Special Weather Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook

Above, New Year's Day 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is forecast that we'll be getting some snow over the weekend and into the early part of next week in New Mexico.

Yesterday afternoon, despite no forecast for any precipitation, we got some snow showers. 

A Special Weather Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service:

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
324 AM MST Thu Feb 11 2021

NMZ201>241-112300-
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-
324 AM MST Thu Feb 11 2021

...CHANCES INCREASING FOR A SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM TO IMPACT
NORTHERN AND CENTRAL NEW MEXICO THIS WEEKEND INTO EARLY MONDAY...

The combination of a frigid arctic cold front and an upper level
low pressure system will bring widespread accumulating snow and
record cold temperatures to much of northern and central New
Mexico beginning late Saturday and continuing through early
Monday.

A number of eastern New Mexico locales will dip below freezing
Thursday night and stay below freezing until Tuesday afternoon.
The coldest temperatures will be felt Monday morning, with single
digit lows across much of central New Mexico and negative readings
across all of eastern New Mexico. Dangerous negative wind chill
temperature readings are likely across east central and northeast
New Mexico late Saturday night into Sunday. In addition to the
frigid temperatures, significant snow accumulation is likely.
Snowfall totals will favor the northern mountains, where amounts
in excess of one foot are likely. Several inches are likely across
the lower elevations as well. Snow will begin late Saturday, peak
Sunday, then come to an end early Monday.

Residents of northern and central New Mexico should begin
preparing now for a prolonged cold spell and significant impacts
to area roadways. Those traveling through northern and central
New Mexico late Saturday through early Monday should consider
alternative routes due to the potential for dangerous road
conditions and possible road closures.

Monitor NOAA weather radio, weather.gov/abq or your local media
for the latest updates on this situation. For the latest road
conditions, dial 511 or 1.800.432.4269, or visit nmroads.com.

Hazardous Weather Outlook

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
314 AM MST Thu Feb 11 2021

NMZ201>241-121115-
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-
314 AM MST Thu Feb 11 2021

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central
New Mexico.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

The modified arctic airmass stretched across the eastern plains will
retreat eastward today and move back further to the west again
tonight, bringing another round of freezing fog to the eastern
plains.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

The arctic airmass will begin to fill into central and western New
Mexico Friday through Sunday, with widespread light to moderate snow
accumulations that may cause disruptions to travel, as it interacts
with a system from the west. In addition, a strong east canyon wind
is possible across Albuquerque and Santa on Sunday. Temperatures
Monday morning are likely to shatter low temperature records, with
much of the eastern plains feeling up to 30 degrees below zero.