A record setting moisture tap surging into New Mexico from the subtropical Pacific Ocean set the stage for heavy wet snow in the higher terrain. Snow developed over the higher terrain of western New Mexico during the late afternoon of February 14, 2019 before spreading into the high terrain of northern New Mexico through the early morning hours of February 15th.
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.
A record setting moisture tap surging into New Mexico from the subtropical Pacific Ocean set the stage for heavy wet snow in the higher terrain. Snow developed over the higher terrain of western New Mexico during the late afternoon of February 14, 2019 before spreading into the high terrain of northern New Mexico through the early morning hours of February 15th. Snow levels ranged from near 7,500 feet within the San Juan/Tusas Mountains to over 8,500 feet in the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo mountains. The heaviest snowfall impacted the area around Chama where 10 to 14 inches was common. Lighter snowfall amounts of four to eight inches in the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo mountains were accompanied by high wind speeds of 60 to 70 mph with whiteout conditions.
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 Feb 14, 12:07 PM MST, 53 minutes earlier.
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</html>Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 448 AM MST Thu Feb 14 2019 NMZ501>540-151200- 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- 448 AM MST Thu Feb 14 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight An upper level trough with a rich tap of Pacific moisture will cross from the west today through tonight. Wetting precipitation is expected along and west of the central mountain chain with a few to several inches of snow possible in the northern mountains, and a few inches across the upper Rio Grande Valley and far northwest highlands near and above 8,000 feet. Snow amounts over 10 inches will be possible in the Tusas Mountains and on higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where snow drifts may exceed 3 feet. The heaviest snow will fall tonight, with lighter amounts on Friday morning. In addition, southwest wind gusts should exceed 50 mph on mountain peaks tonight, then shift out of the west while continuing Friday. Although additional snow accumulation will be light Friday morning, periods of whiteout conditions are expected in the northern mountains above 8,000 feet due to blowing snow. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Friday, west wind gusts over 50 mph will be possible in the mountains and across the east central plains. Periods of whiteout conditions will be possible in the northern mountains above 8,000 feet during the morning. Saturday, another strong wind event will be possible east of the Continental Divide where gusts from 40 to 50 mph are expected. The strongest winds should impact the central mountain chain and east central plains, where gusts may exceed 55 mph. Sunday night through Monday night, models are in fairly good agreement on an upper level low pressure system crossing from the west with the potential for widespread and potentially heavy snow accumulation. A back door cold front is forecast to arrive just before the upper level storm does, delivering cold air and moist easterly upslope flow to the eastern plains. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report snowfall amounts and wind damage through the National Weather Service Albuquerque web site at weather.gov/abq or by calling 1.888.386.7637. 44
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</html>3 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
Various observations in the area from Canjilon to Tierra Amarilla and Chama reported six to 14 inches of snow along with gusty winds, low visibility, and difficult travel conditions.
Various observations in the area from around the Valles Caldera to Los Alamos reported three to six inches of snow along with high wind gusts up to 59 mph, low visibility, and difficult travel conditions.
Various observations in the area around Red River and Taos Ski Valley reported six to nine inches of snow along with low visibility and difficult travel conditions. A peak wind gust up to 77 mph was reported at Taos Ski Valley.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, February 2019
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: 797755, 797756, 797757.