A powerful jet stream approaching from the eastern Pacific carved out a potent storm system over New Mexico the week before Christmas. This was the most impactful winter storm since the blizzard from December 2015 and the first significant storm of the 2016-2017 season. High winds developed over the high terrain during the early morning hours of the 15th and spread into the lower elevations through the 16th. Peak wind reports averaged 70 to 80 mph along the high plains east of the central mountain chain. Over 60 cottonwood trees were blown down near Ute Park along with more trees near the Little Bear burn scar in Lincoln County. Snow developed in the high terrain on the 16th with near blizzard conditions through 17th. One to two feet of snow fell in the high terrain of northern New Mexico. This snowfall then spread into the eastern plains where significant impacts occurred due to the combination of snow, wind, and bitterly cold temperatures. A massive pile up of 40 vehicles along Interstate 40 between Santa Rosa and Tucumcari resulted in one fatality and a dozen injuries. Another fatality was reported near Portales where a motorist hit black ice and slid off the roadway into a tree.

High Wind in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 01:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 68.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory reported a peak wind gust to 78 mph and Mogollon 60 mph. Much of the remainder of the lower elevation areas reported peak winds near 50 mph.

High Wind in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 11:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Several observers reported peak winds between 60 and 65 mph from Sandia Peak to Sandia Park. No significant damage was observed.

High Wind in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 11:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Clayton Municipal airport reported a peak wind gust to 69 mph. Bitterly cold temperatures moved into the area behind the wind and dropped temperatures nearly 60 degrees in less than 12 hours.

High Wind in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 10:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Peak wind gust to 62 mph at the Raton airport.

High Wind in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 15:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 35.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Clovis.

High Wind in SOUTHWEST CHAVES COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 17-DEC-16 06:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Dunken saw sustained winds of 43 mph with gusts to 68 mph.

Winter Weather in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 17-DEC-16 13:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 400.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Bitterly cold temperatures, light snow, and breezy conditions created deadly travel conditions along Interstate 40 between Santa Rosa and Tucumcari. A 40 car pile-up prompted the closure of the highway with a dozen injuries and 1 fatality.

Winter Weather in ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 17-DEC-16 23:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

New Mexico State Police reported that a well-known radio personality and civic leader died after a car crash south of Portales. The preliminary investigation showed a vehicle driven by 45-year-old Stephen Rooney of Portales encountered ice on the roadway and collided with a tree. He was found the following morning around 5 am and the incident time is estimated.

High Wind in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 12:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Clines Corners reported peak winds up to 60 mph.

High Wind in DE BACA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 17-DEC-16 07:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Observer east of Sumner Lake reported peak wind gusts near 60 mph with blowing dirt.

Winter Weather in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 17-DEC-16 13:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Bitterly cold temperatures, light snow, and breezy conditions created deadly travel conditions along Interstate 40 between Santa Rosa and Tucumcari. A 40 car pile-up prompted the closure of the highway with a dozen injuries and 1 fatality. Damages and injuries included in the nearby Quay County event.

High Wind in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 02:30:00 to 17-DEC-16 01:25:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Peak wind gust to 66 mph at Las Vegas Municipal.

High Wind in ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 17-DEC-16 08:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Dora reported peak wind gusts to 60 mph.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 17-DEC-16 08:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Chupadera.

High Wind in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 11:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Tucumcari Municipal airport reported a peak wind gust to 64 mph and Logan 62 mph. Bitterly cold temperatures with light snow moved into this area the following day and created treacherous travel along Interstate 40.

High Wind in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 11:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The area from near Mesa to Roswell airport reported peak wind gusts of 60 to 62 mph. Bitterly cold temperatures that moved in behind this system resulted in busted water pipes at the Mesa rest area along U.S. 285 on the 17th. The facility was closed for an extended period of time for repairs.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-DEC-16 20:30:00 to 17-DEC-16 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Winter storm conditions started out with high winds before snow piled up over the area. Angel Fire reported a peak wind gust to 66 mph and Ute Park 75 mph. Over 60 cottonwood trees were blown over near Ute Park. Heavy snow then developed with blowing snow through the 17th. Snowfall amounts averaged 3 to 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 06:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The combination of strong winds and heavy snow produced near blizzard conditions in the high terrain over Taos County. Snowfall accumulations averaged 8 to 14 inches across the area.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 06:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The combination of strong winds and heavy snow produced near blizzard conditions in the high terrain east of Santa Fe. Snowfall accumulations averaged 3 to 9 inches across the area.

Winter Storm in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 07:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The combination of high winds and heavy snowfall produced winter storm conditions along the west slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. An observer in Lama reported a peak wind gust to 60 mph. Snowfall accumulations averaged 2 to 6 inches across this area.

Winter Storm in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 20:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

The combination of strong winds and snowfall produced winter storm conditions around the Taos area. The airport reported a peak wind gust to 40 mph. Snowfall accumulations averaged 1 to 3 inches around Taos. Travel became very difficult with snow, wind, and cold.

Heavy Snow in SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 06:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and SNOTEL observations supported widespread snowfall accumulations of 9 to 16 inches across the area. The combination of strong winds and heavy snow produced near blizzard conditions in the high terrain.

Heavy Snow in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 06:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The combination of high winds and heavy snowfall supported winter storm conditions over the Jemez Mountains. The Los Alamos airport reported peak wind gusts of 56 mph. COOP and SNOTEL reports in the high terrain averaged 5 to 8 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in CHUSKA MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 19:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The combination of windy conditions with heavy snowfall created winter storm conditions over the Chuska Mountains. The Washington Pass RAWS site reported peak winds around 40 mph. SNOTEL data supported up to 9 inches of snow.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 08:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Peak wind gust to 68 mph at Sierra Blanca Regional. High winds also reported around the Ruidoso area. Numerous trees were blown down on the Little Bear burn scar.

High Wind in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 08:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 69.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The CSBF Transwestern Pump station reported the highest wind gust for this event at 79 mph.

High Wind in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-DEC-16 10:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A CWOP site near Milagro reported a peak wind gust to 63 mph.