A series of upper level storm systems moved quickly east through the southwest United States from January 23-26, 2021. Each of these systems was progressively colder and produced several rounds of light to moderate snowfall across much of western and northern New Mexico. The strongest of these systems deepened as it tracked southward along the western coast of the United States before it tracked across New Mexico overnight on the 25th. This system even produced a snow squall that impacted travel along Interstate 40 from near Grants eastward into the Albuquerque metro area. The mountains across northern and central New Mexico received the highest snowfall totals over this multi-day event with accumulations totaling 15 to 25 inches in mountain peaks.

Winter Weather in TUSAS MOUNTAINS INCLUDING CHAMA, NEW MEXICO
From 23-JAN-21 23:00:00 to 26-JAN-21 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Tusas Mountains received about 4 to 8 inches of snow during this three day event although some areas observed localized heavier amounts. The Hopewell SNOTEL near Canon Plaza received about 15 inches of snow over the course of three days.

Winter Weather in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 24-JAN-21 12:00:00 to 26-JAN-21 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains received about 5 to 8 inches of snow over the three day event although some locations did observe locally higher amounts. A SNOTEL near Rociada received about 20 inches of snow with most of that falling overnight on the 25th and through the morning of the 26th.

Winter Weather in EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 24-JAN-21 12:00:00 to 26-JAN-21 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains received about 4 to 9 inches of snow over the three day event. Locations near Angel Fire received locally higher amounts overnight on the 25th and through the morning of the 26th. A spotter near Black Lake measured a storm total of 19 inches of snow on the 26th.

Winter Weather in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 24-JAN-21 13:00:00 to 26-JAN-21 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Jemez Mountains received about 4 to 8 inches of snow during this three day event although some areas observed localized heavier amounts. The Vacas Locas SNOTEL near Cuba received about 21 inches of snow with most of that falling overnight on the 25th and through the morning of the 26th.

Winter Weather in MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY/ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 25-JAN-21 23:30:00 to 26-JAN-21 00:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A snow squall blasted through the Albuquerque metro area with a period of moderate to heavy snow. Visibility was reduced to below one-quarter mile for around 15 minutes and winds gusted up to 30 mph. One to four inches of snow was reported as the squall moved through the city.

Winter Weather in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 24-JAN-21 15:00:00 to 26-JAN-21 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains received about 6 to 9 inches of snow over the three day period, but some locations received locally higher amounts. A SNOTEL site near Taos received about 16 inches of snow while the Red River ski site observed about 25 inches with most of the accumulation falling overnight on the 25th and through the morning of the 26th.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 24-JAN-21 19:00:00 to 26-JAN-21 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Sierra Blanca SNOTEL received an estimated 19 inches of snow during this three day event with the heaviest accumulations falling overnight on the 25th and through the day on the 26th. The heavy snow also led to severe driving conditions along New Mexico State Road 532 from Alto to Ski Apache which forced a road closure on the morning of the 26th.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 24-JAN-21 10:00:00 to 26-JAN-21 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

SNOTEL sites across the southwest mountains received an estimated 10 to 16 inches of snow with the heaviest accumulations occurring overnight on January 25th.

Heavy Snow in SAN FRANCISCO RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 25-JAN-21 19:00:00 to 26-JAN-21 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter near Alma received about 4.5 inches of snow overnight on the 25th and continuing into the morning of the 26th.