Winter Storm Warning 5, NWS Albuquerque, NM

239 
WWUS45 KABQ 261831
WSWABQ

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM
1231 PM MDT WED OCT 26 2011

...WINTER WEATHER ACROSS NORTHERN NEW MEXICO THROUGH THURSDAY
MORNING...

.COLD AIR BLASTING SOUTHWARD AGAINST PACIFIC MOISTURE ACROSS
NORTHERN AND CENTRAL NEW MEXICO WILL TOUCH OFF A FAST ROUND OF
WINTER WEATHER ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE STATE. SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS NORTHERN NEW MEXICO THIS AFTERNOON WILL
CHANGE OVER TO SNOW ALONG THE COLORADO BORDER...WITH SNOW
EXPANDING RAPIDLY SOUTHWARD OVERNIGHT ALONG THE SANGRE DE CRISTO
MOUNTAINS...THE ADJACENT NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS AND NORTHEAST
PLAINS...AND ACROSS THE SAN JUAN AND JEMEZ MOUNTAINS. BY
SUNRISE...SNOWFALL WILL EXTEND OVER THE SUMMITS AND HIGHER SLOPES
OF THE SANDIA MOUNTAINS AND THE ADJACENT EASTERN PLAINS. COLD AIR
FILTERING IN RAPIDLY WITH THE SNOWFALL MAY GLAZE ROAD SURFACES
WITH A THIN COATING OF ICE...AND THEN BE COVERED BY SNOW TO CREATE
HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS IN SPOTS. THE STORM SYSTEM WILL EXIT
RAPIDLY INTO TEXAS ON THURSDAY...WITH SNOW TAPERING OFF FROM WEST
TO EAST DURING THE DAY.

NMZ513>515-270200-
/O.CON.KABQ.WS.W.0005.111026T2200Z-111027T1200Z/
NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER-
SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET-
EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS-
1231 PM MDT WED OCT 26 2011

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS
AFTERNOON TO 6 AM MDT THURSDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW REMAINS IN
EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 6 AM MDT THURSDAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...5 TO 10 INCHES...WITH LOCALLY HIGHER 
  AMOUNTS ON RIDGE TOPS. 

* TIMING...RAIN SHOWERS WILL CHANGE TO SNOW THROUGH THIS EVENING
  AND CONTINUE THROUGH SUNRISE THURSDAY. THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL 
  IS EXPECTED BETWEEN 6 PM AND 3 AM. 

* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 25 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTHEAST AFTER 
  SUNSET. 

* SNOW LEVELS...NEAR 10000 FEET THROUGH EARLY THIS AFTERNOON 
  FALLING TO ALL LOCATIONS BY SUNSET. 

* LOCAL IMPACTS...PLAN ON WINTER TRAVEL CONDITIONS OVER THE AREA 
  THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...PARTICULARLY OVER THE HIGH COUNTRY. 
  CONSIDER DELAYING TRAVEL UNTIL ROAD CONDITIONS IMPROVE...AND 
  PLAN ON EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION. VISIBILITIES 
  WILL BE REDUCED BELOW ONE HALF MILE AT TIMES IN HEAVIER BURSTS 
  OF SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW MEANS
SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING.
SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL
DANGEROUS. STRONG WINDS ARE LIKELY. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY.
IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER
IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

&&

$$

NMZ527-270200-
/O.CON.KABQ.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-111027T1200Z/
RATON RIDGE/JOHNSON MESA-
1231 PM MDT WED OCT 26 2011

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT
THURSDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW REMAINS IN
EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT THURSDAY. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...4 TO 8 INCHES WITH UP TO 10 INCHES ALONG
  INTERSTATE 25 AT RATON PASS.

* TIMING...RAIN SHOWERS WILL CHANGE TO SNOW THROUGH THIS EVENING
  AND CONTINUE THROUGH SUNRISE THURSDAY. THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL IS
  EXPECTED BETWEEN 3 PM AND MIDNIGHT.

* WINDS...NORTH 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH.

* SNOW LEVELS...NEAR 9000 FEET THROUGH LATE THIS MORNING FALLING 
  TO ALL LOCATIONS THROUGH MID AFTERNOON. 

