Blizzard and Heavy Snow in New Mexico, December 6 to 8, 2009

The San Juan Mountains were the hardest hit area from this winter storm - particularly the west slopes. Widespread amounts of 10 to 20 inches were common, however, there were a few locales that received more. Over 2 feet of snow was recorded at the Hopewell SNOTEL site, while almost 2 feet of snow was recorded at the Chamita SNOTEL. The cooperative observer in Chama measured a total of 17.5 inches for the event.

Heaviest snow accumulations were reported generally above 6500 feet across the far northwest highlands. The cooperative observer in Dulce recorded a total of 14 inches.

Over a foot of snow was reported across the Jemez Mountains, including 12.5 inches northwest of La Cueva and around 22 inches at Pajarito Ski Area. Strong winds around Los Alamos resulted in downed power lines in the North Mesa and Barranca Mesa areas.

Up to 18 inches of snow was reported around Tres Piedras. The heaviest accumulations were above 7500 feet, however, lower elevations still received 3 to 6 inches of snow.

In general, 8 to 16 inches of snow fell across the west slopes of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains. Some reported amounts include 14 inches in Tererro and around 8 inches at Sipapu Ski Area. The heavy snow resulted in one death in the Santa Fe Foothills. Gail Patterson, a 57-year old woman from Dallas, TX was trying to flag down an oncoming vehicle after her own vehicle slid off Atalaya Hill Road, a narrow, steep grade road, into a drainage ditch. The vehicle she was trying to flag down started to slide down the icy road, struck and killed her.

Around 20 inches of snow fell at both Red River Ski Area and Taos Ski Valley.

Around 10 to 20 inches of snow fell across the southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains. Snowfall reports included 20 inches at the Wesner Springs SNOTEL and 12 inches at the Santa Fe Ski area.

Up to one foot of snow was reported across the east slopes of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains. One foot of snow was reported at Sapello, Angel Fire Ski area and 7 miles north of Mora. In addition, the cooperative observer in Eagle Nest reported 10 inches of snow.

Widespread snow amounts of 2 inches or greater coated the northwest highlands. The greatest amounts were near Lindrith, where 8 inches of snow was reported. The heavy snow resulted in one fatality. Jimmy Shendo, of Jemez Pueblo, was driving a Toyota truck southbound on U.S. 550 in southeast San Juan County, when he lost control and slid into the northbound lanes. He was struck by an oncoming vehicle at mile marker 110. Shendo, 59, was not wearing a seatbelt and was partially ejected from the truck.

Snow amounts of 2 to 6 inches were reported across the West Central Plateau. The greatest amounts were found in McKinley County.

Over a foot of snow fell across portions of the West Central Mountains. The hardest hit areas were near El Morro where up to 14 inches of snow was reported. In addition, McGaffey picked up 8 inches of new snow.

Much of the Lower Chama River Valley received between 2 and 6 inches of snowfall. The heaviest accumulations fell northeast of Youngsville, between the Jemez and San Juan Mountains.

Above 6500 feet, between 3 and 6 inches of snow was reported. Strong winds and ice knocked down power lines resulting in power outages to approximately 4800 customers.

Up to a foot of snow fell in blizzard conditions as winds topped out over 100 mph across the peaks of the southwest mountains. The heaviest snowfall occurred in western Catron County near Luna, but the winds blew hard across the entire area. The Magdalena Ridge Observatory at 10,600 feet recorded sustained winds between 80 and 120 mph with gusts to 135 mph before the instrument failed. The wind gusts were literally picking people off their feet. Visibilities were near zero in blowing and drifting snow.

The Interstate 25 corridor between Raton and Watrous picked up 3 to 5 inches of snowfall. Strong winds also created areas of blowing and drifting snow. Southbound Interstate 25 was closed for a few hours to prevent travelers from heading farther south toward Springer, where visibilities were worse.

Light snow began falling the evening of the 7th, but the heavier snow came in the morning of the 8th as a strong cold front plowed from west to east. Blizzard conditions were noted as visibilities dropped to near zero in blowing and drifting snow with winds gusting up to 78 mph. Up to 8 inches of snow fell across the top of the Sandia Mountains.

Light snow began falling the evening of the 7th, but the heavier snow came in the morning of the 8th as a strong cold front plowed from west to east. Blizzard conditions were noted for about 4 hours as visibilities dropped near one quarter of a mile in blowing and drifting snow with wind gusts estimated near 60 mph. Two to 4 inches of snow was reported across the Estancia Valley.

