Short-Term Update:

Significant Winter Storm

Northern Two-Thirds of New Mexico

NWS Albuquerque
Updated 12:30pm MST Friday
 Hazards and Impact Summary
– Cold Front Has Cleared Far Eastern Plains
• High Wind Warning for parts of CNTL and SC NM Expired at 12 Noon MST
• Wind Advisory for the Eastern Plains until 7pm MST
– Combination of Heavy Rain and High Elevation Snowmelt Has Resulted
in Minor Flooding Across Southern Catron County
• State Highway 15 near Gila Hot Springs remains closed due to high water
• Runoff easing as snow levels crash to the valley floors and heavy
precipitation shifts east of the Upper Gila Region
– Periods of Heavy Mountain Snow Today and Tonight
• Difficult travel conditions in northern and western mountains through
tonight, as well as the high terrain of central and south-central NM
– Snow or Mixed Rain/Snow Showers Lower Elevations Central and West
• Additional snowfall accumulations NOT expected for the ABQ-SAF corridor
through remainder of the day
12PM Observed Temperature
 Gila River near Gila, NM
(Southern Catron County)

Flood Stage

10 Feet
Action Stage
Sharp Rises This
Morning; No
additional rises
5 Feet since 9am.
Latest stage = 5.30’
Forecast Snowfall Remainder of Today (thru 5pm Fri)

Additional, spotty
accumulations through
the remainder of the
afternoon less than 1-2
inches across the higher
terrain.

Locally higher amounts

SC mountains.
Forecast Additional Snowfall Tonight

Local 1-3” snowfall

amounts across the
higher terrain.

Elsewhere, snowfall will

not be significant.
Projected Precip through 5pm Today
Projected Precipitation 5-11pm Friday
12PM Observed Surface Winds
Sustained Wind Forecast
3PM Today (kts)

Winds gradually
diminishing on
the Eastern Plains

Strongest gusts
northeast quarter
 Road Conditions and Closures
• New Mexico
– www.nmroads.com
– 1-800-432-4269 or 511
• Arizona
– www.az511.com
– 1-888 411 7623
• Colorado
– www.cotrip.org
– 1-303-639-1111
 As always…
Stay up to date…
–weather.gov/abq
• (precip & snow map)
–NOAA Weather Radio
–Favorite Media Outlet
–inws.wrh.noaa.gov
–mobile.wrh.noaa.gov
 Winter Weather Safety
• Consider postponing travel in the northern and western Mountains
through tonight
• If you must travel, take a long a winter survival kit…
– flashlight, windshield scraper, paper towels, extra clothes,
matches/candles, booster cables, compass, maps, sand, chains, blankets
and high calorie non-perishable food.
– Let someone know your travel schedule and routes
• If you become stranded…
– Stay with your vehicle until help arrives
– New Mexicans have died trying to go less than
1/2 mile for help alone.
– Let someone know your travel schedule and routes.
– You can be more at risk trying to walk through
the storm for help.
– Make your vehicle as visible as possible for easier rescue.
– You can periodically run the motor for short periods each hour, but
remember to allow fresh air and ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide
poisoning.
– When hiking, hunting, skiing, or if your job takes you into mountainous
areas, know the weather forecast!