A deep upper level low pressure system moved into the Great Basin on February 17, 2019 and forced moist southwest flow over New Mexico through the 18th and 19th. Meanwhile, a potent back door cold front shifted southwest through eastern New Mexico and set the stage for strong upslope flow along the central mountain chain. The combination of deep moisture and lift in association with the upper level low pressure system along with much colder air allowed widespread snow and blowing snow to develop over the region. The heaviest snowfall impacted areas along the Continental Divide and the northern mountains of New Mexico where six to 12 inches was reported. The Rio Grande Valley picked up lighter snowfall amounts anywhere from one to four inches. The very cold air in place over the area on the morning of the 18th led to widespread travel impacts with numerous motor vehicle accidents. This was the first storm system since the New Year's holiday to drop appreciable snowfall amounts over far northeastern New Mexico.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 17-FEB-19 15:00:00 to 19-FEB-19 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall reports between Cedar Hill, Navajo Lake, and Dulce ranged from 3 to 7 inches. Difficult travel conditions were reported.

Heavy Snow in SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 17-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 19-FEB-19 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Various sources from near Chama to Tierra Amarilla and Canjilon reported snowfall amounts from 6 to 12 inches. Difficult travel conditions were reported.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 17-FEB-19 20:00:00 to 19-FEB-19 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Various sources around Red River and Taos Ski Valley reported snowfall amounts from 6 to 12 inches. Difficult travel conditions were reported.

Heavy Snow in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 17-FEB-19 17:00:00 to 19-FEB-19 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Various sources from near Vacas Locas to Jemez and the Valles Caldera reported snowfall amounts from 6 to 16 inches. Difficult travel conditions were reported.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 17-FEB-19 20:00:00 to 19-FEB-19 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Various sources along the east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains reported snowfall amounts from 6 to 16 inches. Difficult travel conditions were reported.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 17-FEB-19 20:00:00 to 19-FEB-19 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Various sources in the higher terrain east of Santa Fe reported 6 to 11 inches of snowfall. Difficult travel conditions were reported.

Heavy Snow in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 17-FEB-19 20:00:00 to 19-FEB-19 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Various sources in the Taos area reported snowfall amounts from 2 to 8 inches. Difficult travel conditions were reported.

Winter Storm in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 19-FEB-19 03:00:00 to 19-FEB-19 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Various sources from Rio Rancho to the west side of Albuquerque and Los Lunas reported snowfall amounts from 2 to 4 inches. The combination of cold temperatures and a quick burst of snow resulted in treacherous travel conditions. The Albuquerque Police Department reported a total of 79 motor vehicle accidents of which 22 resulted in injuries. The extent of injuries and damages is unknown.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 18-FEB-19 01:00:00 to 19-FEB-19 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Various sources in the area from Cimarron to Raton reported snowfall amounts from 5 to 10 inches. Difficult travel conditions were reported.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 18-FEB-19 06:00:00 to 19-FEB-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Various sources in the higher terrain near Las Vegas reported snowfall amounts from 4 to 8 inches. Difficult travel conditions were reported.

Heavy Snow in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 17-FEB-19 22:00:00 to 19-FEB-19 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Various sources in the area around Clayton reported 4 to 7 inches of snowfall. Difficult travel conditions were reported.

Heavy Snow in NORTHWEST PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 17-FEB-19 14:00:00 to 19-FEB-19 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Various sources around Farmington, Aztec, and Bloomfield reported snowfall amounts from 6 to 10 inches. Difficult travel conditions were reported.

Heavy Snow in CHUSKA MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 17-FEB-19 12:00:00 to 19-FEB-19 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Navajo Whiskey SNOTEL reported 11 inches of snow.