Snow To Hit NM Christmas Week

Above, from a storm last February. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yikes!

It looks like it will be dicey Christmas week when it comes to weather conditions. I will be heading to California for the holiday and, while I'm gone, a snowstorm will hit New Mexico.

It will probably be in progress when I fly back, so I am considering some options on what to do if it is when I arrive back.

According to the Albuquerque Journal:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A potentially significant winter storm taking aim at New Mexico for Christmas week is expected to bring deteriorating driving conditions across parts of the state at a time when more people will take to the road. 

“Those travelling on Christmas Day or the day after Christmas should keep a close eye on the forecast because there could be some travel impacts anywhere from Arizona to West Texas and Colorado,” said Brian Guyer, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Albuquerque. 

Motorists can check road conditions online at nmroads.com or by calling 800-432-4269. 

The storm will replace recent mild and dry weather that residents have been enjoying as a system from northern California is expected to dive southeast and approach the state late Christmas Eve. 

Travel conditions are expected to get progressively worse by sunset Christmas Day and as wind, blowing snow and colder temperatures could lead to snow packed and icy roadways, forecasters said, adding conditions could continue to affect travel in the state through Thursday. 

Precipitation is expected begin in the far northwest portion of the state Christmas morning and begin to spread south and east in the afternoon, still mostly over the mountains.

To read more, go here.