The first winter storm to impact New Mexico since the widespread mid November event delivered a hard blow to the state. A relatively moisture starved, disorganized, and slow-moving upper level storm system over the Great Basin chugged eastward across Arizona on the 11th then bombed out over New Mexico on the 12th and 13th. Strong dynamics and a tap of subtropical moisture gathered with cold air moving into the state to produce widespread heavy snowfall. Hazardous travel conditions were reported across much of the area as snowfall persisted for several hours from the 12th through the 13th. This was a top-25 two day snowfall event at the Albuquerque Sunport where 5.4 inches of snow fell. As low pressure intensified over northeastern New Mexico early on the 13th, blizzard conditions were reported across Union County. Whiteout conditions developed at Clayton for nearly 6 hours straight. Snow drifts reached 2 feet and numerous roads were closed across the county.

Blizzard in RATON RIDGE/JOHNSON MESA, NEW MEXICO
From 12-DEC-15 10:00:00 to 13-DEC-15 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Trained spotters, COOP observers, highway department, and the public reported around 4 to 10 inches of snowfall around northeast Colfax County near the Colorado border. Drifts as high as 2 to 3 feet covered roadways with whiteout conditions. Highway 64/84 was closed for several hours.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 12-DEC-15 10:00:00 to 13-DEC-15 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Three to 7 inches of snow and blowing snow were reported from Las Vegas to Ribera. Difficult driving conditions impacted Interstate 25.

Heavy Snow in HARDING COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 12-DEC-15 10:00:00 to 13-DEC-15 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Two to four inches of snow with blowing snow, drifts, and very low visibilities were reported from Roy to Bueyeros. Difficult driving conditions impacted nearly every roadway across Harding County.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 12-DEC-15 14:00:00 to 13-DEC-15 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Up to 10 inches of snow with blowing snow, drifts, and very low visibilities were reported around Bell Ranch. Difficult driving conditions impacted nearly every roadway across eastern San Miguel County.

Heavy Snow in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 12-DEC-15 14:00:00 to 13-DEC-15 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Countywide snowfall ranged from about 8 to 10 inches of snow with the heaviest amounts falling on the caprock north of Interstate 40 from Dilia eastward. Difficult driving conditions impacted nearly every roadway across the county.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 11-DEC-15 12:00:00 to 13-DEC-15 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public, SNOTEL, and ski sites reported between 4 and 13 inches of snow with blowing snow. Difficult travel was reported across the entire area, especially mountain passes.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 11-DEC-15 12:00:00 to 13-DEC-15 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public, SNOTEL, and ski sites reported between 5 and 12 inches of snow with blowing snow. Difficult travel was reported across the entire area, especially mountain passes.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 11-DEC-15 18:00:00 to 13-DEC-15 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public, SNOTEL, and ski sites reported between 4 and 8 inches of snow with blowing snow. Difficult travel was reported across the entire area, especially mountain passes.

Heavy Snow in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 12-DEC-15 18:00:00 to 13-DEC-15 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Numerous sources from across the Albuquerque Metro area reported between 2 and 7 inches with the heaviest amounts falling east of the Interstate 25 corridor. Travel conditions were difficult mainly above 5,500 feet. The 5.4 inches reported at the Sunport was a top-25 two day snowfall event.

Heavy Snow in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 12-DEC-15 18:00:00 to 13-DEC-15 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Numerous sources from across Santa Fe south to Eldorado and Lamy reported between 3 and 9 inches. Travel conditions were difficult across the entire area.

Blizzard in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 12-DEC-15 10:00:00 to 13-DEC-15 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Trained spotters, COOP observers, highway department, and the public reported around 8 to 10 inches of snowfall around Union County, with drifts as high as 3 feet in whiteout conditions. The Clayton ASOS reported one-quarter mile visibility between 8am and 3pm with winds as high as 50 mph. U.S. Highway 64/84 and U.S. Highway 54 were closed for several hours. The webcam at Clayton showed near zero visibility.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 11-DEC-15 18:00:00 to 13-DEC-15 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public, SNOTEL, and ski sites reported between 3 and 9 inches of snow with blowing snow. Difficult travel was reported across the entire area, especially mountain passes.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 12-DEC-15 10:00:00 to 13-DEC-15 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four to 5 inches of snow with blowing snow and some drifting were reported from Raton south to Wagon Mound. Difficult driving conditions impacted Interstate 25. The Raton airport reported a peak wind of 60 mph with this event.