What type of winter weather can I expect in New Mexico?

The variety of winter weather that the state can experience ranges from light dustings of snow,  freezing rain,  heavy snows of several feet in the mountains to occasional blizzard conditions across the eastern plains.

Major winter storms and occasional blizzard conditions bring bursts of heavy snow accumulating to 3-6 inches in short periods or 1-2 feet of snow in 12 to 24 hours. Blizzard conditions develop with winds over 35 mph.

Freezing rain and freezing drizzle will create a coating or glazing of ice which is primarily a hazard to travel and for getting along safely on sidewalks, but unusually heavy ice accumulations will damage power lines and other utilities, plus severely damaging trees and some buildings.

Extreme cold and dangerous wind chill can develop with frigid temperatures in combination with gusty winds and temperatures in the 20s and 30s. Frostbite and hypothermia can develop quickly under such conditions.

High winds reaching 35 mph or gusting over 50 mph frequently develop during and just after major winter storms. This leads to periods of blowing and drifting snow well after skies have cleared and temperatures have become frigid.

What makes winter weather in New Mexico so changeable?

The complex terrain of New Mexico, ranging from the eastern plains, high mountains across the northern and western regions, to the Rio Grande valley, combines to create weather regimes that change quickly over relatively short distances. Highway travelers may find themselves first in light snow or rain then suddenly in heavy snow as the highway climbs through a mountain pass. The weather may be relatively mild and sunny along the Rio Grande valley  from Socorro to Albuquerque, with near blizzard conditions found across the high plains east of the central mountain chain.

Always remember...Winter weather can be deadly if you fail to take proper precautions. 

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