An upper level low pressure system that moved slowly northeast from Arizona into New Mexico on December 27, 2019 produced light to moderate mountain snow with valley rain. A couple strong thunderstorms with small hail and heavy rain also developed over eastern New Mexico with this system. One of these thunderstorms developed into a supercell and produced an exceptionally rare tornado over rural north-central Curry County near the Palla West Dairy. This was the latest confirmed tornado on record for the state of New Mexico. A second upper level low pressure system developed over the region in the wake of this first system on December 28, 2019. The second system was accompanied by a back door cold front over eastern New Mexico. Heavier mountain snow impacted the northern and western high terrain with much colder temperatures and very difficult travel conditions. Snowfall amounts ranged from 12 to 20 inches over the northern mountains with lighter amounts of two to six inches over the lower terrain of northern and western New Mexico. Numerous motor vehicle accidents were reported along Interstate 40 between Gallup and Grants as well as along U.S. Highway 285 north of Santa Fe. The extent of any injuries or damage to vehicles was unavailable from New Mexico State Police.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-19 04:00:00 to 29-DEC-19 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 18 inches in the higher terrain from near Red River to Taos Ski Valley. Difficult travel conditions were reported along U.S. Highway 64 and State Road 38.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-19 01:00:00 to 29-DEC-19 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts ranged from 10 to 22 inches in the higher terrain east of Santa Fe. Difficult travel conditions were reported over higher mountain roadways.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-19 03:00:00 to 29-DEC-19 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 13 inches on the east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains from near Eagle Nest and Angel Fire south to Gascon. The heaviest amounts were reported around Angel Fire and Black Lake. Difficult travel conditions were reported along U.S. Highway 64 and State Road 434.

Winter Weather in WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-19 07:00:00 to 28-DEC-19 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches around Gallup led to severe travel conditions with low visibility along Interstate 40. Several motor vehicles accidents were reported however no details were available from NMSP on any damages or injuries.

Winter Weather in WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-19 07:00:00 to 28-DEC-19 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts of 2 to 8 inches along the Interstate 40 corridor from near Fort Wingate to Prewitt led to severe travel conditions with low visibility. Several motor vehicles accidents were reported however no details were available from NMSP on any damages or injuries.

Winter Weather in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-19 22:00:00 to 28-DEC-19 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts of only 1 to 2 inches with very cold temperatures led to extremely slick travel conditions along U.S. Highway 84 between Santa Fe and Pojoaque. Southbound lanes of U.S. 84 were closed for a couple hours due to numerous vehicle accidents. No details were available from NMSP on the extent of any damages or injuries.

Strong Wind in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-19 17:09:00 to 27-DEC-19 17:10:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 48.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Strong winds in the wake of a dissipating tornadic supercell near the Palla West Dairy ended up overturning an empty horse trailer near State Road 209 and County Road 33. This isolated damage occurred several miles northeast of the dissipating tornado.

Funnel Cloud in DE BACA, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-19 10:50:00 to 27-DEC-19 10:55:00 (MST-7)
Location: FT SUMNER
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A rancher spotted a funnel cloud several miles to the southeast of Santa Rosa over rural countryside.

Tornado in CURRY, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-19 16:54:00 to 27-DEC-19 17:03:00 (MST-7)
Location: RANCHVALE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Three large power transmission poles were snapped and toppled to the ground, no less than three center pivot irrigation sections were flipped over or destroyed, several sections of range land fencing were damaged, and dozens of small yucca plants were uprooted. The tornado missed a nearby residence by only 300 yards and barely missed the nearby Palla West Dairy. Damage amounts are estimated for utility and property losses.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-19 01:00:00 to 28-DEC-19 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 10 inches across the higher terrain of Catron County. The heaviest snow fell around Luna and Mogollon. Difficult travel conditions were reported along U.S. Highways 180 and 60, as well as State Road 12.

Heavy Snow in TUSAS MOUNTAINS INCLUDING CHAMA, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-19 05:00:00 to 28-DEC-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snowfall amounts ranged from 5 to 13 inches across the higher terrain of eastern Rio Arriba County. Chama picked up 8 inches from this storm. Difficult travel conditions were reported along parts of U.S. Highways 64 and 84.

Heavy Snow in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-DEC-19 01:00:00 to 28-DEC-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 11 inches across the Jemez Mountains. The heaviest amounts were reported around Wolf Canyon and the Valles Caldera. Difficult travel conditions were reported along State Road 4.