Winter Storm Coming

Above, snow aftermath two years ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like we're in for a major winter storm coming in Tuesday-Wednesday.

The National Weather Service posted a Special Weather Statement:

 

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Albuquerque NM

213 AM MST Mon Jan 31 2022

NMZ201>241-312300-

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-

213 AM MST Mon Jan 31 2022

...MAJOR WINTER STORM AND UNSEASONABLY COLD TEMPERATURES TO

IMPACT NORTHERN AND CENTRAL NEW MEXICO TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH

THURSDAY...

An upper level storm system combined with an arctic airmass

scheduled to impact the eastern plains looks to produce the most

widespread and severe winter weather conditions northern and

central New Mexico has experienced this season.

Light to moderate snow will begin across northwest and north

central New Mexico Tuesday night then expand southward Wednesday

and Wednesday night. While forecast models still differ in the

track and timing of the storm system, greatest snow accumulations

currently favor the northern and Sandia and Manzano mountains,

adjacent highlands and locales along the Continental Divide.

Combined with the snow, unseasonably cold temperatures will impact

the region. Highs over eastern New Mexico Wednesday and Thursday will

range from the teens to the mid 30s, with Thursday expected to be

the coldest day. Some of this frigid air may bleed westward into

the Rio Grande Valley and to the Continental Divide on a gusty

east wind by Thursday, when highs in the Albuquerque Metro will

struggle to reach the upper 20s. Dangerously cold wind chills will

also exist Thursday and Friday mornings from the central mountain

chain over the eastern plains.

Long duration sub-freezing temperatures could prolong winter

driving conditions as well as other cold weather hazards into the

weekend for areas that receive heavy snow.

The forecast is as follows:

 Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Light southwest wind becoming west 10 to 15 mph in the morning.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. West wind 5 to 15 mph.

Tuesday Night

A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Southwest wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday

A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night

A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9.