Blizzard and Winter Storm in New Mexico, October 25 to 28, 2020

Name: Blizzard and Winter Storm in New Mexico, October 25 to 28, 2020
Start: 2020-10-25T10:28
End: 2020-10-28T21:00
Location: New Mexico

October 25 to 28, 2020 · NWS ABQ · 38 events in 32 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 38 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $201,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 38

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.

A powerful cold front surged southwest through eastern New Mexico on October 25, 2020 in advance of a potent upper level storm system approaching from the west. A record cold airmass over eastern New Mexico shifted west through the central mountain chain while precipitation began developing northward over central and western New Mexico early on the 26th. Precipitation changed over to all snow and several heavy snow bands impacted northern and western NM through the 27th. Areas along and west of the central mountain chain picked up eight to 16 inches of snow with up to 22 inches in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The Albuquerque metro area even picked up between five and 10 inches of snow with well over 100 vehicle accidents reported. A second round of heavy snow developed along the central mountain chain into eastern New Mexico from late on the 27th into the 28th. Blizzard conditions were reported over parts of northeast NM with 12 to 20 inches of snow, strong north winds, drifts of one to four feet, severe travel conditions, and road closures. Warmer air began filtering into the area by late on the 28th resulting in a mixture of rain and snow. Dozens of record low maximum and record low minimum temperatures were broken. Record daily snowfall records were also set for the month of October.

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 Oct 25, 5:04 AM MST, 5 hours 24 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 25, 5:04 AM MST, 5 hours 24 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Oct 25, 3:10 AM MST, 7 hours 18 minutes before

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The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

23 heavy snow, 8 winter storm, 5 blizzard, 2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, South Central Mountains

When: October 25, 10:28 AM MST to 10:30 AM MST
Where: South Central Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 33.745, -105.459 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong southwest winds in advance of an approaching storm system downed a 30 inch diameter tree near Ruidoso. A set of power lines was also damaged as the tree fell. Damages are estimated for a short section of power lines.

High Wind, Northwest Plateau

When: October 25, 3:25 PM MST to 5:00 PM MST
Where: Northwest Plateau forecast zone
Measured: 62 kt (71 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 36.045, -108.291 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The combination of strong southwest winds aloft and virga showers developing ahead of an approaching storm system resulted in high winds at the Farmington airport. Peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 71 mph occurred with several of these virga showers.

Heavy Snow, Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains

When: October 25, 4:00 PM MST to October 28, 4:00 AM MST
Where: Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.592, -105.139 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations reported between one and two feet of snow in the area around Taos Ski Valley and Red River. The 12.6 inches reported at Red River on October 26th set a new daily record.

Heavy Snow, East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains

When: October 25, 4:00 PM MST to October 28, 4:00 AM MST
Where: East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 36.032, -104.803 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations reported between six and 14 inches of snow in the area from Mora to Angel Fire and Eagle Nest. The 14 inches reported at Eagle Nest on October 26th set a new daily record and the storm total of 20 inches set a new monthly record snowfall for October. Records at Eagle Nest date back to 1929.

Heavy Snow, Union County

When: October 25, 5:00 PM MST to October 28, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Union County forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 36.482, -103.471 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations across Union County reported between eight and 12 inches of snow. Three consecutive daily snowfall records were set at Clayton on the 26th, 27th, and 28th. The storm total snowfall of 12.2 inches set a new record snowfall for the month of October at Clayton. Blizzard-like conditions began on the morning of the 28th as strong north winds produced considerable blowing and drifting snow.

Heavy Snow, Glorieta Mesa Including Glorieta Pass

When: October 25, 6:00 PM MST to October 28, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Glorieta Mesa Including Glorieta Pass forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.494, -105.396 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall amounts ranged from eight to 16 inches in the area from near Glorieta to Rowe.

Heavy Snow, Harding County

When: October 25, 6:00 PM MST to October 28, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Harding County forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.858, -103.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations across Harding County reported between eight and 16 inches of snow. Blizzard-like conditions began on the morning of the 28th as strong north winds produced considerable blowing and drifting snow.

Heavy Snow, Eastern San Miguel County

When: October 25, 6:00 PM MST to October 28, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Eastern San Miguel County forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.480, -104.816 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations across eastern San Miguel County reported between 10 and 20 inches of snow. Blizzard-like conditions began on the morning of the 28th as strong north winds produced considerable blowing and drifting snow. Conchas Dam and Mosquero reported two daily record snowfalls on the 27th and 28th. The 12.5 inches storm total at Conchas Dam set a new record monthly snowfall for October.

