A typical spring time storm system impacted New Mexico from March 21st through March 23, 2022. This system approached from the west and tracked over southern New Mexico over this time period, bringing multiple hazards. Daily rounds of high winds were common, especially across northeast New Mexico behind a strong backdoor cold front. Precipitation began as low elevation rain and mountain snow across western and northern portions of New Mexico, but as snow levels fell with the passage of this system, lower elevations across the Rio Grande Valley picked up a few inches of snow as well. The highest impacts from this system were across northeast New Mexico where the combination of the strongest winds and snow created blizzard-like conditions. Difficult to severe travel was common across Colfax and Union counties, and several roadways, such as U.S. Highway 64 between Raton and Clayton, were forced to close. Impacts were felt in the Santa Fe and Albuquerque metros as well as a band of heavy snow traveling south through the Rio Grande Valley produced three to six inches of snow in the early morning hours of the 23rd as the storm system was finally exiting the area. This last round of heavy snow forced the closure of Interstate 40 west of Albuquerque, stranding travelers. Impacts: heavy snow, high winds, blizzard conditions, severe travel conditions, road closures.

High Wind in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 21-MAR-22 14:13:00 to 21-MAR-22 14:55:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An ASOS station in Tucumcari measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.

High Wind in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 22-MAR-22 08:53:00 to 22-MAR-22 09:05:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An ASOS in Raton measured a peak wind gust of 66 mph.

High Wind in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 22-MAR-22 08:53:00 to 22-MAR-22 10:50:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 41.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An ASOS station in Raton measured a peak sustained wind speed of 47 mph.

High Wind in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 22-MAR-22 11:55:00 to 22-MAR-22 13:55:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An ASOS station in Clayton measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.

High Wind in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 22-MAR-22 09:58:00 to 22-MAR-22 11:13:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A CWOP weather station near Clovis measured a peak wind gust of 62 mph.

High Wind in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-22 13:53:00 to 23-MAR-22 14:25:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An ASOS station in Raton measured a peak wind speed of 59 mph.

High Wind in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-22 13:45:00 to 23-MAR-22 15:20:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

A downed power pole in Mount Dora caused power outages in the Mount Dora, Des Moines, Clayton, and Capulin areas. Damages are a rough estimate.

Heavy Snow in GLORIETA MESA INCLUDING GLORIETA PASS, NEW MEXICO
From 22-MAR-22 11:00:00 to 23-MAR-22 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The highest reports were near Glorieta where a CoCoRaHS observer measured 6.5 inches of snow. This heavy snow led to severe travel conditions along Interstate 25 through Glorieta Pass.

Heavy Snow in MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY/ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 22-MAR-22 21:30:00 to 23-MAR-22 06:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Multiple sources reported heavy snow across the Albuquerque metro area with snow totals of 4 to 7 inches. This heavy snow led to difficult to severe travel conditions across the area, and Interstate 40 west of Albuquerque at mile marker 147 was forced to close. This caused major traffic backup, stranding many travelers. The official snow total at Albuquerque International Airport was 2.4 inches on the morning of the 23rd which set a new daily record for snowfall.

Winter Storm in JOHNSON AND BARTLETT MESAS INCLUDING RATON PASS, NEW MEXICO
From 21-MAR-22 09:45:00 to 22-MAR-22 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The combination of heavy snow and high winds created blizzard-like conditions in the area which forced the closure of U.S. Highway 64 from Raton to Clayton.

Winter Storm in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 21-MAR-22 09:45:00 to 22-MAR-22 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The combination of heavy snow and high winds created blizzard-like conditions in the area which forced the closure of U.S. Highway 64 from Raton to Clayton. Snow totals around Union County were generally between 2 to 5 inches with a CoCoRaHS observer near Grenville measuring 5 inches of snow.