A second punch of winter weather struck New Mexico shortly after Christmas as a slow-moving storm system shifted southeast through the Four Corners region. A potent back door cold front over eastern New Mexico set the stage for easterly upslope flow along the central mountain chain and strong gap winds in the Rio Grande Valley. Snow developed over western New Mexico on the afternoon of the 27th as the storm system approached from the Four Corners. Snow spread into the Rio Grande Valley and central mountain chain by the evening hours. The most significant portion of the storm blasted the region on the 28th as the storm system moving in from the west interacted with the very cold and moist airmass in place over eastern New Mexico. Widespread heavy snowfall amounts of 12 to 18 were reported with upwards of 30 inches in the Ruidoso area. The Albuquerque metro area and the Sandia/Manzano mountains saw periods of blizzard conditions with high winds. Widespread difficult to severe travel occurred over the area with road closures and stranded motorists.

Heavy Snow in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 19:00:00 to 28-DEC-18 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard-like conditions impacted parts of the Albuquerque metro area with strong winds and light to moderate snowfall amounts of one to four inches. Visibility was reduced to below one quarter mile at times around the Albuquerque Foothills, Four Hills, and Placitas with snow drifts up to two feet in some spots. The remainder of the metro area saw very little snowfall as gap winds created a snow free zone. Peak winds with this event ranged from 50 to 60 mph across the east side of the metro area.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 18:00:00 to 28-DEC-18 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts ranged from six to 14 inches from Angel Fire south to Mora and Mineral Hill. Severe travel impacts were reported along U.S 64 from Angel Fire to Taos.

Heavy Snow in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 18:00:00 to 28-DEC-18 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Snowfall amounts ranged from eight to 16 inches across the Jemez Mountains. Difficult travel impacts were reported by NMDOT.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 18:00:00 to 28-DEC-18 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts ranged from four to nine inches from Tres Ritos to the Santa Fe foothills and Pecos. Severe travel impacts were reported along U.S 64 between Taos and Angel Fire.

Heavy Snow in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 18:00:00 to 28-DEC-18 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts ranged from five to eight inches in the Santa Fe area. Difficult travel conditions from snow, blowing snow, freezing fog, and low visibility were reported by NMDOT.

Heavy Snow in LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 23:00:00 to 28-DEC-18 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Snowfall amounts ranged from four to eight inches in the Socorro area. Severe travel conditions from snow, blowing snow, freezing fog, and low visibility forced the closure of U.S. 380 for several hours between San Antonio and Bingham.

Heavy Snow in ESTANCIA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 19:00:00 to 29-DEC-18 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts ranged from four to 12 inches in the Estancia Valley. Severe travel conditions from snow, blowing snow, freezing fog, and low visibility forced the closure of Interstate 40 at NM-41 for several hours. All local hotels had no vacancies due to extreme travel conditions across eastern New Mexico.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 19:00:00 to 29-DEC-18 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts ranged from eight to 12 inches along the U.S 285 and Interstate 40 corridor. Extreme travel conditions from snow, blowing snow, freezing fog, and low visibility were reported by NMDOT. Several motorists were stranded along Interstate 40.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 19:00:00 to 29-DEC-18 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts ranged from four to 12 inches. Extreme travel conditions from snow, blowing snow, freezing fog, and low visibility forced the closure of U.S. highways 54 and 60.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 20:00:00 to 28-DEC-18 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts ranged from eight to 14 inches in the area around Las Vegas. Difficult travel conditions were reported by NMDOT.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 20:00:00 to 28-DEC-18 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts ranged from six to 12 inches across eastern San Miguel County. Severe travel conditions due to snow, freezing fog, and low visibility were reported by NMDOT.

Heavy Snow in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 19:00:00 to 29-DEC-18 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts ranged from six to 12 inches from Santa Rosa to Vaughn. Severe travel conditions due to snow, freezing fog, and low visibility were reported by NMDOT. Several accidents and stranded motorists along Interstate 40 forced the closure of the highway in several locations. All local hotels had no vacancies around Santa Rosa. A shelter was set up at the Santa Rosa Convention Center for motorists unable to find accommodations in the area.

Heavy Snow in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-DEC-18 03:00:00 to 29-DEC-18 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts ranged from two to four inches in the Clovis area. Difficult travel conditions were reported by NMDOT.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-DEC-18 03:00:00 to 29-DEC-18 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts ranged from six to 12 inches from Arabela to Corona. Severe travel conditions were reported with snow, blowing snow, freezing fog, and low visibility.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHWEST CHAVES COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-DEC-18 03:00:00 to 29-DEC-18 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts up to 14 inches were reported around Dunken. Difficult to severe travel conditions were reported.

Heavy Snow in NORTHWEST PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 28-DEC-18 00:00:00 to 28-DEC-18 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts ranged from two to seven inches around the Farmington and Aztec area. Difficult travel conditions were reported by NMDOT.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 14:00:00 to 28-DEC-18 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall amounts ranged from five to 10 inches in the area from Grants to Laguna. Difficult to severe travel conditions were reported in the area, including Interstate 40.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 15:00:00 to 28-DEC-18 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snowfall amounts ranged from three to eight inches. The heaviest amounts fell in the Magdalena areaSevere travel impacts were reported along U.S. Highway 60.

Blizzard in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 19:00:00 to 29-DEC-18 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Extreme winter weather hammered the Sandia and Manzano mountains with heavy snow, blowing snow, very low visibility, and severe travel conditions. Visibility was near zero for several hours with snowfall rates near two inches per hour. Snowfall amounts ranged from 10 to 20 inches with drifts as high as four feet in spots. Many rural communities were stranded as road crews tool several days to plow secondary roads.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 14:00:00 to 28-DEC-18 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts ranged from three to six inches in the area from Gallup to Vanderwagon. Difficult travel conditions were reported by NMDOT.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 15:00:00 to 28-DEC-18 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall amounts ranged from five to 10 inches. Difficult travel conditions were reported by NMDOT.

Heavy Snow in UPPER TULAROSA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 20:00:00 to 29-DEC-18 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts ranged from four to eight inches in the Carrizozo area. Extreme travel conditions from snow, blowing snow, freezing fog, and low visibility forced the closure of U.S. highways 54 and 380.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 20:00:00 to 29-DEC-18 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts ranged from 10 to 30 inches in the Ruidoso area. Extreme travel conditions from snow, blowing snow, freezing fog, and low visibility forced the closure of several highways in the area. This was one of the heaviest daily and monthly snowfall events on record for parts of the Ruidoso area.

Heavy Snow in DE BACA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-DEC-18 00:00:00 to 29-DEC-18 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts ranged from three to six inches around De Baca County. Difficult travel conditions were reported by NMDOT.

Heavy Snow in ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-DEC-18 00:00:00 to 29-DEC-18 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts ranged from two to four inches around Roosevelt County. Difficult travel conditions were reported by NMDOT.

Heavy Snow in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-18 18:00:00 to 29-DEC-18 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts ranged from six to 12 inches around Quay County. Severe travel conditions due to snow, freezing fog, and low visibility were reported by NMDOT. Several accidents and stranded motorists along Interstate 40 forced the closure of the highway in several locations. All local hotels had no vacancies around Tucumcari.

Heavy Snow in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-DEC-18 03:00:00 to 29-DEC-18 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts ranged from three to five inches along U.S. 285 from Roswell to Mesa. Difficult travel conditions were reported by NMDOT.