Oh-oh! Special Weather Statement

Above, during today's drive. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The National Weather Service posted the following:

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Albuquerque NM

218 PM MST Thu Jan 7 2021

NMZ201>241-081100-

Northwest Plateau-Chuska Mountains-Far Northwest Highlands-

Northwest Highlands-West Central Plateau-West Central Mountains-

West Central Highlands-Southwest Mountains-

San Francisco River Valley-Tusas Mountains Including Chama-

Jemez Mountains-Glorieta Mesa Including Glorieta Pass-

Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains-

Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains-

East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains-Upper Rio Grande Valley-

Espanola Valley-Santa Fe Metro Area-

Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area-

Lower Rio Grande Valley-

Sandia/Manzano Mountains Including Edgewood-Estancia Valley-

Central Highlands-South Central Highlands-Upper Tularosa Valley-

South Central Mountains-

Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass-

Far Northeast Highlands-Northeast Highlands-Union County-

Harding County-Eastern San Miguel County-Guadalupe County-

Quay County-Curry County-Roosevelt County-De Baca County-

Chaves County Plains-Eastern Lincoln County-

Southwest Chaves County-San Agustin Plains and Adjacent Lowlands-

218 PM MST Thu Jan 7 2021

...THE POTENTIAL FOR WINTER IMPACTS IS INCREASING FOR THIS

WEEKEND ACROSS NORTHERN AND EASTERN NEW MEXICO...

A potent winter storm system will cross New Mexico from northwest to southeast Saturday through Sunday morning. Significant snow accumulations are looking more and more likely to cause travel impacts and delays through the northern mountains late Saturday, and then through the eastern plains Saturday night through Sunday morning. The northern mountains are likely to see a range of snow accumulations of four to twelve inches with two to five inches through much of the eastern plains. Locally higher amounts of six to eight inches could be possible through parts of the eastern plains. However, forecast uncertainty remains regarding the exact track and speed of this storm system which lowers confidence inthe higher end snowfall accumulations. Meanwhile, strong crosswinds will cause hazardous travel through most areas and will be the more prominent feature across western New Mexico into the middle and lower Rio Grande Valley where chances for snowfall are significantly lower.

Travel plans are likely to be impacted as a result of this winter storm system through northern and eastern New Mexico. Alternate plans for the weekend will likely be needed. Stay up-to-date to forecast changes, especially regarding snowfall accumulations across eastern New Mexico.