Light snow began falling the evening of the 7th, but the heavier snow came in the morning of the 8th as a strong cold front plowed from west to east. Blizzard conditions were noted for about 4 hours as visibilities dropped near or below one quarter of a mile in blowing and drifting snow with wind gusts up to 65 mph. Two to 5 inches of snow was reported across the Central Highlands, with the heaviest amounts north of Interstate 40.

Light snow began falling the evening of the 7th, but the heavier snow came in the morning of the 8th as a strong cold front swept through the area. Blizzard conditions developed as visibilities were significantly reduced in blowing and drifting snow with wind gusts up to 66 mph. Three to 6 inches of snow was reported across the area with locally higher amounts west of Interstate 25.

Numerous gusts over 60 mph were recorded at Sierra Blanca airport. The peak wind gust of 78 mph was reported at 1035 am. Between 700 am and 800 am trees were downed from the high winds. A few trees fell on and damaged two of the ski lifts at Ski Apache and one of the buildings at Ski Apache had roof damage. The Ski area was closed on the 8th due to the high winds and on the 9th for clean up. In addition, a 125-foot commercial tower on Buck Mountain was toppled by the high winds, causing radio station and other commercial outages.

A sensor on the northern end of White Sands Missile Range, 15 miles east-southeast of San Antonio, recorded a peak wind gust of 61 mph at 1015 am.

A White Sands Missile Range sensor, 35 miles southeast of San Antonio, recorded a peak wind gust of 61 mph at 515 am, and recorded multiple other gusts between 58 and 60 mph from 11 am to 1 pm.

A spotter northeast of Arabela reported estimated wind gusts in excess of 60 mph for much of the morning and early afternoon hours.

The Chupadera RAWS site recorded wind gusts around 60 mph much of the morning through early afternoon. The peak wind gust was 62 mph at 639am. The high winds toppled trees in Spencer Park in Carrizozo and lifted at least two carport roofs from their bases. One of the carport roofs was deposited onto a fence, which was also damaged.

The Dunken RAWS site reported a peak wind gust of 61 mph at 709 am with other gusts to 58 mph later that morning.

The KSRR AWOS measured sustained winds above 40 mph for over an hour and a half. The peak sustained wind speed was 53 mph.

The Roswell ASOS recorded a peak wind gust of 61 mph at 1149 am, however, the strong winds affected the entire area. Not only were 4 power poles broken in Roswell and numerous power lines down, a semi-truck trailer was blown over while parked on the north side of Roswell. The truck was blown into a utility box containing a 12,000 Volt power line. In addition, a roof was torn off an equipment shed approximately 16 miles west of Roswell.

Wind gusts were estimated near 60 mph. This high wind event began as a blizzard which began late on December 7th and ended at 11am on the 8th.

The KCQC measured sustained winds over 40 mph constantly between 11 am and 1245 pm. The sustained winds peaked at 46 mph. This high wind event began as a blizzard which began late on December 7th and ended at 11am on the 8th.

KCQC measured extreme wind gusts constantly between 11 am and 1230 pm. The peak wind gust during this time was 62 mph. This high wind event began as a blizzard which began late on December 7th and ended at 11am on the 8th. The peak wind gust during the blizzard event was 66 mph.

Wind gusts were estimated near 65 mph at the top of Sandia Peak. This high wind event began as a blizzard which began late on December 7th and ended at 11am on the 8th. The peak wind gust during the blizzard event was 78 mph.

Wind gusts near 60 mph were estimated across the county.

The cooperative observer at Conchas Dam estimated winds of 60 mph, which broke 8 inch diameter tree limbs across the area.

A peak wind gust of 67 mph was recorded at Lake Sumner Village between 120 and 130 pm.

Two KVII Amarillo Schoolnet sites recorded peak wind gusts over 60 mph. The Schoolnet site at Frost Ranch, approximately 9 miles east-northeast of Wheatland, recorded a 65 mph gust, while the Logan Schoolnet site recorded a 62 mph gust. In addition, the Tucumcari ASOS measured a 62 mph wind gust.

The Clovis AWOS recorded a peak wind gust of 66 mph at 135 pm. In addition, the KCVS ASOS recorded a peak wind gust of 60 mph and a Schoolnet site north of Clovis recorded a 62 mph wind gust. The strong wind toppled power lines and a power pole fell on the old Pizza Hut building on West Seventh Street. Other damage included roof coverings from two garages blown off and a storage barn wall was blown down.

The West Texas Mesonet sensor near Dora recorded a peak wind gust of 63 mph at both 105 and 110 pm, though severe gusts were recorded frequently for over an hour. Other severe wind gusts between 59 and 61 mph were recorded at Melrose, Elida and Portales by Schoolnet and RAWS sites.

The Mills Canyon RAWS site recorded a peak wind gust of 59 mph at 205 pm.