A major winter storm impacted nearly all of northern and central New Mexico just a few days after ringing in 2017. An extremely cold airmass shifted slowly south and west into eastern New Mexico on the 5th while a moist, slow-moving upper level wave shifted north and east from Arizona through the 6th. The combination of bitterly cold air at the surface and abundant mid and upper level moisture resulted in a major winter storm across New Mexico. Temperatures in the single digits with widespread snowfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches created severe travel conditions across the eastern plains. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains were pummeled with 1 to 2 feet of snowfall. Bitterly cold air seeped into the Rio Grande Valley from the eastern plains on the morning of the 6th while a band of snowfall pushed across the area. Temperatures in the middle teens with around one inch of snow created treacherous travel conditions across the Albuquerque metro area. Nearly 100 motor vehicle accidents shut down many roads across the city and closed schools. Shelters were opened in many areas and the New Mexico EOC was activated for several days until impacts improved. The coldest air since 2011 filtered into the state behind this storm. Wind chill values across the eastern plains fell to between 20 and 30 degrees below zero.

Winter Storm in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 21:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 4 inches along the east slopes of the Sandia and Manzano Mountains. Severe impacts to travel were reported as temperatures in the single digits accompanied the snowfall. All schools were closed for the east mountain communities.

Winter Weather in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 06-JAN-17 02:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Bitterly cold temperatures with just one inch of snowfall created treacherous travel conditions around the Albuquerque metro. Nearly 100 accidents were reported during the morning commute, of which a dozen were serious. Schools were closed across the area.

Winter Weather in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 06-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Bitterly cold temperatures with a few inches of snowfall created treacherous travel conditions around Lincoln County.

Winter Storm in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 8 inches across Guadalupe County. Impacts from bitterly cold temperatures and gusty winds created winter storm impacts to travel through the region. Near whiteout conditions were reported at times along Interstate 40 near Santa Rosa and U.S. Highway 60 around Vaughn.

Winter Storm in ESTANCIA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 19:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 4 inches within the Estancia Valley. Severe impacts to travel were reported as temperatures in the lower single digits accompanied the snowfall.

Winter Storm in ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 23:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 4 inches from Portales to Melrose. Bitterly cold temperatures and gusty winds created winter storm impacts on the morning of the 6th.

Winter Storm in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 23:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 4 inches across Curry County. Significant impacts were reported with severe travel conditions from Clovis to Cannon AFB. Bitterly cold temperatures and gusty winds created winter storm impacts on the morning of the 6th.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 16:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall across the west slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains ranged from 6 to 10 inches, however a local maximum occurred at Costilla where 24 inches was reported. Treacherous travel was reported as bitterly cold air filtered into the area from the north and east.

Heavy Snow in SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 12:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall across the high terrain of eastern Rio Arriba County ranged from 12 to 18 inches, including 12 inches at Chama.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 12:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall across the east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains ranged from 12 to 28 inches. Eagle Nest picked up the greatest amounts with impressive snowfall rates near one inch per hour for almost 10 hours late on the 5th.

Heavy Snow in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 12:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall ranged from 4 to 10 inches across Union County. Temperatures in the single digits with snowfall created hazardous travel conditions and dangerously cold wind chills.

Winter Storm in HARDING COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 12:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall ranged from 3 to 5 inches across Harding County. Impacts from bitterly cold temperatures and gusty winds created winter storm impacts to travel through the region.

Winter Storm in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 16:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 6 inches from Clines Corners to Encino and Cedarvale. Severe impacts to travel were reported as temperatures in the lower single digits accompanied the snowfall. Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 285 were severely impacted.

Heavy Snow in CHUSKA MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 16:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Navajo Whiskey SNOTEL site reported up to 9 inches of snowfall. Cold temperatures and strong gusty winds accompanied the snowfall.

Winter Storm in DE BACA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 06-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Widespread snowfall amounts near 4 inches were reported across De Baca County. Bitterly cold temperatures and gusty winds created winter storm impacts on the morning of the 6th. Severe travel conditions occurred along U.S. Highway 84 from Fort Sumner northward.

Winter Weather in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 06-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Bitterly cold temperatures with a couple inches of snowfall created treacherous travel conditions along U.S. Highway 70 from Roswell westward to Hondo. Numerous accidents were reported around Roswell.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 16:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall across the high terrain of Taos County ranged from 8 to 12 inches. Kachina Peak saw a peak wind gust of 65 mph with whiteout conditions.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 16:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall across the high terrain east of Santa Fe ranged from 8 to 10 inches. Strong winds also accompanied this snowfall over the higher peaks.

Winter Storm in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 23:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall across the Taos area ranged from 3 to 6 inches. Bitterly cold temperatures with strong gusty winds created treacherous travel conditions across the area. A rockslide was reported along State Road 68 south of Taos.

Heavy Snow in RATON RIDGE/JOHNSON MESA, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 10:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall across the Raton Ridge ranged from 12 to 20 inches. The combination of temperatures in the single digits and strong gusty winds created treacherous travel conditions across the area. Travel over Raton Pass was nearly impossible with over 20 spin outs and numerous wrecks reported along Interstate 25.

Winter Storm in EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 14:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall ranged from 3 to 6 inches across eastern San Miguel County. Impacts from bitterly cold temperatures and gusty winds created winter storm impacts to travel through the region.

Winter Storm in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall amounts up to 8 inches were reported around Tucumcari. Impacts from bitterly cold temperatures and gusty winds created winter storm impacts to travel through the region. Near whiteout conditions were reported at times.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 12:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall ranged from 6 to 10 inches along the Interstate 25 corridor from Raton to Maxwell, Springer, and Wagon Mound. A local maximum of 14 inches was reported at Raton. Temperatures in the single digits with snowfall created treacherous travel conditions across the area. Numerous motorists spun out according to law enforcement.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 05-JAN-17 12:00:00 to 06-JAN-17 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall ranged from 4 to 8 inches along the Interstate 25 corridor near Las Vegas. Temperatures in the single digits with snowfall created treacherous travel conditions across the area.