A strong, slow-moving upper level storm system crossed central and northern New Mexico Christmas night through the 26th. Areas of snow initially set up over northwest and west-central New Mexico late Christmas day along the associated Pacific front. As the cold front slowly moved eastward, bands of heavy snow developed and quickly expanded resulting in widespread, moderate to significant accumulations for the higher elevations of central and northern New Mexico as well as the east-central and northeast high plains. Meanwhile, a back door cold frontal boundary shifted southwest over the northeast plains and stalled along the east slopes of the central mountain chain. The combination of strong lift with the upper low and upslope flow along the front produced heavy snowfall accumulations for the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Many areas in the high terrain reported 5 to 11 inches. Moderate snowfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches were also reported along the Interstate 40 corridor around the Sandia Mountains and the Continental Divide as well as near Clines Corners and Vaughn.   Though late in the day, many areas experienced a true White Christmas if only for a few hours.

Winter Storm in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 26-DEC-14 03:00:00 to 26-DEC-14 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Trained Spotter and CoCoRaHS reports across the area indicated 3 to 6 inches of snowfall.

Winter Storm in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 25-DEC-14 13:00:00 to 26-DEC-14 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP, CoCoRaHS and SNOTEL reports across the area indicated 4 to 8 inches of snowfall.

Winter Storm in FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 25-DEC-14 11:00:00 to 26-DEC-14 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and trained spotter reports across the area indicated between 3 to 6 inches of snowfall from near Navajo Dam to the Dulce area.

Winter Storm in SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 25-DEC-14 11:00:00 to 26-DEC-14 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP, CoCoRaHS and SNOTEL reports across the area indicated between 6 to 11 inches of snowfall.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 25-DEC-14 13:00:00 to 26-DEC-14 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP, CoCoRaHS and SNOTEL reports across the area indicated 5 to 10 inches of snowfall.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 25-DEC-14 13:00:00 to 26-DEC-14 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP, CoCoRaHS and SNOTEL reports across the area indicated 5 to 10 inches of snowfall.

Winter Storm in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 25-DEC-14 13:00:00 to 26-DEC-14 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

COOP and CoCoRaHS reports across the area indicated 3 to 6 inches of snowfall, including several reports of 4 inches in and around the Taos area.

Winter Storm in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 25-DEC-14 13:00:00 to 26-DEC-14 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Trained Spotter and CoCoRaHS reports across the area indicated 3 to 7 inches of snowfall, with several reports of 8 to 9 inches along the east slopes of the Manzanos from near Escabosa to Manzano.

Winter Storm in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 26-DEC-14 03:00:00 to 26-DEC-14 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Trained Spotter and CoCoRaHS reports across the area indicated 3 to 6 inches of snowfall.