Two successive upper level storm systems effectively brought a one-two punch to New Mexico.  Winter weather began on the 31st of January when an arctic cold front blasted through the eastern plains.  Snow began that evening in earnest across the eastern plains and central mountain chain.  Rain also changed to snow across the west as temperatures plummeted. Snow continued into the 2nd, which was followed by extremely cold temperatures area wide that not only shattered daily records on the 3rd but at some locales broke the all-time coldest temperatures on record.  It was the most significant outbreak of arctic air since January 1941.  Snow totals exceeded one foot in many mountain locales, while somewhat lower amounts were noted below 7500 feet.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Around 8 inches of snow fell near and in Magdalena.  Elsewhere, 3 to 6 inch amounts were common.

Heavy Snow in SAN FRANCISCO RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

In Reserve, up to 6 inches of snow fell.

Heavy Snow in SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snow amounts varied between 8 and 15 inches across the San Juan Mountains.  Chama received the greatest amount at 15 inches, though most of the SNOTELs in the area picked up between 8 and 10 inches.

Heavy Snow in HARDING COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Up to 4 inches of snow fell in Harding County.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Between 7 and 13 inches of snow fell across the south central highlands. Along Highway 54, approximately 15 miles south of Corona, a family of four skidded off the road and landed upside down in a 30 foot deep ravine. Highway workers patrolling the area found and rescued the family.  The family sustained some injuries and showed early signs of hypothermia.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Up to 4 inches of snow fell in eastern San Miguel County.

Heavy Snow in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Between 2 and 6 inches of snow fell across Guadalupe County, with the highest amounts across western portions of the county.

Heavy Snow in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Vacas Locas SNOTEL picked up 8 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Between 8 and 12 inches of snow fell across the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Over a foot of snow was reported at the Tres Ritos and Gallegos Peak SNOTELs as well as the Sipapu Ski Area.

Heavy Snow in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Generally 3 to 4 inches of snow fell around the Santa Fe area, however, localized amounts up to 6 inches were reported.

Heavy Snow in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

On the east side of Albuquerque, 4 to 6 inches of snow was common.  West of Interstate 25, amounts were generally 1 to 2 inches.  Three to 6 inches was also common around Belen, Los Lunas and Bosque Farms.  Spotters also reported hearing thunder around Albuquerque.

Heavy Snow in LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four to 6 inches of snow was common around Socorro, though further east, near Bingham, around 10 inches of snow was reported.

Heavy Snow in UPPER TULAROSA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Approximately 5 inches of snow fell around Carrizozo.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Amounts varied significantly across the south central mountains.  However, around Alto and Ruidoso, more than a foot of snow was common. The highest elevations around Sierra Blanca received 18 inches or more.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Between 3 and 10 inches of snow fell across eastern Lincoln County.  The highest amounts were several miles north of Encinoso.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Between one and two feet of snow fell across the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow totals varied from 3 to 8 inches across the far northeast highlands, though the highest amounts were noted southwest of Wagon Mound.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHWEST CHAVES COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

About 6 inches of snow fell around Dunken.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Between 8 and 15 inches of snow was common across the east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Heavy Snow in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Between 4 and 6 inches of snow fell around Taos.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The highest snow totals were generally along and west of Interstate 25 where 6 to 12 inches of snow was reported.  During the evening of the 31st, 3 to 4 inch snow rates existed at times around San Jose.

Heavy Snow in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Up to 4 inches of snow fell around Clayton.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Approximately 4 to 5 inches of snow fell around Gallup.  Lesser amounts were noted farther south.

Heavy Snow in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Eight to 13 inches of snow was common across the mountains, though locally higher amounts around Sandia Peak were reported.

Heavy Snow in ESTANCIA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

About 9 inches of snow fell in Moriarty, though around 6 inches of snow was reported near Stanley.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Six to 8 inches of snow was common across the central highlands.

Heavy Snow in NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four inches of snow fell around Crownpoint.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 02-FEB-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Between 3 and 7 inches of snow fell across the west central highlands.  Amounts included 4 inches at Grants and nearly 7 inches around Acoma.