* LOCAL IMPACTS...PLAN ON WINTER TRAVEL CONDITIONS OVER THE AREA 
  THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...PARTICULARLY OVER THE HIGH COUNTRY 
  AND INTERSTATE 25 AT RATON PASS. CONSIDER DELAYING TRAVEL 
  UNTIL ROAD CONDITIONS IMPROVE...AND PLAN ON EXTRA TIME TO 
  REACH YOUR DESTINATION. VISIBILITIES WILL BE REDUCED BELOW ONE 
  HALF MILE AT TIMES IN HEAVIER BURSTS OF SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW MEANS
SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING.
SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL
DANGEROUS. STRONG WINDS ARE LIKELY. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY.
IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER
IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

&&

$$

NMZ511-270200-
/O.EXA.KABQ.WW.Y.0033.111026T2200Z-111027T1200Z/
JEMEZ MOUNTAINS-
1231 PM MDT WED OCT 26 2011

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
6 AM MDT THURSDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ALBUQUERQUE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS
AFTERNOON TO 6 AM MDT THURSDAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...2 TO 4 INCHES...WITH UP TO 6 INCHES LOCALLY
  OVER SUMMITS AND HIGHER SLOPES.

* TIMING...RAIN SHOWERS WILL CHANGE TO SNOW FROM NORTH TO SOUTH
  THROUGH THIS EVENING. SNOW WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT BEFORE
  DIMINISHING QUICKLY AFTER SUNRISE THURSDAY.

* WINDS...NORTHEAST 10 TO 20 MPH THIS AFTERNOON INCREASING TO 20 
  TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH THIS EVENING. 

* SNOW LEVELS...SNOW LEVELS WILL GRADUALLY FALL TO AROUND 6000 
  FEET BY EARLY THIS EVENING THEN TO ALL LEVELS BY MIDNIGHT. 

* LOCAL IMPACTS...PLAN ON WINTER TRAVEL CONDITIONS OVER THE AREA 
  THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING. CONSIDER DELAYING TRAVEL UNTIL ROAD 
  CONDITIONS IMPROVE...AND PLAN ON EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR 
  DESTINATION. VISIBILITIES WILL BE REDUCED BELOW ONE MILE AT 
  TIMES IN HEAVIER BURSTS OF SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW MEANS THAT
VISIBILITIES WILL BE RESTRICTED DUE TO A COMBINATION OF FALLING
AND BLOWING SNOW.

&&

$$

NMZ521-522-270200-
/O.EXA.KABQ.WW.Y.0033.111026T2200Z-111027T1200Z/
SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS-ESTANCIA VALLEY-
1231 PM MDT WED OCT 26 2011

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
6 AM MDT THURSDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ALBUQUERQUE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 6 AM MDT THURSDAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...UP TO 2 INCHES...LOCALLY UP TO 4 INCHES
  OVER SUMMITS AND HIGHER SLOPES.

* TIMING...RAIN SHOWERS WILL CHANGE TO SNOW FROM NORTH TO SOUTH
  LATE THIS EVENING. SNOW WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT BEFORE
  DIMINISHING QUICKLY AFTER SUNRISE THURSDAY.

* WINDS...NORTHEAST 10 TO 20 MPH THIS AFTERNOON INCREASING TO 20 
  TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH THIS EVENING. 

* SNOW LEVELS...SNOW LEVELS WILL GRADUALLY FALL TO AROUND 6000 
  FEET BY EARLY THIS EVENING THEN TO ALL LEVELS BY MIDNIGHT. 

* LOCAL IMPACTS...PLAN ON WINTER TRAVEL CONDITIONS OVER THE AREA
  THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...ESPECIALLY ALONG THE INTERSTATE 40
  CORRIDOR THROUGH TIJERAS CANYON AND OVER SEDILLO HILL. CONSIDER
  DELAYING TRAVEL UNTIL ROAD CONDITIONS IMPROVE...AND PLAN ON
  EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION. VISIBILITIES WILL BE
  REDUCED BELOW ONE MILE AT TIMES IN HEAVIER BURSTS OF SNOW AND
  BLOWING SNOW.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW MEANS THAT
VISIBILITIES WILL BE RESTRICTED DUE TO A COMBINATION OF FALLING
AND BLOWING SNOW.

&&

$$

NMZ510-512-516-523-528>533-270200-
/O.CON.KABQ.WW.Y.0033.111026T2200Z-111027T1200Z/
SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS-WEST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS-
UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY-CENTRAL HIGHLANDS-FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS-
NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS-UNION COUNTY-HARDING COUNTY-
EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY-GUADALUPE COUNTY-
1231 PM MDT WED OCT 26 2011

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS
AFTERNOON TO 6 AM MDT THURSDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT
FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 6 AM MDT THURSDAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...2 TO 4 INCHES.

