A moisture-laden storm system over the eastern Pacific shifted slowly northeast into New Mexico on January 16, 2020. Meanwhile, a shallow back door cold front pushed southwest into the eastern plains with temperatures just below freezing. The combination of a deep plume of moisture with shallow cold air resulted in light to moderate freezing rain over the east central and northeast plains on the 16th. Many areas picked up between one-tenth and two-tenths of an inch of ice, resulting in hazardous travel conditions. Temperatures were just cold enough for heavy, wet snow to fall over northern and western New Mexico, including the Rio Grande Valley. Snowfall amounts ranged from six to 12 inches over the high terrain with amounts of two to six inches around Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos. Impacts were limited to elevated roadways and higher terrain passes. Strong west winds then developed in the wake of this system as it shifted in the Great Plains. Wind gusts of 50 to 65 mph were common over the northern high terrain, the east slopes of the central mountain chain, and parts of northeaster New Mexico.

High Wind in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 17-JAN-20 14:45:00 to 17-JAN-20 17:20:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 45.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Las Vegas airport reported sustained winds between 40 mph and 52 mph periodically for several hours.

High Wind in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 17-JAN-20 15:27:00 to 17-JAN-20 16:13:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Las Vegas airport reported peak wind gusts up to 67 mph.

High Wind in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 17-JAN-20 19:15:00 to 17-JAN-20 19:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Clines Corners reported a peak wind gust up to 60 mph.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-JAN-20 09:00:00 to 17-JAN-20 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

SNOTELs in the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains generally received about 6 inches of snow. The peaks of the mountains, however, received over a foot of snow, and the Taos ski area recorded 14 inches.

High Wind in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 17-JAN-20 11:00:00 to 17-JAN-20 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Kachina Peak mesonet site at Taos Ski Valley reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 65 mph periodically for several areas. Near whiteout conditions were observed from blowing snow.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-JAN-20 08:00:00 to 17-JAN-20 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Various stations reported around 5 to 7 inches of snow in the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Mountain peaks received over a foot of snow, and the Santa Fe ski area recorded 14 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS INCLUDING EDGEWOOD, NEW MEXICO
From 16-JAN-20 06:00:00 to 17-JAN-20 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall reports in the Sandia Park area generally ranged from 3 to 6 inches. The Sandia ski area received 6 inches snow.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 17-JAN-20 08:30:00 to 17-JAN-20 09:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

The Smokey Bear RAWS reported peak wind gusts up to 61 mph for around one hour.

High Wind in EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 17-JAN-20 11:45:00 to 17-JAN-20 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Angel Fire airport reported a peak wind gust up to 60 mph. Blowing snow with very low visibility was reported across parts of the Moreno Valley.

Winter Weather in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-JAN-20 06:00:00 to 17-JAN-20 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Freezing fog and freezing rain in Clayton resulted in light ice accumulations in the area. A trained spotter reported difficult driving conditions in Clayton as a result of the ice.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-JAN-20 08:00:00 to 17-JAN-20 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Various snowfall reports in the area ranged from 4 to 6 inches of snow. A CoCoRaHS observer in northwestern San Miguel County reported 5.5 inches of snow near Manuelitas. Severe driving conditions were reported in the Eagle Nest area from snow-packed roads.

Heavy Snow in ESPANOLA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-JAN-20 06:00:00 to 17-JAN-20 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall reports in the area ranged from 4 to 8 inches. The highest snowfall totals reported were in the Cordova area where a CoCoRaHS observer received 7.5 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in TUSAS MOUNTAINS INCLUDING CHAMA, NEW MEXICO
From 16-JAN-20 06:00:00 to 17-JAN-20 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 7 inches across the higher terrain of Rio Arriba County. A COOP observer in Chama measured 6.5 inches of snow. Severe driving conditions were reported along U.S. 285 and U.S. 64.

Heavy Snow in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 16-JAN-20 06:00:00 to 17-JAN-20 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Various snowfall reports in the Santa Fe metro area ranged from 4 to 6 inches. Schools and state agencies were closed for the day.

Heavy Snow in GLORIETA MESA INCLUDING GLORIETA PASS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-JAN-20 05:00:00 to 17-JAN-20 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 8 inches in the Glorieta Mesa area. A CoCoRaHS observer in Glorieta received 7.7 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-JAN-20 06:00:00 to 17-JAN-20 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS observers around the Los Alamos area received about 6 inches of snow. The Pajarito Ski Area reported 10 inches of snow.

Winter Weather in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 16-JAN-20 05:00:00 to 17-JAN-20 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Freezing rain and snow along Interstate 40 resulted in slick and hazardous travel. An 18 wheeler accident was reported in Clines Corners as a result of winter driving conditions. No details were available from law enforcement on any damages or injuries.

Winter Weather in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 16-JAN-20 04:00:00 to 17-JAN-20 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Freezing rain in Guadalupe County resulted in ice accumulations that caused difficult driving conditions along Interstate 40. Several vehicle accidents were reported throughout Guadalupe County, however no information on any damage or injuries was available from law enforcement.

High Wind in EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 17-JAN-20 11:45:00 to 17-JAN-20 19:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 36.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Angel Fire airport reported sustained winds up to 42 mph periodically throughout the day. Low visibility was reported from blowing snow.