A very dry and warm start to the month of February ended with an extremely beneficial pattern change that delivered epic snowfall amounts to the northern high terrain of New Mexico. The big change arrived beginning on the 22nd as a powerful blast of arctic air moved south and west across the area and plunged New Mexico into winter once again. Meanwhile, a series of upper level low pressure systems crossed from southern California into Arizona and pumped abundant moisture over New Mexico. The heaviest snowfall accumulations occurred over the northern high terrain where 1 to 2 feet of new snow was reported. A strong surface pressure gradient in place over the area also produced strong gap winds in the Rio Grande Valley. Widespread difficult to severe driving conditions were reported along with several road closures over portions of New Mexico. This was the first in a series of significant winter storms that impacted the area through early March.

Winter Weather in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 22-FEB-15 18:00:00 to 23-FEB-15 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

U.S. Highway 70 was closed for several hours beginning around 530am on the 23rd from Roswell to Hondo and Ruidoso due to light snow, freezing fog and black ice.

Winter Weather in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 22-FEB-15 18:00:00 to 23-FEB-15 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

U.S. Highway 285 was closed for several hours beginning around 930pm on the 22nd from Roswell to Vaughn due to light snow, freezing fog and black ice. Some areas of southest Guadalupe County likely received heavier snowfall where an intense snow band crossed the area.

Heavy Snow in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 21-FEB-15 00:00:00 to 23-FEB-15 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Observers around the area reported between 3 and 6 inches of snow with blowing snow and reduced visibilities. U.S. Highway 54 was closed in southern Union County due to treacherous travel conditions.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 22-FEB-15 00:00:00 to 23-FEB-15 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Storm dumped between 3 and 7 inches of snow from Maxwell to Raton. Travel was treacherous over the area.  The 6 inches in Cimarron on the 22nd was a record for the date.

Winter Weather in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 22-FEB-15 20:00:00 to 23-FEB-15 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

One to 4 inches of snow fell across portions of the Sandia and Manzano Mountains. Only minor travel impacts were noted.

Heavy Snow in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-FEB-15 07:00:00 to 23-FEB-15 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Several CoCoRaHS reports indicated 3 to 7 inches of snow on the morning of the 23rd with an intense band of snowfall in northern Curry County.

Heavy Snow in DE BACA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-FEB-15 05:00:00 to 23-FEB-15 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public reported 4 inches of snow on the morning of the 23rd with an intense band of snowfall. U.S. Highway 285 that runs through southwest De Baca County closed due to winter weather. The 5 inches that fell just south of Fort Sumner on the 23rd was a record for the date, and the heaviest 1-day snowfall since 2010.

Heavy Snow in SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 21-FEB-15 11:00:00 to 24-FEB-15 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP, CoCoRaHS, and SNOTEL sites reported between 12 and 18 inches of snowfall over the area during this first of several winter events to occur through early March. It was the heaviest 2-day event in Chama since 2008.  The 9 inches on the 23rd was a record snowfall for the date.

Winter Weather in WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 23-FEB-15 22:00:00 to 24-FEB-15 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Three inches of snow was reported around Gallup. Significantly reduced visibilities and difficult travel conditions were reported.

Heavy Snow in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-FEB-15 00:00:00 to 23-FEB-15 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Observers around the area reported between 2 and 3 inches of snow with blowing snow and reduced visibilities. U.S. Highway 54 was closed in Quay County and Interstate 40 was closed east of Tucumcari due to treacherous travel conditions. Areas along the Quay County border likely had even higher snowfall amounts with the intense snow band.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 22-FEB-15 00:00:00 to 23-FEB-15 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS, public, and SNOTEL sites reported between 3 and 10 inches of new snow over the area. This was the first big event in nearly one month for the west slopes.  The 8 inches recorded on the 22nd and the 6 inches recorded on the 23rd in Cerro set new records for each calendar date, respectively. It was the heaviest 2-day total in Cerro since 2008.

Winter Weather in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 22-FEB-15 18:00:00 to 23-FEB-15 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

U.S. Highway 285 was closed for several hours beginning around 930pm on the 22nd from Artesia to Roswell and Vaughn due to light snow, freezing fog and black ice.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 21-FEB-15 23:00:00 to 23-FEB-15 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP, CoCoRaHS, public, and trained spotters reported between 10 and 24 inches of new snow over the area. This was the heaviest 2-day snowfall event at Red River since 2007. The 13 inches on the 22nd was a record snowfall for the date.

Winter Weather in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 22-FEB-15 18:00:00 to 23-FEB-15 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

U.S. Highway 70 was closed for several hours beginning around 530am on the 23rd from Roswell to Hondo and Ruidoso due to light snow, freezing fog and black ice.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 22-FEB-15 00:00:00 to 23-FEB-15 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP, CoCoRaHS, and public reports indicated between 9 and 19 inches of new snow over the area. This was the heaviest 2-day snowfall event at Eagle Nest since 2011, with the 11 inches on the 22nd a record for the date. The 4 inches in Ocate on the 22nd was also a record for the date.

Heavy Snow in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 22-FEB-15 00:00:00 to 23-FEB-15 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS, public, and trained spotters reported between 3 and 7 inches of new snow. This was the heaviest 2-day snowfall in the Taos area since 2009.