A strong and cold low pressure system deepened over the Great Basin area before tracking eastward over the state of New Mexico starting on March 23 and continuing through March 24, 2021. Meanwhile, a potent cold front surged south and west through eastern New Mexico, and upslope flow associated with this front helped to set the stage for heavy snow across the east slopes of the central mountain chain. The highest snow accumulations were observed across the northern mountains and along the east slopes where 12 to 24 inches was received. This led to snow-packed and icy roads across much of northern and central New Mexico, and travel was heavily impacted. A major accident involving 39 vehicles along Interstate 40 east of Moriarty led to several injuries as well as the closure of the busy travel corridor. Meanwhile, as the cold front was channeled through the central mountain chain, very strong gap winds were observed in the Albuquerque area. The Albuquerque Sunport measured a peak wind gust of 68 mph which resulted in numerous reports of downed trees and power outages across the city.

High Wind in MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY/ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 24-MAR-21 03:15:00 to 24-MAR-21 08:55:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

High wind was reported at the ABQ Sunport for several hours during the morning hours of March 24th, and the ASOS station measured a peak wind gust of 68 mph. High winds led to several reports of downed trees across northeast Albuquerque while about 22,000 people across the metro experienced power outages. Damages are estimated for the downed trees.

Heavy Snow in NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-21 16:00:00 to 24-MAR-21 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A COOP observer near Cuba measured 6 inches of new snow.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-21 18:00:00 to 24-MAR-21 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Various sources across the area received 7 to 14 inches of snow. A trained spotter near Prewitt reported 14 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-21 16:00:00 to 24-MAR-21 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Various sources across the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains received snow totals ranging from 8 to 18 inches. A SNOTEL site near Rociada received about 18 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-21 18:00:00 to 24-MAR-21 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains received heavy snow totals with amounts ranging from 8 to 16 inches. A trained spotter in Gascon measured 16 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-21 18:00:00 to 24-MAR-21 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Various sources across the area reported snow totals ranging from 9 to 12 inches. A trained spotter near Wagon Mound measured 12 inches of snow. The strong winds also resulted in three foot snow drifts in Wagon Mound.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-21 20:00:00 to 24-MAR-21 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A CoCoRaHS observer near San Pablo measured 11.8 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-21 19:00:00 to 24-MAR-21 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The highest snow totals in the area were in San Fidel where a trained spotter received 10 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in TUSAS MOUNTAINS INCLUDING CHAMA, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-21 18:00:00 to 24-MAR-21 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Various SNOTELs across the Tusas Mountains received 7 to 10 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS INCLUDING EDGEWOOD, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-21 21:00:00 to 24-MAR-21 14:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Various sources across the Sandia and Manzano Mountains received snow totals ranging from 6 to 12 inches. The highest totals were located near Ponderosa and Miera where a CoCoRaHS observer measured 12 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-21 20:00:00 to 24-MAR-21 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A member of the public reported 6 inches near Clines Corners. The combination of heavy snow and strong winds resulted in severe driving conditions that forced the closure of Interstate 40 beginning at Clines Corners for several hours on March 24th.

Heavy Snow in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 24-MAR-21 02:00:00 to 24-MAR-21 14:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Various sources across Guadalupe County reported 5 to 8 inches of snow. The combination of heavy snow and strong winds resulted in several road closures across the county, including Interstate 40 near Santa Rosa. Additionally, New Mexico State Road 219 and U.S. Highway 285 were closed for several hours on March 24th.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 24-MAR-21 02:00:00 to 24-MAR-21 14:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter southeast of Corona measured 8 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-21 17:00:00 to 24-MAR-21 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Various sources across the Jemez Mountains received 8 to 12 inches of snow. A CoCoRaHS observer near Ponderosa measured 11.5 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-21 16:00:00 to 24-MAR-21 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains received snow totals ranging from 8 to 17 inches. The highest accumulations were found in the Red River area where a ski site reported 17 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-21 22:00:00 to 24-MAR-21 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter near Corona measured 8 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in JOHNSON AND BARTLETT MESAS INCLUDING RATON PASS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-21 17:00:00 to 24-MAR-21 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A member of the public near Vermejo Park reported 9 inches of snow.

Winter Storm in ESTANCIA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-21 21:00:00 to 24-MAR-21 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 700.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The combination of heavy snow and strong winds resulted in severe driving conditions along Interstate 40 east of Moriarty for several hours on March 24. The poor conditions led to a major accident involving multiple vehicles 10 miles east of Moriarty along Interstate 40. Thirty-nine vehicles were involved of which thirty-five were tractor trailers. As a result, Interstate 40 was closed into the morning hours of March 25th. Eleven people were injured, but no fatalities occurred. Damages are estimated for the multiple vehicles involved.