A deep layer of sub-tropical moisture that surged northeast off the eastern Pacific Ocean interacted with a shallow but potent cold airmass over eastern New Mexico around the Thanksgiving holiday. A persistent band of freezing rain moved over the area from Lincoln County northeast across the eastern plains of New Mexico and into west Texas. A rare freezing rain event resulted in severe impacts to travel across much of this area, including Interstate 40 and U.S. Highways 54, 285, 60/84, and 70/380. Widespread freezing rain accumulations of one quarter inch to one half inch were reported, with locally higher amounts. Light snow accumulations fell on top of the ice in a few areas mainly north of Interstate 40. Power lines were downed around Curry County. Numerous traffic accidents occurred over many areas of eastern New Mexico as a result of the icy travel conditions.

Winter Weather in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 26-NOV-15 22:00:00 to 27-NOV-15 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Three to six inches of snowfall was reported around the high terrain. Minor impacts to travel were reported.

Ice Storm in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 26-NOV-15 21:00:00 to 28-NOV-15 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

One quarter inch to one half inch of freezing rain downed power lines around the Clovis area. Near 2000 residents were without power. Widespread treacherous travel conditions were reported across the county.

Ice Storm in ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 26-NOV-15 21:00:00 to 28-NOV-15 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

One quarter inch to one half inch of freezing rain fell over northern portions of Roosevelt County from near Melrose to Tolar. Treacherous driving conditions were reported over this area for more than 24 hours.

Ice Storm in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-NOV-15 01:00:00 to 28-NOV-15 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

One quarter to one half inch of freezing rain and light snow accumulations impacted the U.S. Highway 54 corridor. Treacherous driving conditions were reported from north of Carrizozo to northeast of Corona. Numerous accidents were reported, including an overturned semi truck. The highway was closed for several hours.

Ice Storm in DE BACA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 26-NOV-15 23:00:00 to 28-NOV-15 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

One quarter inch of freezing rain and light accumulations of snow fell across De Baca County. Treacherous driving conditions were reported over this area for more than 24 hours.

Ice Storm in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 26-NOV-15 22:00:00 to 28-NOV-15 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

One half inch to one inch of freezing rain and around 1 inch of snow fell across Quay County. Treacherous driving conditions were reported along Interstate 40 and many surrounding U.S. highways. Interstate 40 was closed from Tucumcari to the Texas state line due to widespread major impacts to travel into Texas.

Ice Storm in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 26-NOV-15 23:00:00 to 28-NOV-15 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Near one half inch of freezing rain and around 1 inch of snow fell across Guadalupe County. Treacherous driving conditions were reported along Interstate 40 and many surrounding U.S. highways.

Winter Storm in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-NOV-15 02:00:00 to 28-NOV-15 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Light accumulations of freezing rain and around 1 to 2 inches of snowfall produced treacherous travel conditions around Clines Corners. Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 285 were severely impacted.

Ice Storm in UPPER TULAROSA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 27-NOV-15 02:00:00 to 28-NOV-15 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Gentleman traveling through Carrizozo very early on the 28th noted much of the area was still covered in at least one half inch of ice, if not more. Broken tree branches were reported. Numerous wrecks were also reported the previous day along the highways to Capitan and Corona.

Winter Storm in HARDING COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 26-NOV-15 23:00:00 to 28-NOV-15 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

One to two tenths of an inch of freezing rain and around 1 inch of snowfall severely impacted travel around Harding County. The combination of cold temperatures and gusty winds severely impacted all roadways around the area.

Winter Storm in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-NOV-15 02:00:00 to 28-NOV-15 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Light accumulations of freezing rain and around 1 to 2 inches of snowfall produced treacherous travel conditions around the Sacramento Mountains and Ruidoso. The combination of cold temperatures and gusty winds severely impacted all roadways around the area.

Winter Storm in EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 26-NOV-15 00:00:00 to 28-NOV-15 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

One to two tenths of an inch of freezing rain, around 1 inch of snowfall, very cold temperatures, and gusty winds severely impacted travel around Harding County.

Ice Storm in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 27-NOV-15 00:00:00 to 28-NOV-15 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

One quarter inch of freezing rain and light snow accumulations impacted the U.S. Highway 70 corridor around Arabela to Chaves County. Travel was severely impacted  toward Encinoso as well.