After the first winter storm earlier in the month, portions of southwest New Mexico received light snow accumulations with a second upper level system, but it was the third system that brought another round of widespread heavy snow. Another back door cold front moved down the plains on the 4th and westward through the gaps of the central mountain chain.  Snow developed along the front, including in central New Mexico, and continued through the early afternoon hours of the 5th before the upper level system moved eastward. Unlike the first winter storm, however, some of the heaviest snows were found across central portions of the state, even portions of Rio Rancho. Even Interstate 25 was closed south of Belen due to treacherous driving conditions.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 05-DEC-11 03:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Near Dulce, between 2 and 5 inches of snow was reported.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 21:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Over 6 inches of snow was reported near Corona.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Ski Apache received approximately 11 inches of new snow.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Around Conchas, 2 to 5 inches of snow was reported.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 23:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow began once the front moved into the area. Amounts of 4 to 8 inches were common in and near Laguna Pueblo, while up to a foot of snow as reported around Alamo.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 05-DEC-11 06:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The heaviest snows were across the eastern portion of the southwest mountains.  Near Magdalena, up to 10 inches of snow was reported.

Heavy Snow in SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 21:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The southeast slopes of the San Juan Mountains received the most snowfall.  The Bateman SNOTEL picked up 10 inches of fresh snow.

Heavy Snow in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 21:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Between 12 and 13 inches were reported across the Jemez Mountains by both the cooperative observer and the Pajarito Ski Area.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The Angel Fire Ski Area picked up over 8 inches of new snow.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 19:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The Red River Ski Area picked up over 8 inches of new snow.

Heavy Snow in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 19:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four inches of snow was reported around Santa Rosa.

Heavy Snow in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Four inches of snow was reported near Ragland.

Heavy Snow in LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 23:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Around 5 to 6 inches of snow fell across the lower Chama River Valley.

Heavy Snow in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 23:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Between 4 and 7 inches of snow fell across the Santa Fe Area.

Heavy Snow in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 23:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An east wind prevented the eastern sides of the city from seeing more than an inch or so of snow, however, west and northwestern portions of the metro area, including Rio Rancho, received around 4 to 6 inches of snow.  Far northwestern portions of Rio Rancho reported up to 10 inches of new snow.

Heavy Snow in LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 23:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The lower Rio Grande Valley saw between 3 and 10.5 inches of snow. This caused portions of Interstate 25 to be shut down due to hazardous road conditions.  Two semi trucks jackknifed on the interstate at mile marker 140.

Heavy Snow in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Four to seven inches of snow was reported across Curry County.

Heavy Snow in ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 19:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four inches of snow was reported around Portales.

Heavy Snow in DE BACA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four inches of snow was reported around Fort Sumner.

Heavy Snow in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 22:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Three to 5 inches of snow was reported across Roswell.

Heavy Snow in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 22:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Widespread snowfall amounts of 8 to 14 inches were reported. 14 inches of snow was reported at both Manzano and Sandia Ski Area.

Heavy Snow in ESTANCIA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 21:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Another 7 to 10 inches of snow was reported across the Estancia Valley.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 21:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Three to five inches of snow was reported across the central highlands.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-11 22:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

More than four inches of snow was reported across eastern Lincoln County.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHWEST CHAVES COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 05-DEC-11 02:00:00 to 05-DEC-11 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Between 5 and 8 inches of snow was reported across southwest Chaves County.