An extended fetch of deep subtropical moisture surged northeast out of the eastern Pacific Ocean while a weak back door cold front seeped slowly southwest across eastern New Mexico. The combination of a shallow pool of cold air over northeastern New Mexico and abundant moisture set the stage for rare freezing rain from Tucumcari north to Clayton. Snow levels over the northern high terrain started out above 9,000 feet for the first half of the event until colder air arrived with the passing of an upper level low pressure system. Snow levels then fell to many areas for the second half of the winter storm and resulted in heavy snowfall over the northern mountains and adjacent highlands. Snowfall amounts of 10 to 15 inches were common in the high terrain and 6 to 10 inches over the northeast highlands. Impacts to travel were not severe in most areas as temperatures were marginally freezing for most of the event.

Winter Weather in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 15-JAN-17 10:00:00 to 15-JAN-17 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A rare freezing rain event occurred across Union County with reports of one to two tenths of an inch of ice followed by a couple inches of snow. Temperatures hovered at 32 degrees for the entire event so impacts were very limited to travel.

Winter Weather in HARDING COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 15-JAN-17 10:00:00 to 15-JAN-17 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A rare freezing rain event occurred across Harding County with reports of one to two tenths of an inch of ice followed by a couple inches of snow. Temperatures hovered at 32 degrees for the entire event so impacts were very limited to travel.

Heavy Snow in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 16-JAN-17 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

SNOTELs and public reports across the Jemez Mountains reported widespread snowfall amounts between 4 and 12 inches. The highest amount of 15 inches was reported near Wolf Canyon. A plow driver tumbled off the road and into a river bed along state road 120. The vehicle was totaled and the driver sustained minor injuries.

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

Various sources across the high terrain east of Santa Fe reported between 10 and 15 inches of snow.

Winter Storm in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 16-JAN-17 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Various observers across the lower terrain of the Sandia and Manzano Mountains reported between 2 and 5 inches of snowfall with limited impacts to travel. Snowfall amounts were significant above 9,000 feet where up to 14 inches was reported.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-JAN-17 03:00:00 to 16-JAN-17 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Various observers across the area from Las Vegas to Valmora reported between 5 and 9 inches of snowfall. Some freezing rain mixed with the snowfall along Interstate 25. Difficult travel conditions were reported with snow packed roads and low visibility.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 14-JAN-17 18:00:00 to 15-JAN-17 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Various sources reported snowfall amounts ranging from 6 to 9 inches over the higher terrain of Catron County. The highest amounts were reported at the Magdalena Ridge Observatory where 18 to 24 inches fell. This event produced only minor impacts in the lower elevations.

Winter Storm in WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 14-JAN-17 22:00:00 to 15-JAN-17 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A local Boy Scout group camping along the east slope of Mount Taylor woke up to 16 inches of snowfall. Lower elevation areas saw only minor impacts with less than 4 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-JAN-17 03:00:00 to 16-JAN-17 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Various observers across the area from Raton south to Springer and Wagon Mound reported between 3 and 10 inches of snowfall. Some freezing rain mixed with the snowfall along Interstate 25. Difficult travel conditions were reported with snow packed roads and low visibility.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-JAN-17 03:00:00 to 16-JAN-17 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts of 6 to 8 inches were common around Clines Corners southward toward Encino. Some freezing rain mixed with the snowfall along Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 285. Difficult travel conditions were reported with snow packed roads and low visibility.

Winter Storm in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-JAN-17 08:00:00 to 16-JAN-17 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts in the lower elevations of the Sacramento Mountains were generally less than 3 inches with little impact to travel. High terrain areas above 9,000 feet picked up as much as 14 inches with difficult travel conditions reported.

Winter Storm in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 15-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 16-JAN-17 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Various observers across the Angel Fire and Black Lake area reported between 5 and 10 inches of snow.