Strong winds and precipitation moved in for the first weekend of March as a slow-moving moisture rich storm impacted northern and central New Mexico. A Pacific cold front moved into the state Saturday afternoon ushering in gusty southwest winds as well as a thick fetch of moisture ahead of a closed low off the coast of California. Strong winds aloft developed by the late morning and early afternoon as the strong winds began to mix down to the surface creating occasional gusts up to 60mph across the central mountain chain and eastward.  Moisture levels in the atmosphere were at or above 200% of normal. Precipitation began Saturday afternoon with snow accumulating across the Chuska and northern mountains.  Snow levels began above 7500 feet before dropping to 5500 feet across northwest areas Saturday evening.  The closed low weakened and crossed the state through the weekend with valley rain and high terrain snow reported across much of western, central and northern portions of the state.  A secondary peak in precipitation occurred Saturday night into early Sunday in association with a cold front across the northeast plains.  Precipitation tapered off from west to east through Sunday afternoon leaving behind dangerous driving conditions in eastern New Mexico due to the wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-14 08:15:00 to 01-MAR-14 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Sierra Blanca AWOS recorded high sustained wind speeds ranging from 40 to 45 mph with a peak gust up to 59 mph during the afternoon of March 1, 2014.

Heavy Snow in CHUSKA MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-14 06:00:00 to 02-MAR-14 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Navajo Whiskey Creek SNOTEL in western New Mexico recorded 11 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-14 06:00:00 to 02-MAR-14 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Silver Creek Divide SNOTEL recorded 12 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-14 06:00:00 to 02-MAR-14 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Numerous sources across the zone reported snowfall amounts ranging from 4 to 10 inches.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-14 10:00:00 to 02-MAR-14 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Numerous sources, including a Ski site,  across the zone reported snowfall amounts ranging from 2 to 12 inches.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-14 10:00:00 to 02-MAR-14 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Numerous sources, including a Ski site, trained observers and other federal agencies,   across the zone reported snowfall amounts ranging from 5 to 20 inches.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-14 10:00:00 to 02-MAR-14 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Numerous sources, including a Ski site and the Wesner Springs SNOTEL, reported snowfall amounts ranging from 9 to 13 inches across the zone.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-14 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-14 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Sierra Blanca SNOTEL recorded 13 inches of snow.