November 14, 2023.
Artesia, New Mexico.
Winter Weather Today Through Saturday.
The first short wave was moving southeastward across southwestern New Mexico near sunrise this morning. A couple more will swing across the region tonight through Saturday.
A couple of short wave troughs of low pressure at the mid-upper levels of the atmosphere will swing across the region today through Saturday morning. Bringing winter weather to parts of New Mexico. Snow levels are forecast to drop down to around 6,000' over western and northern New Mexico. With snow levels down to around 7,000' over the Sacramento mountains.
Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect through 6 AM MST Saturday morning for the Jemez Mountains, the Northwest Highlands, the West-Central Mountains, and the West Central Plateau of New Mexico. New snowfall totals of 3" to 6" with 6" to 12" above 9,000' are forecast.
Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect through 6 AM MST Saturday morning for the Chuska Mountains, Far Northwest Highlands, Southwest Mountains, Tuscas Mountains including the Chama area, the Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Sandia/Manzano Mountains including the Edgewood area. New snowfall accumulations of 1" to 3" at the lower elevations, with 3" to 6" above 7,500', and 6" to 10" above 9,000' are forecast.
As of 8:30 AM MST Thursday morning there are no Winter Storm Watches, Warnings, or Advisories in effect for the Sacramento and Capitan Mountains. Storm total snowfall amounts in the Cloudcroft area are currently forecast to be in the 2" to 4" range. The Ruidoso area is expecting to see totals of an inch or less. Ski Apache may pick up an additional 3" to 7" of new snowfall. Any changes in the impending winter storms to affect the area today into Saturday morning could lead to either more snowfall than currently forecast, of less.
Strong and gusty west and northwest winds will add to travel woes in those locations receiving snowfall today through Saturday morning. Blowing snow will make travel difficult and dangerous in some locations.
Wind chill values are forecast to drop down into the single digits over the higher elevations of the Sacramento Mountains tonight.
Dense fog developed over the southeastern plains early this Thursday morning. Dropping the visibility to less than a quarter of a mile at times. As of 8 am the fog is beginning to burn off and additional clearing will occur through the morning.
A High Wind Warning remains in effect for the Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County and West Texas through 5 PM MST this evening. West winds sustained at 35 to 55 mph with gusts near 75 mph are forecast.
A Wind Advisory is in effect for Eddy, Lea, Otero ,and southwest Chaves Counties, as well as parts of Otero County and West Texas today for west winds sustained at 25 to 35 mph with gusts in the 45 to 55 mph range.
Localized areas of blowing dust will occur during the stronger gusts especially in our normally dust prone locations such as: freshly plowed or exposed farmlands, fields, lots, and highway construction sites.
For those of us in the southeastern plains prepare to have your Christmas decorations blown around/away today. This will be our first strong wind event of the upcoming beginning of the meteorological winter which starts tomorrow (Friday).
Please check your local forecasts often today through Saturday for any additional updated watches, warnings, and advisories that may be issued by our local National Weather Service Offices. Slight changes in the forecast track and speeds of the different mid-upper level short waves could produce more or less snowfall in some areas today through Saturday morning.
There Are None So Blind As Those Who "Will - Not" To See...107.
