Ice Storm and Winter Storm in New Mexico, November 21 to 25, 2013

Name: Ice Storm and Winter Storm in New Mexico, November 21 to 25, 2013
Start: 2013-11-21T17:00
End: 2013-11-25T12:00
Location: New Mexico

November 21 to 25, 2013 · NWS ABQ · 31 events in 24 counties and zones

The toll

Deaths: 1
Injuries: 2
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 31

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS ABQ wrote it up.

An arctic cold front pushed south across the eastern plains and through the central mountain chain and Rio Grande Valley late on the 21st through the 22nd. Record to near record cold temperatures moved into the area with this arctic air mass. Strong gap winds developed below canyons in the Rio Grande Valley where gusts near 50 mph were common for several days from Albuquerque south to Socorro and Carrizozo. Meanwhile, an unseasonably strong, slow-moving upper level low pressure system over southern California provided a deep tap of abundant moisture over New Mexico. The combination of very cold air at the surface and a slow-moving surge of moisture over the area provided an extended duration of winter weather over the region. Widespread impacts to travel were reported with several accidents and road closures across the area. A 4-year old girl was killed in a roll over accident on Highway 70 in Chaves county.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Albuquerque, NM wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Nov 21, 4:56 PM MST, 4 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Nov 21, 4:56 PM MST, 4 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Nov 21, 5:51 AM MST, 11 hours 9 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM
551 AM MST THU NOV 21 2013

NMZ501>540-221300-
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-
551 AM MST THU NOV 21 2013

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH
WILL DEVELOP OVER THE EASTERN PLAINS THIS EVENING AS A POTENT
COLD FRONT SHIFTS SOUTHWEST ACROSS THE AREA. THE FRONT WILL THEN
MOVE WEST THROUGH THE CENTRAL MOUNTAIN CHAIN AND PRODUCE EASTERLY
WINDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH BELOW CANYONS IN THE
RIO GRANDE VALLEY TONIGHT.

A MIXTURE OF FREEZING DRIZZLE...FREEZING RAIN...SLEET...AND SNOW
WILL DEVELOP OVER THE NORTHEAST PLAINS AND HIGHLANDS THIS EVENING
WITH LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS OF SLUSH AND ICE EXPECTED. SEVERAL INCHES
OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT OVER THE NORTHERN HIGH TERRAIN ABOVE
8000 FEET.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

GUSTY EASTERLY WINDS WILL CONTINUE BELOW CANYONS IN THE RIO GRANDE
FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT WHERE GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE. NORTH
WINDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WILL BEGIN TO TAPER OFF OVER THE EASTERN
PLAINS LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

A ONE-TWO PUNCH OF WINTER WEATHER WILL DELIVER SIGNIFICANT SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS OVER THE NORTHERN AND WESTERN HIGH TERRAIN FRIDAY
THROUGH MONDAY. LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS MAY ALSO IMPACT LOWER TERRAIN
AREAS INCLUDING THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY BY SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY.
SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATIONS OF FREEZING RAIN...SLEET...AND SNOW ARE
ALSO EXPECTED TO IMPACT THE EASTERN PLAINS AGAIN SATURDAY NIGHT
THROUGH EARLY MONDAY.

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

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SNOWFALL AMOUNTS THROUGH THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE WEB SITE AT WEATHER.GOV/ABQ
OR BY CALLING 1.888.386.7637.

GUYER

Event by event

23 heavy snow, 3 winter storm, 3 ice storm, 1 winter weather, 1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, Raton Ridge/Johnson Mesa

When: November 21, 5:00 PM MST to November 25, 12:00 PM MST
Where: Raton Ridge/Johnson Mesa forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways

Storm total snowfall amounts ranging from 3 to 6 inches were reported by COOP, trained spotters, and NMDOT. The highest amounts and greatest impacts occurred along Interstate 25 at Raton Pass and highways 72 and 64 where severe driving conditions were reported. Strong gusty winds near 50 mph also impacted this area with areas of blowing and drifting snowfall.

Heavy Snow, San Juan Mountains

When: November 21, 6:00 PM MST to November 25, 12:00 AM MST
Where: San Juan Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm total snowfall amounts ranging from 2 to 16 inches were reported by COOP and SNOTELs. The highest amounts and greatest impacts occurred along and east of the Highway 285 corridor including Chama and Tierra Amarilla.

Heavy Snow, Jemez Mountains

When: November 21, 6:00 PM MST to November 25, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Jemez Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Storm total snowfall amounts ranging from 2 to 13 inches were reported by COOP, CoCoRaHS, SNOTEL, trained spotters, law enforcement, and the public. The highest amounts and greatest impacts occurred along the south and east facing aspects of the Jemez Mountains.

Heavy Snow, West Slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains

When: November 21, 6:00 PM MST to November 25, 4:00 AM MST
Where: West Slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Storm total snowfall amounts ranging from 7 to 13 inches were reported by CoCoRaHS, SNOTEL, and the public. Numerous locations within this area reported difficult to severe driving conditions.

