A slow moving upper level storm system sliding southeast out of the Great Basin interacted with a potent back door cold front sliding south down the Front Range to produce widespread heavy snowfall, strong to damaging winds, and blizzard to near blizzard conditions for much of eastern New Mexico. Widespread major impacts to travel developed across the eastern plains where nearly every U.S. and state highway as well as Interstates 25 and 40 were closed for several hours to even days. Snow and blowing snow produced drifts as high as 5 feet along the TX state line.

Blizzard in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 24-FEB-13 17:00:00 to 25-FEB-13 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts ranging from 3-10 inches were reported from co-op observers across the county. Sustained wind speeds in the mid forties along with gusts into the fifties were recorded in the county as well. NM DOT closed the main interstate that runs through this county as well as several side roads in the area due to the hazardous blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 24-FEB-13 17:00:00 to 25-FEB-13 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts ranging from 3-6 inches were reported from co-op observers across the county. Wind gusts into the fifties were recorded. Some thunder and lightning was reported in this system from observers. NM DOT closed the main interstate that runs through this county as well as several side roads in the area due to the hazardous blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in DE BACA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 24-FEB-13 17:00:00 to 25-FEB-13 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts ranging from 3-5 inches were reported from co-op observers across the county. Wind gusts nearing 70 mph were recorded.  NM DOT closed several side roads in the area due to the hazardous blizzard conditions.

Heavy Snow in ESTANCIA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 24-FEB-13 17:00:00 to 25-FEB-13 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts ranging from 4-9 inches were reported across the zone. NM DOT also closed down I-40 eastbound through this area due to hazardous driving conditions in snow and blowing snow.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 24-FEB-13 17:00:00 to 25-FEB-13 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts ranging from 3-6 inches were reported across the zone. NM DOT also closed down I-40 eastbound through this area due to hazardous driving conditions in snow and blowing snow.

Heavy Snow in RATON RIDGE/JOHNSON MESA, NEW MEXICO
From 24-FEB-13 11:00:00 to 25-FEB-13 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Snowfall amounts of 2-5 inches were reported across the zone. Along with the snow there were recorded sustained wind speeds in the mid 50's with gusts nearing 70 mph. Side roads leading from Clayton to Raton were closed during this storm by NM DOT due to hazardous driving conditions.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 24-FEB-13 11:00:00 to 25-FEB-13 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts of 3-6 inches were reported across the zone.

Heavy Snow in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 24-FEB-13 11:00:00 to 25-FEB-13 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts of 2-5 inches were reported across the zone. There were also some road closures in the area due to hazardous driving conditions in snow and blowing snow per NM DOT.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 24-FEB-13 23:00:00 to 25-FEB-13 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts of 3-5 inches were reported across the zone. Sustained wind speeds nearing 40 mph sustained and gusts into the 50's were recorded in this zone. There were also some road closures across the northern part of the area due to hazardous driving conditions in snow and blowing snow per NM DOT.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 24-FEB-13 17:00:00 to 25-FEB-13 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts ranging from 3-6 inches were reported across the zone. Several roads were closed across the area due to hazardous driving conditions.

Blizzard in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 24-FEB-13 17:00:00 to 25-FEB-13 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts ranging from 4-8 inches were reported from co-op observers across the county. Wind gusts in the 40's were reported. NM DOT closed the main interstate that runs through this county as well as several side roads in the area due to the hazardous blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 24-FEB-13 17:00:00 to 25-FEB-13 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts ranging from 5-12 inches were reported from co-op observers across the county with drifts measuring over one foot. Gusts into the fifties were recorded. NM DOT closed the main interstate that runs through this county as well as several side roads in the area due to the hazardous blizzard conditions. There was also a report of a power outage due to storm (Twitter) but can not be confirmed. Local news media reported 2 days after the event that an 81 year old man had died after he slipped on ice and hit his head while shoveling his driveway after the storm.

Heavy Snow in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 24-FEB-13 23:00:00 to 25-FEB-13 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts of 2-4 inches were reported across the zone. Wind speeds sustained in the 30's with gusts into the 50's were also observed with this system. There were also some road closures in the area due to hazardous driving conditions in snow and blowing snow per NM DOT.