An abnormally cold upper level winter storm system impacted northern and central NM on February 15, 2023. Widespread heavy snow was reported across western, northern, and central NM. Impacts began late in the day on February 14, 2023, peaking in intensity during the morning of February 15, 2023 before the storm exited late in the day. Snow accumulations of over a foot up to 15 inches were reported along the Continental Divide and northern mountain peaks. Blowing snow reducing visibility and snow packed roads caused reports of severe winter travel and forced some roads to be closed. These included I-25 at Raton Pass and U.S. Highway 64 from Raton to Clayton. Strong winds were also present with this storm system, although less pronounced compared to the prior storm system. A lone high wind report at the Roswell Airport was observed.

High Wind in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-FEB-23 09:45:00 to 15-FEB-23 09:59:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The Roswell Industrial Airport ASOS reported a peak gust of 59 mph.

Heavy Snow in CHUSKA MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 14-FEB-23 19:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Heavy snow impacted the Chuska Mountains where there was an estimated 13 inches of snow at a SNOTEL site.

Heavy Snow in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 15-FEB-23 04:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Public

Heavy snow impacted the eastern edge of the zone near Taos where there was a nearby report of 8 inches in Valdez. There were various other snow reports of 2 to 5 inches of snow from Taos to Questa.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 14-FEB-23 20:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snow impacted areas along the Continental Divide where the emergency manager relayed reports from teams clearing areas of 12 inches of snow.

Winter Storm in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 14-FEB-23 22:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Heavy snow and blowing snow impacted the caldera of the Valles Caldera where there was an 18 inch report of snow just west of Los Alamos. There were various other reports of 4 to 9 inches of snow through the Jemez Mountains.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-FEB-23 01:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Heavy snow impacted the eastern slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, particularly near Chacon where there were CoCoRaHS reports of 12 to 18 inches of snow. There were also various other reports of 7 to 8 inches of snow within and near the Moreno Valley.

Winter Storm in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-FEB-23 02:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Department of Highways

I-25 was closed at Raton Pass with severe winter driving conditions from snow packed and icy roads and blowing snow with the closure and winter conditions stretching south through the town of Raton.

Heavy Snow in HARDING COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 15-FEB-23 02:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Heavy snow impacted northern portions of Harding County where there a few reports of 6 to 7 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 14-FEB-23 22:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow impacted a small portion of the zone in Cuba where a trained spotter measured 6 inches of snow. There was another report of 4 inches in Cuba with 2.1 inches at Torreon Navajo Mission.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 14-FEB-23 22:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Heavy snow impacted portions of this zone where a CoCoRaHS station near Tierra Amarilla measured 6 inches of snow. Another report of 5.8 inches of snow as near the western fringe of the zone near the CO border.

Heavy Snow in WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 14-FEB-23 20:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Public

Heavy snow impacted the area with a public report of 6 inches of snow in Gallup. There were various other reports of 4 to 6 inches of snow within Gallup.

Winter Storm in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 15-FEB-23 02:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Department of Highways

U.S. Highway 64 was closed from Raton to Clayton due to snow packed and icy roads along with reduced visibility from blowing snow.

Winter Storm in TUSAS MOUNTAINS INCLUDING CHAMA, NEW MEXICO
From 14-FEB-23 22:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Department of Highways

Heavy snow and blowing snow impacted much of the zone causing severe winter travel conditions along U.S. Highway 64 through the Tusas Mountains. There were various reports of 7 to 9 inches of snow across the zone.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-FEB-23 00:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Public

Heavy snow impacted the high terrain of the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains where there was a report of 16 inches of snow in Red River. There were various other reports of 8 to 10 inches of snow across the zone.

Winter Storm in EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-FEB-23 01:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Department of Highways

Severe winter travel conditions were reported from snow packed and icy roads with blowing snow along U.S. Highway 64 through the east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-FEB-23 00:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Public

Heavy snow impacted the higher terrain of the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains where there was a public report of 22 inches of snow near Santa Fe Ski. There were also various other reports of 8 to 10 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS INCLUDING EDGEWOOD, NEW MEXICO
From 15-FEB-23 04:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Public

Heavy snow impacted the East Mountain Communities where there were many reports of 4 to 7 inches of snow in the foothills of the Sandia and Manzano Mountains.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 14-FEB-23 20:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow impacted the southwest mountains where a trained spotter estimated 11 inches of snow upslope of Mogollon. Various other reports of 5 to 7 inches of snow were also reported near Luna and within the Gila National Forest on the west periphery of the zone.

Heavy Snow in SAN FRANCISCO RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 14-FEB-23 22:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow impacted the northern half of the zone where a trained spotter measured 4 inches of snow near Reserve, NM.

Winter Storm in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-FEB-23 06:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Department of Highways

NM Highway 532 between mile marker 0 and 12 was closed due to snow packed, icy, and blizzard conditions.

Winter Storm in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-FEB-23 02:00:00 to 16-FEB-23 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Department of Highways

I-25 was closed through the city of Raton with severe winter driving conditions from snow packed and icy roads and blowing snow. U.S. Highway 64 was closed from Raton to Clayton due to snow packed and icy roads along with reduced visibility from blowing snow.

Heavy Snow in SAN AGUSTIN PLAINS AND ADJACENT LOWLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-FEB-23 04:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Heavy snow impacted an isolated section of the zone in the foothills by Magdalena where there was a CoCoRaHS report of 4.2 inches just south of town.

Winter Storm in JOHNSON AND BARTLETT MESAS INCLUDING RATON PASS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-FEB-23 02:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Department of Highways

I-25 was closed at Raton Pass with severe winter driving conditions from snow packed and icy roads and blowing snow.

Heavy Snow in GLORIETA MESA INCLUDING GLORIETA PASS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-FEB-23 04:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Public

Heavy snow impacted the northwestern section of the zone where there was a public report of 8 inches of snow just north of Glorieta, NM.

Heavy Snow in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 15-FEB-23 08:00:00 to 15-FEB-23 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Heavy snow impacted a small area the zone near the Gallinas Mountains in the Cibola National Forecast where there was a 6 inch report of snow.