A potent storm system that rapidly strengthened just west of the Four Corners on November 15th produced strong winds and widespread precipitation across the area through the 17th, including 1 to 3 feet of snow for the central and northern mountains and parts of northeastern New Mexico. Blizzard conditions developed for several hours between Raton and Clayton early on the 17th forcing the closure of I-25 between Las Vegas and Raton Pass. Treacherous travel conditions were also reported across other areas of the northeast including U.S. 64/87 between Raton and Clayton, where snow drifts between 2 and 3 feet were reported. This was the first significant snowfall event of this winter season for lower elevation areas from Taos to Espanola, Santa Fe, and the east mountain communities. Numerous school closures and delays were noted across the state on the 16th and the 17th.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-NOV-15 03:00:00 to 17-NOV-15 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

COOP site reported 4 inches of snow around Dulce. Hazardous travel conditions were reported.

Heavy Snow in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-NOV-15 02:00:00 to 17-NOV-15 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and SNOTEL reports across the area indicated between 10 and 18 inches of snowfall with hazardous travel conditions in blowing snow. Phone services were disrupted as well.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-NOV-15 04:00:00 to 17-NOV-15 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Various sources across the area indicated between 8 and 12 inches of snowfall with hazardous travel conditions in blowing snow.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 16-NOV-15 04:00:00 to 17-NOV-15 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public sources and ski sites across the area reported between 12 and 18 inches of snowfall with hazardous travel conditions in blowing snow.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 16-NOV-15 04:00:00 to 17-NOV-15 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public sources and ski sites across the area reported between 10 and 29 inches of snowfall with hazardous travel conditions in blowing snow.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-NOV-15 04:00:00 to 17-NOV-15 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Various sources across the area reported between 6 and 15 inches of snowfall with hazardous travel conditions in blowing snow.

Heavy Snow in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-NOV-15 08:00:00 to 17-NOV-15 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Various reports across the area indicated between 3 and 9 inches of snowfall with hazardous travel conditions. This was the first significant snowfall event for this winter season.

Heavy Snow in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 16-NOV-15 08:00:00 to 17-NOV-15 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Various reports across the area indicated between 4 and 8 inches of snowfall with hazardous travel conditions. This was the first significant snowfall event for this winter season.

Heavy Snow in LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-NOV-15 08:00:00 to 17-NOV-15 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Various reports across the area indicated between 4 and 6 inches of snowfall with hazardous travel conditions. This was the first significant snowfall event for this winter season.

High Wind in ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-NOV-15 18:15:00 to 16-NOV-15 18:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Heavy Snow in SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-NOV-15 02:00:00 to 17-NOV-15 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and SNOTEL reports across the area indicated between 6 and 10 inches of snowfall with hazardous travel conditions in blowing snow.

Blizzard in RATON RIDGE/JOHNSON MESA, NEW MEXICO
From 17-NOV-15 01:00:00 to 17-NOV-15 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Interstate 25 closed from Las Vegas to Raton Pass due to blizzard conditions. Snowfall accumulations averaged 8 to 12 inches. High winds produced significantly reduced visibility and drifts between 2 and 3 feet. Severe driving conditions were also reported east of Raton to Folsom.

Blizzard in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 17-NOV-15 01:00:00 to 17-NOV-15 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Interstate 25 closed from Las Vegas to Raton Pass due to blizzard conditions. Snowfall accumulations averaged 3 to 8 inches. Wind gusts as high as 64 mph at Raton airport produced drifts between 2 and 3 feet in Raton. Some snow piles ended up over 6 feet high in town.

Blizzard in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 17-NOV-15 01:00:00 to 17-NOV-15 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Severe driving conditions with blizzard conditions reported from Raton east to Clayton. Snowfall accumulations averaged 3 to 12 inches with locally up to 15 inches along the Colorado border. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph around Union County produced drifts between 2 and 3 feet along and east of Des Moines.

Heavy Snow in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-NOV-15 06:00:00 to 17-NOV-15 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Various sources reported between 5 and 10 inches of snow across the Taos area. This is one of the heaviest 24-hour snowfall accumulations for the Taos area and the greatest since 2009. Significant impacts to travel were noted.