A powerful jet stream that surged over the area on the 3rd and 4th drove an arctic airmass south across a vast section of the western United States.  This airmass pushed into New Mexico early on the 4th and interacted with a moist upper level disturbance shifting northeast out of eastern Pacific Ocean through the 5th.  The eastern plains were socked in by low clouds, freezing fog, freezing drizzle and snow behind this front.  Meanwhile, a band of snow developed over northwestern New Mexico then shifted southeast across the Continental Divide and diminished quickly over the Rio Grande Valley.  A secondary band of snowfall then developed over southwestern New Mexico and shifted slowly northeast across the Rio Grande Valley and into the eastern plains, producing significant snowfall for the Albuquerque and Santa Fe Metro areas and the East Mountain communities.  Numerous accidents were reported along with several highway and interstate closures.  At least 2 fatalities were attributed to the wintry weather.

Heavy Snow in ESTANCIA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-13 23:00:00 to 05-DEC-13 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Storm total snowfall accumulations of roughly 3 to 6 inches were reported from amateur radio and COOP.  The heaviest snowfall accumulations occurred around Moriarty.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 05-DEC-13 02:00:00 to 05-DEC-13 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Storm total snowfall accumulations of roughly 2 to 5 inches were reported from trained spotters.  The heaviest snowfall accumulations were reported along Interstate 25 near Wagon Mound where Department of Highways reported difficult driving conditions.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 05-DEC-13 01:00:00 to 05-DEC-13 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Storm total snowfall accumulations of roughly 6 to 10 inches were reported from trained spotters and the public.  The heaviest snowfall accumulations were reported along Interstate 25 near Las Vegas and Ribera where treacherous travel conditions were reported.

Heavy Snow in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 05-DEC-13 05:00:00 to 05-DEC-13 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm total snowfall accumulations of 1 to 5 inches were reported from COOP, trained spotters, and CoCoRaHS.  The heaviest snowfall accumulations were reported around Gladstone.  Difficult driving conditions were reported across Union County.

Heavy Snow in HARDING COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 05-DEC-13 05:00:00 to 05-DEC-13 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A storm total snowfall accumulation of 5 inches was reported by a trained spotter near Bueyeros. Difficult driving conditions were reported across Harding County.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 05-DEC-13 04:00:00 to 05-DEC-13 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A storm total snowfall accumulation of 5 inches was reported by a trained spotter near Maes. Difficult driving conditions were reported across eastern San Miguel County.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 05-DEC-13 00:00:00 to 05-DEC-13 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Storm total snowfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches were reported by law enforcement and trained spotters. The heaviest snowfall accumulations occurred around Anton Chico and Milagro.  Difficult driving conditions were reported along Interstate 40.

Winter Weather in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 06-DEC-13 07:00:00 to 06-DEC-13 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

An extremely violent semi-truck crash occurred along Interstate 40 east of Clines Corners early on December 6th.  One of the semis rear-ended another semi and one of the drivers died as a result of that crash while being taken to the hospital.  Time of the crash is estimated from the media report.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-13 23:00:00 to 05-DEC-13 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm total snowfall accumulations of roughly 3 to 10 inches were reported from COOP and the public.  The heaviest snowfall accumulations were reported from far northern sections of this area along Glorieta Mesa where around 10 inches fell.  Dept of Highways reported extremely icy conditions across this area and portions of Highway 285 were closed during this event.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-13 17:00:00 to 06-DEC-13 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Storm total snowfall accumulations of roughly 10 to 12 inches were reported from SNOTEL, public, and trained spotters.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-13 17:00:00 to 06-DEC-13 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Storm total snowfall accumulations of roughly 12 to 14 inches were reported from SNOTEL and the public.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-13 17:00:00 to 06-DEC-13 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Storm total snowfall accumulations of roughly 3 to 6 inches were reported from COOP, SNOTEL, trained spotters and the public.  Dept of Highways indicated significant impacts to travel across this region due to the combination of arctic air and snow over the area.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-13 17:00:00 to 06-DEC-13 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Storm total snowfall accumulations of roughly 2 to 5 inches were reported from COOP, SNOTEL, and the public.  Dept of Highways indicated significant impacts to travel across this region due to the combination of arctic air and snow over the area.

Heavy Snow in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 05-DEC-13 02:00:00 to 05-DEC-13 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Storm total snowfall accumulations of roughly 4 to 12 inches were reported from COOP, trained spotters, CoCoRaHS and the public.  A significant band of snowfall that pushed over the area created numerous traffic accidents, major impacts to travel, education, and commerce.  The area around Eldorado and Golden were particularly hard hit with roughly 12 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 05-DEC-13 00:00:00 to 05-DEC-13 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Storm total snowfall accumulations of roughly 2 to 7 inches were reported from COOP, trained spotters, CoCoRaHS and the public.  Several traffic accidents were reported in the Albuquerque Foothills where the highest amounts were reported.  This was the greatest 24 hour snowfall in several years for many reporting stations in the metro area.  Sergeant Robert Baron with Sandoval County who was responding to a weather-related traffic incident early on the 5th was struck by another car and later died from his injuries on the 6th despite significant efforts by paramedics.

Heavy Snow in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 04-DEC-13 23:00:00 to 05-DEC-13 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Storm total snowfall accumulations of roughly 4 to 14 inches were reported from trained spotters, CoCoRaHS and the public.  Several traffic accidents were reported in the east mountains where many school cancellations occurred.  The heaviest snowfall accumulations occurred around Sandia Park and Tijeras.