The third and final storm during the week of January 18th delivered heavy snow to much of western and central New Mexico from the morning of the 21st through the day on the 23rd. The first band of snow occurred on the morning of the 21st over far west and northwest sections of the state. Then, a strong cold front swept through the state on the 22nd, bringing a round of heavy snow across much of western and central New Mexico. An additional upper level disturbance crossed the southern portion of the state on the 23rd, bringing central and southern areas some additional snowfall.

Heavy Snow in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 22-JAN-10 04:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Areas above 7500 feet generally picked up over 8 inches of snow. Sandia Ski area received over a foot of snow from this storm.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 22-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The Ruidoso area picked up between 8 and 12 inches of fresh snow.  Ski Apache, at over 10000 feet, received over a foot and a half of fresh powder.

Heavy Snow in UPPER TULAROSA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-JAN-10 01:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A band of heavy snow set up over the Upper Tularosa Valley early on the 23rd.  It did not take long for 8 inches of snow to accumulate around Carrizozo.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 22-JAN-10 05:00:00 to 22-JAN-10 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Between 4 and 5 inches of snow fell around Corona.

Heavy Snow in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 21-JAN-10 04:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

In general, between 6 and 14 inches of snow fell across the Jemez Mountains.  The highest amounts were reported above 9000 feet.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 21-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Just over a foot of snow was reported at the Sipapu Ski Area.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 21-JAN-10 11:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Areas above 9000 feet generally picked up over 8 inches of snow.  The largest snow total was reported from Angel Fire Ski area, which was a total of 12 inches.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 21-JAN-10 04:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Up to 18 inches of snow fell across the Zuni Mountains of west central New Mexico. Elsewhere, between 6 and 12 inches of snow fell.

Heavy Snow in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 21-JAN-10 11:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Up to 14 inches of snow fell around Tres Piedras.  However, lower elevations did not miss out.  Areas around Taos received around 9 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 21-JAN-10 04:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Impressive snowfall totals were reported across the Southwest Mountains, despite some strong warm air advection that occurred the late evening of the 21st and early morning hours of the 22nd.  Areas around Luna picked up just over a foot of snow, while the Silver Creek Divide SNOTEL east of Mogollon picked up just over 2 feet of snow.

Heavy Snow in SAN FRANCISCO RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 21-JAN-10 04:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Above 6000 feet, 4 to 6 inches of snow quickly fell across the San Francisco River Valley.

Heavy Snow in SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 21-JAN-10 04:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The west slopes of the San Juan Mountains were hit the hardest. Nearly 2 feet of snow fell in Chama, while 18 inches was reported in El Vado.

Heavy Snow in NORTHWEST PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 21-JAN-10 04:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Elevation played a big role in snowfall accumulations across the Northwest Plateau.  Areas in the valley picked up between 4 and 6 inches of snowfall, while higher elevation areas to the north of Farmington received up to 11 inches.

Heavy Snow in CHUSKA MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 21-JAN-10 02:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Chuska Mountains picked up near 2 feet of snowfall from this storm.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 21-JAN-10 02:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Up to 2 feet of fresh snow fell across the Far Northwest Highlands.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 21-JAN-10 02:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Between 4 and 13 inches of snow fell across the West Central Plateau.  The heaviest snow was generally found above 6500 feet. Areas near Fence Lake reported 12.5 inches of snow, while the Gallup area generally received between 6 and 8 inches.

Heavy Snow in NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 21-JAN-10 04:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Between 4 and 12 inches of snow fell across the Northwest Highlands.  The heaviest snow fell around Cuba.  However, the effects of the cold and snow were felt elsewhere. A 31 year old man died of exposure in Crownpoint on the 23rd. His body was found north of the chapter house with his lower legs and feet touching the snowy ground.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 21-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The ski areas picked up around 18 inches of fresh powder across the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 21-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 23-JAN-10 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Over 8 inches of snow was reported across the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, though some locations, including the Santa Fe Ski Area, picked up several more inches.