Heavy Snow, Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Above 9500 Feet/Red River

When: November 21, 6:00 PM MST to November 25, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Above 9500 Feet/Red River forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Storm total snowfall amounts ranging from 8 to 26 inches were reported by COOP, SNOTEL, and the public. Difficult to severe driving conditions were reported across most of this area for a couple days.

Heavy Snow, Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Above 9500 Feet

When: November 21, 6:00 PM MST to November 25, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Above 9500 Feet forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Storm total snowfall amounts ranging from 13 to 20 inches were reported by SNOTELs and the public. Difficult to severe driving conditions were reported along Hyde Park Road.

Heavy Snow, Far Northeast Highlands

When: November 21, 6:00 PM MST to November 25, 4:00 AM MST
Where: Far Northeast Highlands forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm total snowfall amounts ranging from 3 to 7 inches were reported. Difficult to severe driving conditions were reported along Interstate 25. Strong gusty winds near 50 mph also impacted this area with areas of blowing and drifting snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Northeast Highlands

When: November 21, 6:00 PM MST to November 25, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Northeast Highlands forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Storm total snowfall amounts ranging from 6 to 8 inches were reported by trained spotters, ASOS, CoCoRaHS, and the public. Difficult to severe driving conditions were reported along Interstate 25. Strong gusty winds near 50 mph also impacted this area with areas of blowing and drifting snowfall.

Winter Storm, Union County

When: November 21, 6:00 PM MST to November 25, 2:00 AM MST
Where: Union County forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm total snow and sleet amounts of 2 to 5 inches were reported by COOP, CoCoRaHS, and trained spotters. Difficult to severe driving conditions were reported as gusty north winds up to 50 mph combined with the snow to produce blowing and drifting snowfall. Light accumulations of freezing rain were also reported across the area with this storm.

Winter Storm, Harding County

When: November 21, 6:00 PM MST to November 25, 6:00 AM MST
Where: Harding County forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Storm total snow and sleet amounts of 2 to 5 inches were reported. Difficult driving conditions were reported as gusty north winds up to 50 mph combined with the snow to produce blowing and drifting snowfall. Light accumulations of freezing rain were also reported across the area with this storm.

Winter Storm, Eastern San Miguel County

When: November 21, 7:00 PM MST to November 25, 6:00 AM MST
Where: Eastern San Miguel County forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Storm total snow and sleet amounts of 3 to 6 inches were reported. Difficult driving conditions were reported as gusty north winds up to 50 mph combined with the snow to produce blowing and drifting snowfall. Light accumulations of freezing rain were also reported across the area with this storm.

Winter Weather, Chaves County Plains

When: November 22, 12:00 AM MST to November 23, 12:00 PM MST
Where: Chaves County Plains forecast zone
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media

The combination of light accumulations of snow, sleet, and freezing rain with gusty winds and reduced visibilities impacted the region. Difficult driving conditions were reported across the area. A 4-old girl died and 2 adults injured when their vehicle rolled over on Highway 70 10 miles southwest of Elida. The young girl was asleep in the back seat without a seat belt. Two adults wearing seat belts in the front of the vehicle suffered minor injuries.

High Wind, Lower Rio Grande Valley

When: November 22, 9:00 AM MST to 1:00 PM MST
Where: Lower Rio Grande Valley forecast zone
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High winds were suspected in a train derailment below Abo Pass near Highway 47 and 60 between mid morning and early afternoon on the 22nd. No hazardous impacts were reported from this incident. Details on the exact location, amount of cars derailed, and contents were unspecific.

Ice Storm, Chaves County Plains

When: November 22, 6:00 PM MST to November 23, 10:00 AM MST
Where: Chaves County Plains forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters across eastern Chaves county reported significant accumulations of freezing rain with treacherous travel conditions. Numerous accidents were reported.

Ice Storm, Roosevelt County

When: November 22, 6:00 PM MST to November 23, 12:00 PM MST
Where: Roosevelt County forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters across Roosevelt county in the vicinity of Dora and Milnesand reported one quarter to one half inch of ice accumulation across the area with extremely treacherous travel conditions.

Ice Storm, Central Highlands

When: November 22, 6:00 PM MST to November 23, 12:00 PM MST
Where: Central Highlands forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotter reported a lengthy duration of freezing ice accumulating to a total of one quarter inch before snowfall began over the area.

Heavy Snow, Northwest Highlands

When: November 23, 9:00 AM MST to November 24, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Northwest Highlands forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Storm total snowfall amounts of 1 to 6 inches were reported across this area by trained spotters, COOP, and the public. Difficult driving conditions were reported.

Heavy Snow, West Central Highlands

When: November 23, 9:00 AM MST to November 24, 8:00 PM MST
Where: West Central Highlands forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Storm total snowfall amounts of 2 to 7 inches were reported across this area by CoCoRaHS, trained spotters, COOP, and law enforcement. Severe driving conditions were reported along state road 53 where several cars slid off the road near the Ice Caves. A shelter was set up at Laguna with a few residents checked in.

