An upper level wave gathering strength over the Great Basin deepened into an upper low over northern NM then ejected quickly eastward into the Great Plains. Rain and high terrain snow showers spread over northern and central New Mexico ahead of a potent cold front arriving from the north and west.
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.
The episode as NWS ABQ wrote it up.
An upper level wave gathering strength over the Great Basin deepened into an upper low over northern NM then ejected quickly eastward into the Great Plains. Rain and high terrain snow showers spread over northern and central New Mexico ahead of a potent cold front arriving from the north and west. Rain changed to snow north of the Interstate 40 corridor as colder air surged into the region. Heavy snowfall amounts were reported over portions of the northern mountains and across much of far northeastern New Mexico. Strong winds combined with the snow created areas of blowing snow with reduced visibility. Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 10 inches with locally higher amounts near the Colorado border. Winds north and northwest became strong across portions of the area as the storm system departed the state. Wind gusts between 60 and 70 mph were reported from near Clines Corners south to Roswell. Several roads were closed across Union and Colfax counties, including U.S. 64/87.
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 Apr 3, 5:06 PM MST, 54 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 606 PM MDT Mon Apr 3 2017 .AVIATION... 00Z TAF CYCLE A vigorous upper level trough will deepen into a low pressure system as it crosses northern NM tonight and Tuesday. Meanwhile, a gusty Pacific cold front will cross western and southern areas, and a gusty back door cold front will plunge into northeast and east central areas. The Pacific front will usher strong west and northwest winds to central and western areas tonight with MVFR/IFR conditions in rain and snow as the freezing level gradually lowers between 5500-6300 feet there. In the wake of the Pacific front, precipitation is forecast to taper off quickly out west. Similarly, the back door cold front will bring gusty north and northeast winds with MVFR/IFR conditions and a wintry mix of precip to northeast areas tonight, then to east central areas as well on Tuesday. However, precipitation is forecast to persist through the day across the northern and central mountains and east central/northeast areas on Tuesday. Snow levels in the east will only drop between 6500-8500 feet tonight, then between 4500-6500 feet on Tuesday. 44 && .PREV DISCUSSION...330 PM MDT Mon Apr 3 2017... .SYNOPSIS... One more weather system tonight and Tuesday stands in the way of a significant warming trend starting Wednesday. But first, rain and high terrain snow will increase in coverage over northern NM this evening then spread into northeastern NM through Tuesday morning. Significant snow accumulations are likely within the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and along the Raton Ridge. Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are in effect. A potent cold front will race through NM late Tuesday morning and generate strong north to northwest winds over much of the area. High wind warnings and wind advisories are also in effect. A widespread hard freeze will impact nearly all of northern and central NM Tuesday night. Folks with spring gardening interests and blooming fruit trees will want to take precautions to protect vegetation. A significant warming trend will begin Wednesday then continue through the weekend with highs peaking into the 70s and 80s. && .DISCUSSION... A baroclinic zone developing over northern AZ will translate east and strengthen tonight as a potent upper jet streak moves southeast into the Great Basin. Rain and high terrain snow showers already developing along and north of the I-40 corridor today will continue into tonight. 850-650mb layer frontogenesis is impressive along the Pacific cold front within western NM overnight. Rain, snow, and even some storms are expected to form along this boundary as it races southeast into the Rio Grande Valley through sunrise. The upper wave will then deepen into a closed low over northeast NM Tuesday morning while a potent back door cold front races south across the plains. The main area for locally heavy snow will focus from the Sangre de Cristo Mts along the Raton Ridge into Union County. An area of snow is also expected along the western edge of the upper wave where a deformation zone develops from the San Juan and Jemez Mts toward the southern end of the Sangres thru Tuesday afternoon. Upgraded winter storm watches for many northern zones and spread advisories into adjacent highlands. Strong north to northwest winds will also be an issue as the storm system translates east into the Great Plains. The typical area for high winds in northwest flow will occur from near Clines Corners across the Caprock. Would not be surprised to see a few other areas peak at high wind for an hour or so from Farmington to ABQ and near Roswell. Much colder air will filter into the area behind this wave with a widespread hard freeze likely for areas that have not seen one since early March. Those with spring gardening interests and blooming fruit trees will want to take precautions to protect from damage. Wednesday will be a transition day with temps moderating 5 to 10 degrees over Tuesday under sunny skies. Much warmer temperatures develop Thursday as a shortwave ridge crests over NM. Temperatures will warm into the 70s and 80s over much of the region with winds increasing each afternoon through the weekend. Guyer && .FIRE WEATHER... As a cold upper level trough approaches the area from the northwest this evening , scattered showers and mountain showers along with a few thunderstorms will continue tonight across the northern third of the state. As the trough moves east of the southern Rockies late tonight, it will strengthen and result significant snowfall late tonight into Tuesday across the Tusas and Sangre de Cristo mountains as well as the Raton Ridge/Johnson Mesa area. Colder air will spread into the state Tuesday, born on strong northwest winds. High temperatures on