancho and Placitas were the hardest hit areas. 3 to 7 inches of snow quickly accumulated on roads and grassy surfaces.  The Albuquerque valley, northeast heights and foothills had less than an inch of snow.  Most of the precipitation in these areas stayed as rain.

Heavy Snow in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 06:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Eight to 16 inches of snow was common over the Sandia Mountains, with many areas reporting around a foot exactly. However, Sandia Ski Area reported a whopping 28 inches of new snow.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 14:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Around Tohajiillee, 6 to 7 inches of snow was reported. Just west of Grants, a man driving too fast for the wintry conditions on Interstate 40, loss control and veered off the highway.  The 65-year old man died when the vehicle struck lava rocks and overturned.

Heavy Snow in ESTANCIA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 05:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Between 4 and 9 inches of snow fell across the Estancia Valley.

Heavy Snow in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 18:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Three to 5 inches of snow fell across Union County.

Heavy Snow in HARDING COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 16:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Around 4 inches of snow fell across Harding County.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-10 16:00:00 to 17-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Two to 6 inches of snow fell across eastern San Miguel County.