A third winter storm in a series hammered much of New Mexico during the New Year's holiday with widespread snowfall, bitterly cold temperatures, and major travel impacts. Very cold air was already in place across the state behind the second storm that exited the area after Christmas. Another potent upper level gathered strength over the Four Corners region on New Year's Eve and moved slowly south and east into western New Mexico through New Year's Day. Widespread snowfall developed over northern and western New Mexico on New Year's Eve with significant travel impacts reported during evening holiday festivities. Gap winds on the east side of the Albuquerque metro area limited snowfall until winds subsided on New Years morning. The heaviest snow fell across the northern mountains where 12 to 18 inches was reported. The Jemez Mountains picked up 36 inches just west of Los Alamos. Bitterly cold air in place over the region with snow and blowing snow resulted in major travel problems with several road closures. Fatal accidents were reported on U.S. 550 and Interstate 40 in the Albuquerque area along with roughly 66 injury accidents in the city. Frigid temperatures resulted in damage to 40 schools in the Albuquerque area of which 25 experienced serious flood damage. Low temperatures on the day after New Years were the coldest since 2013 with many areas reporting readings below zero.

Heavy Snow in LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 12:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts ranged from two to seven inches from Espanola to Alcalde. Difficult to severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported.

Heavy Snow in NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 04:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts ranged from three to nine inches along the Continental Divide region of U.S. Highway 550. Severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported across much of the area. 12-year old Alexander Steven Madsen was killed when two vehicles collided on icy roads along U.S. Highway 550 near Cuba.

Heavy Snow in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 13:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Snowfall amounts ranged from two to seven inches around the Albuquerque Metro Area. Difficult travel conditions due to snow, blowing snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported. Numerous accidents were reported across the metro area.

Heavy Snow in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 12:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts ranged from two to nine inches around Santa Fe. Severe travel conditions due to snow, blowing snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 08:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts ranged from five to 10 inches along the Continental Divide region of Interstate 40. Difficult to severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported across much of the area.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 04:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Snowfall amounts ranged from six to 11 inches from La Plata eastward to Navajo Lake and Dulce. Severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported across much of the area.

Heavy Snow in SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 04:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts ranged from six to 12 inches from Chama to Tierra Amarilla and Canjilon. Severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported across much of the area.

Heavy Snow in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 07:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts ranged from six to 14 inches over the south and west facing slopes of the Jemez Mountains with up to 36 inches at the Pajarito ski area. The community of Los Alamos was buried by around two feet of snow and it took residents several days to dig out. Severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported across much of the area. NM-4 was closed during this event. Parts of the high terrain were still experiencing severe travel conditions a week after the storm.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 08:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts ranged from six to 12 inches along the west slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Difficult to severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported across much of the area.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 10:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts ranged from six to 10 inches in the high terrain east of Santa Fe. Difficult to severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported.

Heavy Snow in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 13:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts ranged from four to 14 inches over the Sandia and Manzano mountains. The heaviest amounts were reported around Sedillo. Severe travel conditions due to snow, blowing snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported. Numerous accidents were reported and Interstate 40 was closed for several hours.

Heavy Snow in CHUSKA MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 04:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Up to 11 inches of snow was reported at the Navajo Whiskey Creek SNOTEL.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 09:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts averaged around eight inches from Grants to Cubero. Difficult to severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported across much of the area.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 10:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts ranged from eight to 13 inches from Luna to Pietown and Datil. Difficult to severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported across much of the area.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 12:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts ranged from three to six inches. Severe travel conditions due to snow, blowing snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported. Interstate 40 was closed for several hours.

Heavy Snow in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 14:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A sharp gradient in snowfall amounts and impacts occurred across Guadalupe County. Severe travel conditions and road closures due to snow, blowing snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported over the western half of the county.

Heavy Snow in SAN FRANCISCO RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 16:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts ranged from five to 10 inches on the higher slopes of the San Francisco River Valley. Temperatures were warm enough for most of this event to allow snow to melt  on roadways and limit travel impacts.

Heavy Snow in ESTANCIA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 13:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts ranged from four to seven inches within the Estancia Valley. Severe travel conditions due to snow, blowing snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported. Numerous accidents were reported and Interstate 40 was closed for several hours.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 10:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Snowfall amounts ranged from 10 to 21 inches along the east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported across much of the area.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 10:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts ranged from four to nine inches along the Interstate 25 corridor from Raton to Wagon Mound. Severe travel conditions due to snow, blowing snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported across much of the area.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 10:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts up to 15 inches were reported around Las Vegas. Severe travel conditions due to snow, blowing snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 10:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts ranged from four to six inches in eastern San Miguel County. Severe travel conditions and road closures due to snow, blowing snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported.

Heavy Snow in NORTHWEST PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 04:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Snowfall amounts averaged around eight inches in the Farmington region. Severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported across much of the area. At least three motor vehicle accidents were reported around Farmington but fortunately no injuries were reported. The city of Farmington extended shelter hours to assist those in need during the bitterly cold temperatures.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 08:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts ranged from six to 10 inches from Gallup to Zuni Pueblo and Fence Lake. Difficult to severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported across much of the area.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 10:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts ranged from six to 12 inches in the Red River area. Difficult to severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported.

Heavy Snow in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 31-DEC-18 10:00:00 to 31-DEC-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts ranged from five to 11 inches in the Taos area. Difficult to severe travel conditions due to snow, low visibility, and frigid temperatures were reported.