* TIMING...RAIN SHOWERS WILL CHANGE TO SNOW FROM NORTH TO SOUTH
  THROUGH THIS EVENING. SNOW WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT BEFORE
  DIMINISHING QUICKLY AFTER SUNRISE THURSDAY.

* WINDS...NORTHEAST 10 TO 20 MPH THIS AFTERNOON INCREASING TO 20 
  TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH THIS EVENING. 

* SNOW LEVELS...SNOW LEVELS WILL GRADUALLY FALL TO AROUND 6000 
  FEET BY EARLY THIS EVENING THEN TO ALL LEVELS BY MIDNIGHT. 

* LOCAL IMPACTS...PLAN ON WINTER TRAVEL CONDITIONS OVER THE AREA 
  THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING. CONSIDER DELAYING TRAVEL UNTIL ROAD 
  CONDITIONS IMPROVE...AND PLAN ON EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR 
  DESTINATION. VISIBILITIES WILL BE REDUCED BELOW ONE MILE AT 
  TIMES IN HEAVIER BURSTS OF SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW MEANS THAT
VISIBILITIES WILL BE RESTRICTED DUE TO A COMBINATION OF FALLING
AND BLOWING SNOW.

&&

$$

SHY

191 
WWUS45 KABQ 262105
WSWABQ

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM
305 PM MDT WED OCT 26 2011

...WINTRY OVERNIGHT ON DECK FOR NORTHERN NEW MEXICO...

.A POWERFUL WEATHER SYSTEM FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST MOVING INTO
WESTERN COLORADO WILL SET UP NORTHERN NEW MEXICO FOR A WINTRY
OVERNIGHT. MUCH COLDER SPILLING INTO NORTHERN AND EASTERN SIDES OF
THE STATE WILL MEET UP WITH PACIFIC MOISTURE TO TOUCH OFF SHOWERS
THIS EVENING...WHICH WILL CHANGE OVER TO SNOW OVERNIGHT. AS SNOW
LEVELS FALL...EXPECT THE HEAVIEST ACCUMULATIONS OVER THE SUMMITS
AND HIGHER SLOPES OF THE MOUNTAINS...WITH REDUCED SNOW AMOUNTS
OVER LOWER SLOPES...AND OUT OVER THE ADJACENT FOOTHILLS AND
PLAINS. RAINFALL FOLLOWED BY COLDER AIR MAY PRODUCE SOME ICY SPOTS
ON ROADS...THAT MAY IN TURN BE COVERED BY SNOW. AS THE WEATHER
SYSTEM SWEEPS TO EASTERN NEW MEXICO THURSDAY MORNING...SHOWERS
WILL END AND SKIES WILL CLEAR FROM WEST TO EAST TO EASE HAZARDOUS
WINTER WEATHER BY THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

NMZ513>515-270600-
/O.CON.KABQ.WS.W.0005.111026T2200Z-111027T1200Z/
NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER-
SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET-
EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS-
305 PM MDT WED OCT 26 2011

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT
THURSDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW REMAINS IN
EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT THURSDAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...5 TO 10 INCHES...WITH LOCALLY HIGHER 
  AMOUNTS ON RIDGE TOPS. 

* TIMING...LATE AFTERNOON RAIN SHOWERS WILL CHANGE TO SNOW THROUGH
  THIS EVENING WITH SNOW CONTINUING THROUGH SUNRISE THURSDAY. EXPECT
  THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL BETWEEN 8 PM AND 3 AM MDT.

* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 15 TO 25 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTHEAST AFTER 
  SUNSET. 

* SNOW LEVELS...FALLING TO ALL LOCATIONS BY SUNSET.

* LOCAL IMPACTS...PLAN ON WINTER TRAVEL CONDITIONS OVER THE AREA 
  THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...PARTICULARLY OVER THE HIGH COUNTRY. 
  CONSIDER DELAYING TRAVEL UNTIL ROAD CONDITIONS IMPROVE...AND 
  PLAN ON EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION. VISIBILITIES 
  WILL BE REDUCED BELOW ONE HALF MILE AT TIMES IN HEAVIER BURSTS 
  OF SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW MEANS
SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING.
SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL
DANGEROUS. STRONG WINDS ARE LIKELY. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY.
IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER
IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

&&

$$

NMZ527-270600-
/O.CON.KABQ.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-111027T1200Z/
RATON RIDGE/JOHNSON MESA-
305 PM MDT WED OCT 26 2011

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT
THURSDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW REMAINS IN
EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT THURSDAY. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...4 TO 8 INCHES...WITH UP TO 10 INCHES
  LOCALLY ALONG INTERSTATE 25 AT RATON PASS.