Heavy Snow, West Central Plateau

When: November 23, 9:00 AM MST to November 24, 8:00 PM MST
Where: West Central Plateau forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm total snowfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches were reported around Gallup.

Heavy Snow, West Central Highlands

When: November 23, 9:00 AM MST to November 24, 8:00 PM MST
Where: West Central Highlands forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL

Storm total snowfall amounts of 2 to 11 inches were reported across this area by CoCoRaHS, trained spotters, COOP, amateur radio, and the public. The greatest impacts occurred around Luna.

Heavy Snow, Central Highlands

When: November 23, 12:00 PM MST to November 24, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Central Highlands forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Department of Highways

Interstate 40 was closed near Clines Corners due to a downed power line from the weight of ice and gusty winds. Highway 285 was also closed from Clines Corners all the way southeast to Roswell due to extremely severe driving conditions in snow and blowing snow.

Heavy Snow, Quay County

When: November 23, 12:00 PM MST to November 25, 7:00 AM MST
Where: Quay County forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Storm total snowfall accumulation of 2 to 8 inches was reported by CoCoRaHS, COOP, and social media sources. Difficult driving conditions were reported in snow and blowing snow.

Heavy Snow, Guadalupe County

When: November 23, 12:00 PM MST to November 25, 7:00 AM MST
Where: Guadalupe County forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Storm total snowfall accumulation of 4 to 6 inches was reported by trained spotters, COOP, and emergency management. Difficult driving conditions were reported in snow and blowing snow.

Heavy Snow, Curry County

When: November 23, 12:00 PM MST to November 25, 8:00 AM MST
Where: Curry County forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Storm total snowfall accumulation of 6 to 8 inches was reported by CoCoRaHS, trained spotters, COOP, and emergency management. The combination of gusty winds and snow created snow drifts up to 16 inches deep. Difficult to severe driving conditions were reported in snow and blowing snow.

Heavy Snow, Roosevelt County

When: November 23, 12:00 PM MST to November 25, 8:00 AM MST
Where: Roosevelt County forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm total snowfall accumulation of 6 to 8 inches was reported by trained spotters, COOP, and the public. The combination of gusty winds and snow created snow drifts up to 16 inches deep. Difficult to severe driving conditions were reported in snow and blowing snow.

Heavy Snow, Chaves County Plains

When: November 23, 12:00 PM MST to November 25, 8:00 AM MST
Where: Chaves County Plains forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Storm total snowfall accumulation of 4 to 5 inches was reported by trained spotters, COOP, and the public. Difficult to severe driving conditions were reported in snow and blowing snow. Highway 285 was closed from Roswell to Clines Corners.

Heavy Snow, De Baca County

When: November 23, 12:00 PM MST to November 25, 8:00 AM MST
Where: De Baca County forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm total snowfall accumulation of 2 to 4 inches was reported by trained spotters and COOP. Difficult driving conditions were reported in snow and blowing snow.

Heavy Snow, Lower Rio Grande Valley

When: November 23, 7:00 PM MST to November 24, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Lower Rio Grande Valley forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Storm total snowfall accumulations around 4 inches were reported in a sharp band that stretched across central Socorro county. The greatest impacts occurred along Highway 180 near San Antonio.

Heavy Snow, Sandia/Manzano Mountains

When: November 23, 10:00 PM MST to November 24, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Sandia/Manzano Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Storm total snowfall amounts of 8 to 10 inches were reported across this area by CoCoRaHS, trained spotters, COOP, and the public. Severe driving conditions and numerous accidents were reported.

Heavy Snow, Sandia/Manzano Mountains

When: November 23, 10:00 PM MST to November 24, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Sandia/Manzano Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Storm total snowfall amounts of 8 to 10 inches were reported across this area by CoCoRaHS, trained spotters, COOP, and the public. Severe driving conditions were reported.

Heavy Snow, Estancia Valley

When: November 23, 10:00 PM MST to November 24, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Estancia Valley forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Storm total snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches were reported across this area by CoCoRaHS, trained spotters, COOP, and the public. Severe driving conditions were reported.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Winter Weather, Chaves County Plains	2013-11-22	4	Female	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct

What these are

Heavy Snow: Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.
Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Winter Weather: Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Ice Storm: Freezing rain accumulating a quarter inch or more of ice, or less where it caused significant damage.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in New Mexico in 2013 Every state in 2013 This day in weather history Warnings in New Mexico, November 2013

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 478861, 478854, 478855, 478858, 478859, 478860, 478955, 478956, 478957, 478958, 478959, 478960, 479383, 479028, 479029, 479039, 479031, 479047, 479048, 479049, 479035, 479041, 479042, 479043, 479044, 479045, 479046, 479036, 479032, 479033, 479034.