A strong upper-level storm system over Southern California slowly moved eastward over southern New Mexico through February 12, 2020. Precipitation first began across western New Mexico late on the 10th as moisture streamed into the area ahead of this system. Meanwhile, a cold front surged south and west through eastern New Mexico, into the Rio Grande Valley, and to the Arizona border on the morning of the 11th, which cooled temperatures and helped set the stage for widespread wintry precipitation. This cold front was also responsible for strong winds in the Albuquerque metro area which resulted in large variability in snow totals. Snow was moderate to heavy at times, especially across southern New Mexico. Most of the state received snow with generally two to four inches being observed across lower elevations while the highest accumulations were observed across mountain areas with peaks receiving over a foot. Widespread travel impacts were also observed with this system with several accidents reported which caused parts of highways and interstates to be closed. Snow finally ended early in the morning on the 12th as the system lifted northeast into the Texas Panhandle.

Heavy Snow in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS INCLUDING EDGEWOOD, NEW MEXICO
From 11-FEB-20 00:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The Sandia and Manzano mountains received very heavy snow from this event and various sources reported between 7 and 13 inches. The Sandia ski area reported a storm total of 13 inches. Areas in and around Edgewood also received heavy snow with totals between 7 and 11 inches.

Heavy Snow in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 10-FEB-20 22:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A COOP observer in Dilia measured 6 inches of snow on the morning of the 11th, setting a new daily snowfall record.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 11-FEB-20 01:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter several miles southeast of Corona measured 6 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 11-FEB-20 00:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Various sources reported snow totals between 4 and 9 inches. The highest totals in the area were recorded in western Cibola County where 9 inches was measured in Fence Lake. Snow packed and icy roads as well as zero visibility conditions from blowing snow caused severe driving conditions along NM State Road 36.

Heavy Snow in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 10-FEB-20 21:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Various CoCoRaHS observers across the area received between 6 inches to over a foot of snow. The highest accumulations were in the Ponderosa area where one observer received 12.2 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in GLORIETA MESA INCLUDING GLORIETA PASS, NEW MEXICO
From 10-FEB-20 20:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Areas around Glorieta generally received around 4 to 7 inches of snow. A CoCoRaHS observer east of Glorieta received 7.2 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 10-FEB-20 22:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Areas across the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains received nearly a foot of snow. The Taos ski area reported 11 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 10-FEB-20 20:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Areas across the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains received generally 8 to 10 inches of snow. The Wesner Springs SNOTEL near Rociada received about 10 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 10-FEB-20 22:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Various sources around the Santa Fe metro area reported around 3 to 5 inches of snow. The highest report came northwest of the city with 5.3 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY/ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 11-FEB-20 00:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Strong east winds with gusts up to 50 mph on the east side of the Albuquerque metro area created a large variability in accumulations across the city. Snow accumulations on the east side generally ranged from just a trace to around half an inch, but areas on the west side and in Rio Rancho fared better with snow totals up to 4 inches.

Heavy Snow in ESTANCIA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 11-FEB-20 00:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Heavy snow accumulated quickly in the Estancia Valley. Within just a few hours, ten inches of snow accumulated in the Estancia area. A COOP observer in Moriarty measured 7.3 inches of snow which set a new daily snowfall record for the 11th.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 11-FEB-20 02:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotters in the Corona area measured 6 inches of snow early in the morning on the 11th. Areas farther north received up to a foot of snow, and two CoCoRaHS observers in Mountainair each measured 12 inches.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 11-FEB-20 03:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

A SNOTEL near Bonito Lake received about 10 inches of new snow accumulation.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 10-FEB-20 22:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Various sources across western San Miguel County reported snow totals between 6 and 9 inches.

Heavy Snow in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 11-FEB-20 00:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A CoCoRaHS observer in Texico reported 5 inches of snow accumulation.

Heavy Snow in ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 11-FEB-20 01:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A CoCoRaHS observer on the border of Curry and Roosevelt counties received 5 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in SAN AGUSTIN PLAINS AND ADJACENT LOWLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 11-FEB-20 03:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Various sources in the Magdalena area reported about 5 to 6 inches of snow. A trained spotter southeast of Magdalena reported 5 inches of snow while a CoCoRaHS observer in the area reported 6 inches.

Winter Storm in WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 10-FEB-20 20:00:00 to 12-FEB-20 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported severe driving conditions along I-40 with very icy roads in the San Fidel area. At least three motor vehicle accidents were reported with two rollovers, however, no information on any damage or injuries was available from law enforcement.

Winter Storm in LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 11-FEB-20 04:00:00 to 12-FEB-20 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

About 4 inches of snow that fell in the Socorro area and lower Rio Grande Valley caused severe driving conditions along I-25. Snow packed and icy roads caused multiple automobile accidents which resulted in the New Mexico State Police to close I-25 southbound from Socorro to Truth or Consequences. No information on any damage or injuries was available from law enforcement.

Winter Storm in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 10-FEB-20 21:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

About 5 inches of snow in the Encino area caused very dangerous travel conditions along US 285 due to snow packed and icy roads. The COOP observer near Encino measured 4.6 inches of snow which set a new daily snowfall record for the 11th.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 11-FEB-20 03:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Heavy snow in the area resulted in snow totals near to over a foot across mountain peaks. The Frisco Divide SNOTEL near Luna received 9 inches of snow while the Silver Creek Divide SNOTEL near Mogollon received 13 inches. Widespread severe driving conditions were also reported throughout Catron County due to snow packed and icy roads along U.S. Highway 60 and NM State Roads 601, 36, and 32.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 10-FEB-20 21:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains generally received between 9 and 13 inches of snow. A COOP observer in Gascon reported 13 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 11-FEB-20 00:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Various sources in the Arroyo Hondo area reported snow totals between 4 and 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in ESPANOLA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 10-FEB-20 22:00:00 to 11-FEB-20 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Observers in the area from Espanola to Dixon received 4 to 7 inches of snow. The higher amounts fell around Dixon.