* TIMING...RAIN SHOWERS WILL CHANGE TO SNOW THROUGH THIS EVENING
  WITH SNOW CONTINUING THROUGH SUNRISE THURSDAY. THE HEAVIEST
  SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED BETWEEN 6 PM AND 3 AM MDT.

* WINDS...NORTH 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH.

* SNOW LEVELS...NEAR 8500 FEET THROUGH LATE THIS AFTERNOON FALLING TO
  ALL LOCATIONS AFTER SUNSET.

* LOCAL IMPACTS...PLAN ON WINTER TRAVEL CONDITIONS OVER THE AREA 
  THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...PARTICULARLY OVER THE HIGH COUNTRY 
  AND INTERSTATE 25 AT RATON PASS. CONSIDER DELAYING TRAVEL 
  UNTIL ROAD CONDITIONS IMPROVE...AND PLAN ON EXTRA TIME TO 
  REACH YOUR DESTINATION. VISIBILITIES WILL BE REDUCED BELOW ONE 
  HALF MILE AT TIMES IN HEAVIER BURSTS OF SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW MEANS
SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING.
SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL
DANGEROUS. STRONG WINDS ARE LIKELY. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY.
IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER
IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

&&

$$

NMZ510>512-516-523-528>533-270600-
/O.CON.KABQ.WW.Y.0033.111026T2200Z-111027T1200Z/
SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS-JEMEZ MOUNTAINS-
WEST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS-UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY-
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS-FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS-NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS-
UNION COUNTY-HARDING COUNTY-EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY-
GUADALUPE COUNTY-
305 PM MDT WED OCT 26 2011

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT
THURSDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT
UNTIL 6 AM MDT THURSDAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...2 TO 4 INCHES.

* TIMING...RAIN SHOWERS WILL CHANGE TO SNOW FROM NORTH TO SOUTH 
  THROUGH THIS EVENING. SNOW WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT BEFORE 
  DIMINISHING QUICKLY AFTER SUNRISE THURSDAY. 

* WINDS...NORTHEAST 10 TO 20 MPH THIS AFTERNOON INCREASING TO 20 
  TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH THIS EVENING. 

* SNOW LEVELS...SNOW LEVELS NEAR 8500 FEET WILL FALL TO 6000 FEET
  BY MID EVENING...AND THEN TO ALL LEVELS BY MIDNIGHT.

* LOCAL IMPACTS...PLAN ON WINTER TRAVEL CONDITIONS OVER THE AREA 
  THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING. CONSIDER DELAYING TRAVEL UNTIL ROAD 
  CONDITIONS IMPROVE...AND PLAN ON EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR 
  DESTINATION. VISIBILITIES WILL BE REDUCED BELOW ONE MILE AT 
  TIMES IN HEAVIER BURSTS OF SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW MEANS THAT
VISIBILITIES WILL BE RESTRICTED DUE TO A COMBINATION OF FALLING
AND BLOWING SNOW.

&&

$$

NMZ521-522-270600-
/O.CON.KABQ.WW.Y.0033.111026T2200Z-111027T1200Z/
SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS-ESTANCIA VALLEY-
305 PM MDT WED OCT 26 2011

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT
THURSDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT
UNTIL 6 AM MDT THURSDAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...UP TO 2 INCHES...LOCALLY UP TO 4 INCHES 
  OVER SUMMITS AND HIGHER SLOPES. 

* TIMING...RAIN SHOWERS WILL CHANGE TO SNOW FROM NORTH TO SOUTH 
  LATE THIS EVENING. SNOW WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT BEFORE 
  DIMINISHING QUICKLY AFTER SUNRISE THURSDAY. 

* WINDS...NORTHEAST 10 TO 20 MPH THIS AFTERNOON INCREASING TO 20 
  TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH THIS EVENING. 

* SNOW LEVELS...SNOW LEVELS NEAR 9000 FEET WILL GRADUALLY FALL TO
  AROUND 6500 FEET BY MID EVENING THEN TO ALL LEVELS AFTER
  MIDNIGHT.

