A winter storm system brought widespread snow to northern and central New Mexico on March 10-11, 2022. By early on March 10th, this storm strengthened over northern Arizona before tracking eastward across New Mexico on the 11th. Rain and snow showers first began across northwest and west central New Mexico early in the day on the 10th before becoming more widespread throughout that afternoon and into the 11th. Meanwhile, a strong backdoor cold front that moved through eastern New Mexico helped to enhance snowfall totals across the east slopes and adjacent highlands due to the much colder air and easterly upslope flow behind it. The highest snowfall totals were generally focused across northern New Mexico where the mountainous terrain received snow totals of 10 to 20 inches and the upper Rio Grande Valley and northeast highlands generally received around 6 inches. These heavier snow totals extended to also include the Sandia and Manzano Mountains as well as the west central plateau where near 6 inches of snow was also common. Lesser amounts were generally found elsewhere with 2 to 4 inches common across the eastern plains and the northwest highlands. This heavy snow did result in widespread travel impacts, especially across western and northern New Mexico. Interstate 40 near Gallup and U.S. Highway 64 from Taos to Eagle Nest were particularly impacted. Multiple vehicle accidents that involved semi trucks was reported along Interstate 40 near Thoreau. Impacts: heavy snow, avalanches, vehicle accidents, travel impacts.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 10-MAR-22 07:00:00 to 11-MAR-22 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

A SNOTEL near Tres Ritos received an estimated 12 inches of snowfall.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 10-MAR-22 07:00:00 to 11-MAR-22 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A member of the public near Angel Fire received 14 inches of new snowfall. A COOP observer near Eagle Nest measured 9.8 inches of new snow from March 10th through the 11th. This heavy snowfall resulted in difficult driving conditions in the area, particularly along U.S. Highway 64 from Taos to Eagle Nest.

Heavy Snow in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 10-MAR-22 07:00:00 to 11-MAR-22 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter near Arroyo Seco measured 6 inches of new snow. This heavy snow resulted in difficult driving conditions, particularly on U.S. Highway 64 and New Mexico State Road 522.

Heavy Snow in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS INCLUDING EDGEWOOD, NEW MEXICO
From 10-MAR-22 08:00:00 to 11-MAR-22 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A member of the public near Golden measured 7.5 inches of snow while several CoCoRaHS observers near Edgewood and Sedillo received 5 to 6 inches of new snow.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 10-MAR-22 10:00:00 to 11-MAR-22 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Colfax County emergency manager measured 6 inches of new snow near Cimarron.

Avalanche in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 10-MAR-22 06:00:00 to 11-MAR-22 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The Taos Avalanche Center reported widespread avalanche activity in the backcountry across the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains on March 10th. Weak layers deep down in the snowpack could not support the weight of the 10 to 20 inches of heavy snow that fell with this winter storm along with additional heavy snow that had fallen in the week prior. These avalanches that occurred were hundreds of feet wide and about 3 to 5 feet thick and ran well into the trees that were over 1,000 feet below. While nobody was hurt, there was one close call when a skier was pushed over in steep terrain and was buried in a tree well for several minutes. Fortunately, their friends were able to dig them out. An Avalanche Warning that was in effect for the area kept other traffic low in the backcountry during this storm. The only damages done were to trees.

Winter Weather in WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 10-MAR-22 16:00:00 to 11-MAR-22 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Three to five inches of snow fell across the west central mountains, and this snow combined with much colder air resulted in travel impacts on roadways, particularly Interstate 40. Multiple vehicles and semi-trucks were involved in accidents near Thoreau during the morning of March 11th. No injuries were known.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 10-MAR-22 12:00:00 to 10-MAR-22 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The McKinley County emergency manager along with a CoCoRaHS observer measured 6 inches of snow near Gallup. This heavy snow resulted in difficult driving conditions in the area, particularly along Interstate 40.

Heavy Snow in TUSAS MOUNTAINS INCLUDING CHAMA, NEW MEXICO
From 10-MAR-22 06:00:00 to 11-MAR-22 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Various SNOTELs across the Tusas Mountains received snow totals ranging from 10 to 12 inches. This heavy snowfall caused severe driving conditions along U.S. Highway 64 from Tierra Amarilla and Hopewell Lake.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 10-MAR-22 06:00:00 to 11-MAR-22 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The Taos Ski Valley Resort received an estimated 22 inches of snowfall. Various other SNOTELs across the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains received snow totals of 6 to 10 inches. This heavy snowfall resulted in difficult driving conditions on area roadways, particularly along U.S. Highway 64 from Taos to Eagle Nest and along New Mexico State Road 150.