A potent upper level storm system that developed over the Great Basin on February 2, 2020 moved slowly southeast toward New Mexico through the 4th. Strong southwest winds developed out ahead of this storm system with many areas reporting peak wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph. The strongest winds impacted the southern high terrain where gusts over 60 mph were reported. A powerful cold front then blasted through the region during the evening of 3rd with more strong winds and dramatically colder temperatures. Snow developed in the wake of the cold front across much of northern and central New Mexico including the eastern plains. The combination of very cold temperatures with snow led to high snow ratios and many areas picking up three to six inches. The Sangre de Cristo and Sacramento mountains faired very well with snowfall in excess of one foot. Bitter cold air settled into the region in the wake of this system with widespread single digits and teens across the state. Parts of northern New Mexico fell into the single digits to teens below zero.

High Wind in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 03-FEB-20 12:50:00 to 03-FEB-20 14:10:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWSS

Peak wind gusts up to 60 mph were reported along parts of the U.S. 60 corridor.

High Wind in WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 03-FEB-20 14:20:00 to 03-FEB-20 14:22:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A brief peak wind of 64 mph was reported at the Gallup airport.

Heavy Snow in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 03-FEB-20 17:00:00 to 04-FEB-20 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Various sources in the area from near Taos to Arroyo Hondo reported snowfall amounts of 6 to 8 inches. Difficult travel was reported across the area.

Heavy Snow in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS INCLUDING EDGEWOOD, NEW MEXICO
From 04-FEB-20 00:00:00 to 04-FEB-20 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Various sources from near Sandia Park south to Edgewood and Manzano reported snowfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches. Difficult travel was reported across the area. Schools were dismissed early for the East Mountain communities.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 04-FEB-20 05:00:00 to 04-FEB-20 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Various spotters over rural eastern Lincoln County reported 3 to 6 inches of snowfall.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHWEST CHAVES COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 04-FEB-20 06:00:00 to 05-FEB-20 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Dunken reported 4 inches of snowfall.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 03-FEB-20 16:00:00 to 04-FEB-20 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Various sources within the area around Red River and Taos Ski Valley reported heavy snowfall amounts of 10 to 18 inches. Very cold temperatures led to high snow ratios near 30:1. Difficult travel was reported over much of the higher terrain.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 03-FEB-20 16:00:00 to 04-FEB-20 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Various sources in the area from near Tres Ritos to the Santa Fe ski basin reported heavy snowfall amounts of 10 to 15 inches. Very cold temperatures led to high snow ratios near 30:1. Difficult travel was reported over much of the high terrain.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 03-FEB-20 17:00:00 to 04-FEB-20 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Various sources in the area from near Eagle Nest to Angel Fire and Gascon reported heavy snowfall amounts of 6 to 14 inches. Very cold temperatures led to high snow ratios near 30:1. Difficult travel was reported across much of the high terrain.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 04-FEB-20 00:00:00 to 05-FEB-20 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Various sources around Ruidoso reported snowfall amounts of 8 to 16 inches. Very cold temperatures led to high snow ratios near 30:1. Difficult travel was reported across the area.

Heavy Snow in ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 04-FEB-20 06:00:00 to 05-FEB-20 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Various spotters from Portales to Dora reported 4 to 6 inches of snowfall.

Heavy Snow in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 04-FEB-20 06:00:00 to 04-FEB-20 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Various spotters across Curry County reported 2 to 6 inches of snowfall. Cannon AFB reported a whopping 8 inches.

Heavy Snow in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 04-FEB-20 06:00:00 to 05-FEB-20 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Various spotters in the area around Roswell, Hagerman, and Elkins reported 3 to 5 inches of snowfall.