After a very strong back door frontal passage on December 1st, which plowed through the eastern plains and westward through the gaps of the central mountain chain toward the Arizona border, much cooler temperatures were in place across the state. Then on the 2nd and 3rd, an upper level storm system swept across New Mexico.  A nearly perfect setup for the state, significant snows were reported from south central New Mexico across far northeast New Mexico along a heavy band of snow. Lighter amounts of snow were reported elsewhere.  Traffic was significantly impacted across the region.

Heavy Snow in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 17:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Between 3 and 8 inches of snow was reported across Santa Rosa.

Heavy Snow in DE BACA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 20:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Up to 4 inches of snow fell across De Baca County.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 18:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The northeastern portion of Lincoln County received between 6 to 7 inches of snow.

Freezing Fog in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 05:00:00 to 02-DEC-11 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Two people were killed in separate rollover accidents on Interstate 40 near Clines Corners during the morning hours of the 2nd. The first crash occurred around 7 am near exit 218.  The second occurred approximately 3 miles east a half an hour later, taking the life of a 70 year-old man.  Both drivers lost control due to icy roadways.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 16:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Around 7 inches of snow fell in Abbott.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 16:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Around 5 to 6 inches of snow fell around Las Vegas.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 14:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer in Dulce reported approximately 6 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 19:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Between 2 and 5 inches of snow was reported across the upper Rio Grande Valley.

Heavy Snow in LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 12:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Up to 4 inches of snow was reported near the Bingham area.

Heavy Snow in LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 19:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Up to 5 inches of snow was reported across the lower Chama River Valley.

Heavy Snow in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 14:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The heavy snow band set up along the Manzano Mountains, dropping up to a foot of snow.

Heavy Snow in ESTANCIA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 15:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The heavy snow band stretched across the Estancia Valley dropping around 4 to 6 inches of snow, but localized areas received up to 10 inches.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 15:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four to six inches of snow fell across the central highlands.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 13:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Six inches of snow fell in Claunch, while 6.5 inches of snow fell southeast of Corona.

Heavy Snow in UPPER TULAROSA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 16:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Approximately 6 to 7 inches of snow fell around the Valley of Fires Recreation Area near Carrizozo.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 18:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Sierra Blanca SNOTEL picked up around 11 inches of snow.  Lower elevations received between 4 and 7 inches.

Heavy Snow in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 16:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Parts of Union County were inundated with snow.  Southwestern portions of the county received between 8 and 12.5 inches of snow.  Further east, 3 to 5 inches of snow was common.

Heavy Snow in HARDING COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 16:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The western portions of Harding County received up to 10 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 02-DEC-11 16:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four to six inches of snow was common across eastern San Miguel County.