A potent winter storm system surged south across the northern Rockies into NM,  ushering in a potent cold front and areas of heavy snow.  Strong forcing for lift between the Pacific cold front and the arctic back door cold front developed an area of heavy snow from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains south and east to the Santa Fe metro area and the central and northeast highlands.  Lighter snowfall amounts were reported across surrounding areas. Heavy snow and very cold temperatures created exceptionally high snow ratios where some areas of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains reported snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour.  The coldest temperatures of the season moved into the region behind this storm system.  NMDOT reported difficult to severe travel conditions along portions of Interstates 25 and 40, as well as several other state highways in northeastern New Mexico.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 09-DEC-12 06:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts around 2 inches were reported in the area however the combination of wind and snow likely created winter storm conditions during this period.  Treacherous travel conditions developed along Interstate 25 per NMDOT.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 09-DEC-12 06:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts of 2 to 6 inches were reported across this region.  The combination of snow and wind created treacherous travel conditions along Interstate 25.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 09-DEC-12 08:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts between 3 and 4 inches were reported across this area.  The combination of cold, snow, and wind created treacherous travel conditions along Interstate 40 for several hours per NMDOT.

Heavy Snow in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 09-DEC-12 10:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Snowfall amounts of 2 to 6 inches were reported from various sources including spotters, amateur radio, and COOP observers.

Strong Wind in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 09-DEC-12 15:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 15:01:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Twenty foot tree downed near Seven Bar Loop and La Sierrita.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 09-DEC-12 08:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

SNOTEL, public reports, including ski sites reported snowfall amounts ranging from 7 to 15 inches within the area from the eastern foothills of Santa Fe north to near Tres Ritos and foothills east of Taos.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 09-DEC-12 06:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts between 6 and 13 inches were reported from various public sources, including ski areas and COOP data.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 09-DEC-12 06:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snowfall amounts between 11 and 16 inches were reported from SNOTELs and the public including ski areas.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 09-DEC-12 06:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts between 5 and 14 inches were reported from various locations, including COOP, ski areas, SNOTELs, and the public.

Heavy Snow in RATON RIDGE/JOHNSON MESA, NEW MEXICO
From 09-DEC-12 06:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts of 3 to near 6 inches were reported across this region.  The combination of snow and gusty winds produced hazardous travel in the area per NMDOT, especially at Raton Pass. It is probably that winter storm conditions occurred in this region.