National Weather Service issues Winter Storm Warning for New Mexico mountains

The National Weather Service Albuquerque office issued a winter storm warning late Tuesday night for parts of New Mexico, with a Winter Storm Watch in effect from Thursday morning through Friday evening. The watch covers the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Johnson and Bartlett Mesas, and Raton Pass.

Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Snow totals are expected to reach 3 to 8 inches between 7500 and 9500 feet, and 8 to 14 inches above 9500 feet. Travel could be very difficult through mountain passes, and tire chains may be necessary when driving there.

The heaviest snow is expected late Thursday night through Friday morning. At the onset of precipitation on Thursday, snow levels are expected to sit between 9000 and 10000 feet before dropping to around 7500 feet Friday morning after the passage of a cold front.

New Mexico mountain passes

That timing puts the hardest travel conditions in the same window drivers are likely to encounter the highest snowfall rates. Brandon Buckingham, an AccuWeather meteorologist, said, "Some record low maximum temperatures may be set in the Southern states, with highs in the 40s and 50s in some locations, compared to historical averages in the 70s to near 80" and added, "That’s 20 to 30 degrees below average."

Bob Larson, an AccuWeather senior meteorologist, said daytime highs in the Midwest and Northeast will "run several to 10 degrees below average this time, compared to 15 to 30 degrees below average last week."

Colorado and Wyoming

Multiple winter storm warnings and watches were issued for later in the week, with up to 20 inches of snow expected in some of the mountain ranges of Colorado and up to 10 inches on Cloud Peak and Franks Peak in Wyoming. For New Mexico drivers headed into the mountains, the practical step is to plan for chains and slower travel before Thursday night conditions turn most severe.