* LOCAL IMPACTS...PLAN ON WINTER TRAVEL CONDITIONS OVER THE AREA 
  THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...ESPECIALLY ALONG THE INTERSTATE 40 
  CORRIDOR THROUGH TIJERAS CANYON AND OVER SEDILLO HILL. 
  CONSIDER DELAYING TRAVEL UNTIL ROAD CONDITIONS IMPROVE...AND 
  PLAN ON EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION. VISIBILITIES 
  WILL BE REDUCED BELOW ONE MILE AT TIMES IN HEAVIER BURSTS OF 
  SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW MEANS THAT
VISIBILITIES WILL BE RESTRICTED DUE TO A COMBINATION OF FALLING
AND BLOWING SNOW.

&&

$$

SHY

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM
338 AM MDT WED OCT 26 2011

.DISCUSSION...

...AN INTENSE BURST OF WINTRY WEATHER ON THE WAY FOR PARTS OF NM...

THE MUCH ANTICIPATED WINTER STORM SYSTEM IS QUICKLY APPROACHING THE
LAND OF ENCHANTMENT. LATEST SFC ANALYSIS SHOWS THE STRONG PACIFIC
COLD FRONT RACING SE TOWARD THE FOUR CORNERS WHILE THE FRONT RANGE
FRONT SLIPS SOUTH INTO NE NM. THE WATER VAPOR LOOP SHOWS THE UPPER
WAVE MOVING EAST ACROSS THE GREAT BASIN WITH AN EXTENDED BAROCLINIC
ZONE STRETCHING ENE ACROSS THE CENTRAL ROCKIES. INSTABILITY ASSCD
WITH A 80-100 KT UPPER JET OVER NM IS SPARKING SOME ISOLD/SCT
STORMS AS WELL OVER WESTERN NM. 00Z MODELS ARE FINALLY IN GOOD
AGREEMENT ON THE OVERALL WINTER STORM SYSTEM...THUS CONFIDENCE ON
DETAILS IS MUCH HIGHER TODAY. WILL UPGRADE WATCH TO WARNING FOR
THE SANGRES AND THE RATON PASS AREA...WITH ADVISORIES SURROUNDING
THIS AREA FROM THE SAN JUANS TO THE NE PLAINS ALONG AND NORTH OF
I40.

LOTS OF INTERESTING SYNOPTIC AND MESOSCALE FEATURES WILL SET UP OVER
THE AREA TODAY. THE GREATEST THREAT/IMPACT WILL COME BETWEEN 6PM AND
3AM TONIGHT AS INTENSE FRONTOGENESIS TAKES SHAPE ALONG THE EAST SLOPES
OF THE SANGRES AND THE CENTRAL AND NE HIGHLANDS. THE 00Z GFS/NAM AGREE
AN INTENSE BURST OF SNOWFALL WILL DEVELOP IN THIS AREA AS INDICATED
BY A SHARP INCREASE IN OMEGA FIELDS RELATIVELY COINCIDENT WITH THE
MAX SNOW GROWTH LAYER. AN INTENSE PRESSURE GRADIENT WILL CREATE
EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS IN BLOWING SNOW FOR A COUPLE HOURS
THIS EVENING ALONG INTERSTATE 25 BETWEEN RATON PASS AND LAS VEGAS
THEN OVER INTERSTATE 40 BETWEEN CLINES CORNERS AND TUCUMCARI. SNOW
AMOUNTS WILL BE SOLID ADVISORY FOR THE PLAINS AND MARGINAL WARNING
FOR THE HIGH TERRAIN. BANDED SNOWFALL EXPECTED WITHIN THE AREA WILL
CREATE SHARP SNOWFALL GRADIENTS.

MUCH COLDER AIR FILTERING INTO THE REGION WILL END THE GROWING SEASON
FOR AREAS CURRENTLY HIGHLIGHTED IN THE FREEZE WATCH SO THIS WILL BE
UPGRADED TO A WARNING AS WELL. LOW CLOUDS AND PATCHY FOG THURSDAY
WILL STICK AROUND AS INDICATED BY 00Z BUFKIT CROSS SECTIONS OVER
THE EASTERN PLAINS...PARTICULARLY FROM RATON TO LAS VEGAS AND CLINES
CORNERS. MAX TEMPS AS A RESULT HAVE TRENDED EVEN LOWER WITH LOTS
OF 30S/40S.

