This winter storm is going to be one for the history books folks. It ain't yet by any means either. A second short wave trough of low pressure is depicted on the Rapid Update Cycle Model (RUC) above. This upper-level storm will drop southward tonight into tomorrow morning, and then is forecast to crawl eastward across the state tomorrow. Some models are hinting that it may actually stall and deepen tomorrow night to our west.
Snow will increase in intensity and aerial coverage across SE NM tonight as this next upper-level storm approaches. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Chaves and Eddy Counties. We can expect to see another 1" - 3" of new snowfall overnight into tomorrow morning, with isolated 4" totals. Higher amounts will be possible near the mountains.
Winter Storm Warnings continue in effect for the Sacramento Mountains, and southern New Mexico. El Paso, Las Cruces, Alamogordo could see 3" - 6" of new snow overnight into tomorrow morning. Wind Chill values will drop down to -10F tonight into tomorrow morning.
Cloudcroft and nearby areas are expecting to pick up another 6" -12" of snow, with locally higher totals of up to 20" along the higher east facing slopes. The Ruidoso area is expecting to pick up another 6" -12" of snow below 7,500', with generally 10" -16" above 7,500'. Local amounts of up to 18" - 22" will be possible over the higher peaks.
Our temperatures will fall tonight into early tomorrow morning down into the single digits. These readings combined with a stiff NE wind will create dangerous to potentially life threatening wind chill values over the area. Wind Chill Advisories are in effect for the lower elevations of SE NM. A Wind Chill Warning is in effect for the Guadalupe Mtn's.
Wind chill readings will average -5F to -15F across the lower elevations tonight and tomorrow morning. They will range from -15F to -30F across the mountains, including the Guadalupe Pass area. A High Wind Warning is in effect for Guadalupe Pass.
Areas of blowing and drifting snow can be expected across parts of the local area tonight into tomorrow, especially in and close to the mountains. Area roadways will likely become very slick and hazardous, if not down right dangerous to travel upon. Some road closures may occur.
Please travel only if you must later tonight into tomorrow morning. Conditions will become extremely dangerous on our local roadways due to the potentially life threatening wind chill values, the heavy snow, and blowing/drifting snow, and visibilities down near zero at times!
The entire state of New Mexico is under some type of Winter Weather Advisory or Warning. Please visit our local National Weather Service Offices at these web sites for the latest:
Ski Apache 20"
Sandia Tram 18"
3 NE Rudioso 10"
Cloudcroft 9"
Cloudcroft 9"
1 S Capitan 5"
Clovis 2"
Hobbs 2"
Tatum 1.4"
Queen 1"
Carlsbad .6"
The Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction!
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