Tuesday will range from 10 to 20 degrees below seasonal averages. Very strong west and northwest winds are likely Tuesday across the central highlands and in Curry and Roosevelt counties where an associated backdoor cold front plows southward through the eastern plains. While localized critical fire weather conditions could develop Tuesday afternoon over the middle Rio Grande Valley, temperatures will fall through the afternoon, remaining around 15 degrees below average levels for the date. Ventilation rates Tuesday will range from very good to excellent. Dry northwest flow aloft moves in for Wednesday, keeping temperatures below average. An upper level ridge builds in from the west Thursday, resulting in dry conditions and above average high temps. Vent rates will decrease to the poor to fair category Wednesday, increasing Thursday. Westerly breezes increase Friday, ahead of an upper level low moving ashore over the Pacific Northwest. Models agree that the weekend looks windy and mostly dry as a strong trough moves eastward through the northern and central Rockies. 33 && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory from 6 AM to 6 PM MDT Tuesday for the following zones... NMZ501-504-506>508-519>522-524>526-533-534-537>540. High Wind Warning from 6 AM to 6 PM MDT Tuesday for the following zones... NMZ523-535-536. Winter Weather Advisory from 6 AM to 10 PM MDT Tuesday for the following zones... NMZ528-530. Winter Storm Warning from midnight tonight to 10 PM MDT Tuesday for the following zones... NMZ510-512>515-527. Winter Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to 10 PM MDT Tuesday for the following zones... NMZ511-516. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 401 AM MDT Mon Apr 3 2017 NMZ501>540-041100- 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 Cristos above 9500 feet/Red River- Southern Sangre de Cristos above 9500 feet- East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains-Upper Rio Grande Valley- Lower Chama River Valley-Santa Fe Metro Area- Middle Rio Grande Valley/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- 401 AM MDT Mon Apr 3 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Colder air will begin to filter into the area tonight which will allow snow to develop across portions of northern New Mexico. Snow will become heavier into Tuesday. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Significant snow accumulations are expected for the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo Mountains as well as near the Colorado border across northeast New Mexico through Tuesday evening. Snowfall rates are expected to be high Tuesday morning which may quickly deteriorate roadways, including I-25 near Raton Pass. In addition to the snow, strong to potentially damaging winds will also return on Tuesday across portions of central and eastern New Mexico. Gusts between 50 and 60 mph are possible. Critical fire weather conditions are also possible across Chaves and eastern Lincoln counties Tuesday afternoon. After the system exits the state Tuesday night, widespread freezing temperatures are expected Wednesday morning. A hard freeze is possible for much of central and western New Mexico, including the Santa Fe Metro area and the Albuquerque Valley. Critical fire weather conditions may return across portions of central and eastern New Mexico over the weekend due to strong winds and low humidity. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to submit reports through the National Weather Service Albuquerque web site at weather.gov/abq or by calling 1.888.386.7637. You can also submit storm reports and photos on our Facebook page or via Twitter using the hashtag nmwx. 34
6 high wind, 4 heavy snow, 3 winter storm, 1 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 5 inches in Jemez Springs to 10 inches near Seven Springs. The Los Alamos area picked up 2 to 4 inches as well.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 10 inches in the area from Red River to the Shuree SNOTEL. Difficult travel was reported across this area mainly during the morning hours.
Snowfall amounts along the east slope of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains ranged from around 5 inches in Mineral Hill to 14 inches in Angel Fire and 6 inches around Ute Park. A band of snowfall that set up during the evening hours of the 4th produced snowfall rates of 2 inches per hour. Difficult travel conditions were reported.
Snowfall amounts along the western slope of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains ranged from 6 inches near Questa to 10 inches near Shady Brook. Difficult travel conditions were reported through this region mainly in the morning hours.
A solid swath of snowfall amounts near 6 inches were reported from Raton Pass to Capulin. State Road 72 and U.S. Highway 64/87 were closed for nearly 24 hours from icy travel and blowing snow.
The combination of 2 to 3 inches of wet snow followed by strong winds in the Farmington area resulted in several downed tree limbs and power lines. Many utility customers were without power throughout the day on the 4th. Damages to power lines have been estimated.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 3 inches in Raton to as much as 8 inches around Springer. Difficult travel conditions were reported mainly during the morning hours.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 6 inches in the area from Des Moines to Clayton. U.S. Highway 64/87 was closed for nearly 24 hours due to icy travel with blowing snow. The 5.5 inches of snow at Clayton on April 4th was the largest 24-hour total of the 2016-2017 winter season and a new record for the date.
Roswell Industrial Airpark reported high sustained winds over 40 mph periodically for almost 10 hours. A peak wind gust of 61 mph was also reported.
Harvey Ranch.
Dunken.
Buck Springs reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 62 mph for several hours.
CSBF Transwestern Pump station.
Dora.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, April 2017
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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 678611, 678613, 678614, 678612, 678615, 679322, 678616, 678617, 678341, 678345, 678342, 678344, 678347, 678337.