WEST TO NORTHWEST FLOW WILL DEVELOP OVER THE REGION THROUGH THE
WEEKEND WITH SLOWLY MODERATING TEMPS AND MAINLY CLEAR SKIES.

GUYER

&&

.AVIATION...
UPPER LEVEL STORM SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT WILL RESULT IN
INCREASING SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS TODAY OVER MUCH OF
NORTHERN AND CENTRAL NEW MEXICO. MORE FREQUENT MVFR TO LOCAL IFR
CIGS AND VSBYS IN RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS ARE POSSIBLE AT HIGHER
ELEVATIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHWEST AND NORTHEAST NM
ESPECIALLY ALONG THE COLORADO BORDER. THE SURFACE GRADIENT
ASSOCIATED WITH THE COLD FRONT WILL STRENGTHEN SIGNIFICANTLY BY
27/00Z ACROSS THE NORTHEAST AND EAST CENTRAL PLAINS...RESULTING IN
LLWS AND SFC WND GUSTS TO AROUND 35 OR 40KT.

NEXT AVIATION DISCUSSION SCHEDULED FOR 21Z.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
A DEEPENING UPPER TROUGH DEVELOPING OVER THE GREAT BASIN WILL BRING
SIGNIFICANTLY COLDER AIR AND WELCOME RAIN/SNOW TO MUCH OF THE
NORTHEAST THIRD OF NM THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

NORTHERLY WINDS HAVE ALREADY SPREAD INTO THE EASTERN PLAINS...BUT
THE MAJOR SURGE...THEREFORE THE STRONGEST WINDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE
SURFACE COLD FRONT ARE EXPECTED LATER THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING
WHEN GUSTS TO 40 TO 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE. MODELS ARE IN MUCH BETTER
AGREEMENT REGARDING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN EASTERLY WIND INTO THE RGV
TONIGHT...WHEN THE ABQ METRO MAY SEE GUSTS AROUND 45 MPH.

THE HIGHER TERRAIN NORTH OF INTERSTATE 40 AND ESPECIALLY NEAR THE
COLORADO BORDER...WILL BE THE MOST ACTIVE AREA FOR SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS TODAY WHILE THE FAR NORTHEAST PLAINS EXPERIENCES A 30 TO
35 DEGREE TEMPERATURE DROP FROM TUESDAY ALONG WITH LOWERING CLOUDS AND
INCREASING CHANCES FOR RAIN. THE POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL
INCREASES LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING IN THE NORTHERN
MOUNTAINS AND THE NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS AS THE COLD AIR SPREADS
FARTHER SOUTH ACROSS NM. LESS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW MAY
DEVELOP IN THE AREA FROM CLINES CORNERS TO CLAYTON.

THE STORM SYSTEM WILL EXIT TO THE EAST THURSDAY...LEAVING BEHIND
COLDER TEMPERATURES...LESS WIND AND GENERALLY FAIR TO POOR
VENTILATION FOR MUCH OF THE REGION. A WEAK RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE
WILL DEVELOP OVER THE DESERT SOUTHWEST FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AND
PROLONG THE LIGHT WIND AND POOR VENTILATION REGIME FOR THE STATE
DESPITE A DECENT WARM-UP.

FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE LIKELY LATE THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY
MORNING FOR MANY AREAS THAT HAVE NOT YET SEEN A FROST/FREEZE SO FAR
THIS FALL.

THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEKEND LOOKS DRY WITH COOL/COLD MORNINGS AND
MILD-TO-WARM AFTERNOONS. HOWEVER...VENTILATION WILL LIKELY REMAIN
FAIR TO POOR.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
FARMINGTON......................  52  30  51  29 /  60  30   0   0
DULCE...........................  51  28  47  23 /  80  60   5   0
CUBA............................  54  32  49  32 /  60  70  10   0
GALLUP..........................  55  26  52  23 /  50  40   0   0
EL MORRO........................  55  26  50  20 /  40  50   5   0
GRANTS..........................  60  32  52  26 /  40  50   5   0
QUEMADO.........................  62  32  55  28 /  30  50   0   0
GLENWOOD........................  72  38  63  34 /  10  30   0   0
CHAMA...........................  46  22  42  27 / 100  80  10   0
LOS ALAMOS......................  54  30  44  38 /  60  80  20   0
PECOS...........................  54  26  43  32 /  60 100  30   0
CERRO/QUESTA....................  52  23  43  25 /  60  80  20   0
RED RIVER.......................  42  19  34  18 /  80 100  20   0
ANGEL FIRE......................  46  18  39  18 /  80 100  20   0
TAOS............................  54  26  44  24 /  50  60  10   0
MORA............................  53  25  41  29 /  60 100  20   0
ESPANOLA........................  60  33  49  27 /  40  50   5   0
SANTA FE........................  56  28  44  32 /  60  70  20   0
SANTA FE AIRPORT................  58  32  47  34 /  50  70  10   0
ALBUQUERQUE FOOTHILLS...........  64  38  50  35 /  50  50   5   0
ALBUQUERQUE HEIGHTS.............  68  41  52  40 /  40  40   5   0
ALBUQUERQUE VALLEY..............  69  39  53  36 /  30  40   0   0
ALBUQUERQUE WEST MESA...........  68  39  52  36 /  40  50   5   0
LOS LUNAS.......................  70  41  54  30 /  30  40   0   0
RIO RANCHO......................  68  39  52  34 /  40  50   5   0
SOCORRO.........................  74  42  56  38 /  10  30   5   0
SANDIA PARK/CEDAR CREST.........  63  32  49  32 /  50  80  20   0
TIJERAS.........................  64  35  51  31 /  50  70  20   0
MORIARTY/ESTANCIA...............  62  32  45  30 /  50  80  30   0
CLINES CORNERS..................  60  26  42  29 /  60 100  30   0
GRAN QUIVIRA....................  64  34  47  33 /  30  70  30   0
CARRIZOZO.......................  68  38  54  36 /  20  30  10   0
RUIDOSO.........................  65  31  46  29 /  30  80  40   0
CAPULIN.........................  42  20  38  26 /  80 100  20   5
RATON...........................  47  22  42  28 /  80 100  20   0
SPRINGER........................  52  23  43  24 /  60 100  20   0
LAS VEGAS.......................  54  23  41  28 /  60 100  20   0
CLAYTON.........................  44  26  44  32 /  50  80  10   0
ROY.............................  48  29  42  26 /  50 100  20   5
CONCHAS.........................  56  31  49  33 /  40  80  20   0
SANTA ROSA......................  58  32  46  34 /  30 100  20   0
TUCUMCARI.......................  55  31  49  31 /  20  90  20   0
CLOVIS..........................  60  33  46  34 /  10  80  30   0
PORTALES........................  63  34  45  34 /  10  80  30   5
FORT SUMNER.....................  67  36  49  35 /  10  80  30   0
ROSWELL.........................  78  43  50  38 /   5  60  30   0
PICACHO.........................  76  39  47  32 /   5  60  30   0
ELK.............................  70  38  46  28 /  10  60  30   0

&&

.ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FREEZE WARNING FROM 2 AM TO 9 AM MDT THURSDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING
ZONES...NMZ518-530>535.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 6 AM MDT
THURSDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES...NMZ510-512-516-523-528>533.

WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 6 AM MDT THURSDAY
FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES...NMZ513>515.

WINTER STORM WARNING FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 AM MDT THURSDAY FOR THE
FOLLOWING ZONES...NMZ527.

&&

GUYER

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM
518 AM MDT TUE OCT 25 2011

NMZ501>540-261200-
NORTHWEST PLATEAU-CHUSKA MOUNTAINS-FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS-
NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS-WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU-WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS-
WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS-SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS-
SAN FRANCISCO RIVER VALLEY-SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS-JEMEZ MOUNTAINS-
WEST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS-
NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER-
SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET-
EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS-UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY-
LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY-SANTA FE METRO AREA-ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA-
LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY-SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS-ESTANCIA VALLEY-
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS-SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS-UPPER TULAROSA VALLEY-
SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS-RATON RIDGE/JOHNSON MESA-
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-
518 AM MDT TUE OCT 25 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH AND CENTRAL
NEW MEXICO.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS ARE POSSIBLE FROM WEDNESDAY
AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY FROM THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS EASTWARD
ACROSS THE NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS AND NORTHEAST PLAINS. SUB-FREEZING
TEMPERATURES ARE POSSIBLE THURSDAY MORNING FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS
FALL SEASON FOR THE SANTA FE METRO AREA AND THE NORTHEAST AND EAST
CENTRAL PLAINS.

WEATHER CAN CHANGE VERY RAPIDLY. ALWAYS USE THE LATEST FORECASTS...
WATCHES AND WARNINGS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED.

GUYER