A slow moving Pacific storm system brought a multitude of hazards to northern and central New Mexico from February 22, 2022 through February 24th. Ahead of this system, southwest flow aloft strengthened as this system steered a potent jet overhead. With deep mixing heights, these winds mixed down to the surface each day with gusts over 40 mph common areawide. With the core of this southwest-to-northeast oriented jet moving across the state on February 23th, surface winds peaked accordingly, especially across southern New Mexico. Wind gusts in excess of 50 mph were common with a couple sites in the lower Rio Grande Valley measuring high wind speeds over 58 mph. With dry conditions still in place, these winds resulted in areas of blowing dust and reduced visibility. The Sandia and Manzano Mountains, usually easily visible throughout the Albuquerque metro area, were obscured during the afternoon due to the blowing dust.
Meanwhile, an Arctic airmass surged into eastern and central New Mexico on February 22nd and 23rd, resulting in cold temperatures and setting the stage for snow across portions of the area. As this Pacific storm system dived southward closer to the Four Corners area, moisture ahead of it seeped into western New Mexico. This generated light snow shower activity starting late on February 21st, but snow showers peaked in coverage and intensity late on February 23rd as this system finally arrived to the Four Corners area. By the time snow tapered off during the morning of February 24th, northern and western mountains had received snow totals near a foot while lower elevations across the west received totals ranging from two to four inches. The Albuquerque and Santa Fe metro areas even picked up light snow accumulations of less than three inches. The combination of snow and cold temperatures from the Arctic airmass resulted in widespread difficult to severe travel conditions across western and central New Mexico. Impacts: high wind, blowing dust, strong crosswinds, heavy snow, icy roads.

High Wind in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-FEB-22 16:38:00 to 23-FEB-22 17:38:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

A RAWS station near Old Horse Springs measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.

High Wind in LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-FEB-22 16:20:00 to 23-FEB-22 17:25:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A White Sands Missile Range mesonet station measured a peak wind gust of 61 mph.

High Wind in WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 23-FEB-22 12:50:00 to 23-FEB-22 13:05:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An ASOS station near Gallup measured a peak wind gust of 61 mph.

High Wind in UPPER TULAROSA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-FEB-22 15:50:00 to 23-FEB-22 17:07:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 35.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A mesonet station southwest of Ancho measured a peak sustained wind speed of 40 mph.

Heavy Snow in TUSAS MOUNTAINS INCLUDING CHAMA, NEW MEXICO
From 21-FEB-22 20:00:00 to 24-FEB-22 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snow totals in the Tusas Mountains generally ranged from 6 to 13 inches with a SNOTEL near Canon Plaza receiving the highest total with an estimated 13 inches. This heavy snow combined with strong winds resulted in poor visibility and severe driving conditions across the area. U.S. Highway 64 between Tierra Amarilla and Tres Piedras was closed starting the morning of February 22nd until conditions improved on the 24th.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 21-FEB-22 22:00:00 to 24-FEB-22 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Taos Ski Valley reported an estimated 12 inches of new snow. This heavy snow resulted in poor driving conditions, especially along U.S. Highway 64.

Heavy Snow in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS INCLUDING EDGEWOOD, NEW MEXICO
From 23-FEB-22 21:30:00 to 24-FEB-22 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Several sources across the Sandia and Manzano Mountains measured snow totals ranging from 5 to 7 inches. The highest snow totals across this zone were near Edgewood where a CoCoRaHS observer measured 7.2 inches of new snow. The heavy snow forced the closure of Sandia Crest Road.