"Significant Storm System" To Bring Snow

Above, snow in Jamestown on February 14, 2021. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like we're going to get snow starting Thursday night. 

Finally! We need the moisture.

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement:

 

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
300 AM MST Wed Dec 8 2021

NMZ201>241-082300-
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-
300 AM MST Wed Dec 8 2021

...SIGNIFICANT STORM SYSTEM TO BRING STRONG WINDS, RAIN, SNOW,
BLOWING SNOW, BLOWING DUST, AND MUCH COLDER AIR TO THE REGION
THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT...

Accumulating snow will develop in the northwest high terrain on
Thursday evening, expanding to the lower elevations of western
and northern New Mexico Thursday night through Friday morning.
Snowfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches are possible in the Chuska,
Tusas, and Jemez Mountains by Friday evening, particularly along
the west-facing slopes and peaks. Lighter amounts are forecast
for the lower elevations, but will still impact road conditions,
including Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 550. The heaviest snow
rates are likely to occur Thursday night through Friday morning.

Strong to potentially damaging wind gusts of 55 to 70 mph will
arrive Thursday night and become widespread across the central
mountain chain and eastern plains Friday as colder air surges
into the state. Dangerous crosswinds with reduced visibilities in
areas of blowing dust over the eastern plains may make travel
hazardous, especially Friday afternoon. Blowing snow over the west
and north will also create hazardous travel for these areas.

Meanwhile, temperatures more typical of mid to late December will
move into northern and central New Mexico Friday and Saturday.
Low temperatures Saturday morning are forecast to drop below zero
for several communities in the northern mountains.

Residents and travelers are reminded to make preparations and
exercise caution as this winter weather system approaches. Stay
updated with the latest forecasts at weather.gov/abq or via your
preferred media source.