Heavy Snow, Quay County

When: October 25, 7:00 PM MST to October 28, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Quay County forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.104, -103.550 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations across Quay County reported between eight and 16 inches of snow. Blizzard-like conditions began on the morning of the 28th as strong north winds produced considerable blowing and drifting snow. Severe travel conditions were reported along Interstate 40 near Tucumcari.

Winter Storm, Far Northeast Highlands

When: October 25, 8:00 PM MST to October 28, 8:00 AM MST
Where: Far Northeast Highlands forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 36.308, -104.796 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations reported between three and six inches of snow along the Interstate 25 corridor from Raton south to Springer. Blizzard-like conditions began on the morning of the 28th as strong north winds resulted in blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm, Northeast Highlands

When: October 25, 8:00 PM MST to October 28, 2:00 PM MST
Where: Northeast Highlands forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.480, -104.816 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall amounts between four and eight inches were reported around Las Vegas.

Winter Storm, Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass

When: October 25, 9:00 PM MST to October 28, 9:00 PM MST
Where: Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 36.544, -104.059 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations reported between four and seven inches of snow from near Raton Pass to Capulin and Folsom. Areas much farther west toward Vermejo Park reported locally higher snowfall amounts in excess of 18 inches. Gusty north winds resulted in some areas of blowing and drifting snow with reduced visibility on the morning of the 28th.

Heavy Snow, Guadalupe County

When: October 25, 9:00 PM MST to October 28, 2:00 PM MST
Where: Guadalupe County forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 34.863, -104.791 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations within Guadalupe County reported between six and 12 inches of snowfall. Gusty north winds resulted in some blowing and drifting snow with difficult travel conditions along Interstate 40.

Heavy Snow, De Baca County

When: October 25, 9:00 PM MST to October 28, 2:00 PM MST
Where: De Baca County forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 34.342, -104.412 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations within De Baca County reported from eight to 12 inches of snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Tusas Mountains Including Chama

When: October 25, 10:00 PM MST to October 27, 12:00 PM MST
Where: Tusas Mountains Including Chama forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.544, -106.162 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations within the Tusas Mountains reported snowfall amounts between 10 and 20 inches with very low visibility in heavy snow. Chama reported between five and seven inches with this storm system.

Heavy Snow, Jemez Mountains

When: October 25, 10:00 PM MST to October 28, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Jemez Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 36.023, -106.622 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations within the Jemez Mountains reported snowfall amounts of one to two feet with intense snowfall rates. The 21 inches at Wolf Canyon on October 26th set a new daily record and the storm total of 23 inches set a new monthly record snowfall for October. Records at Wolf Canyon date back to 1912.

Winter Storm, Central Highlands

When: October 25, 10:00 PM MST to October 28, 2:00 AM MST
Where: Central Highlands forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.209, -105.548 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall amounts of three to six inches were reported along the U.S. Highway 285 corridor from Encino to Clines Corners along with low visibility and gusty winds.

Heavy Snow, Santa Fe Metro Area

When: October 26, 12:00 AM MST to October 28, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Santa Fe Metro Area forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.416, -106.504 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations around Santa Fe reported between four and seven inches of snowfall.

Winter Storm, South Central Highlands

When: October 26, 12:00 AM MST to October 28, 3:00 AM MST
Where: South Central Highlands forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 34.277, -106.262 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall amounts of three to six inches were reported in the area from near Mountainair to near Corona.

Winter Storm, Roosevelt County

When: October 26, 12:00 AM MST to October 28, 12:00 PM MST
Where: Roosevelt County forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.021, -103.480 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall amounts ranged from two to four inches around Roosevelt County. Some freezing rain was reported at the onset of the storm.

Heavy Snow, Eastern Lincoln County

When: October 26, 12:00 AM MST to October 28, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Eastern Lincoln County forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 33.745, -105.459 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall amounts around eastern Lincoln County ranged from four to eight inches.

Heavy Snow, Upper Rio Grande Valley

When: October 26, 1:00 AM MST to October 28, 4:00 AM MST
Where: Upper Rio Grande Valley forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 36.544, -106.162 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations around Taos reported between eight and 14 inches of snowfall.

Winter Storm, South Central Mountains

When: October 26, 1:00 AM MST to October 28, 1:00 AM MST
Where: South Central Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 33.745, -105.459 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations across the Ruidoso area reported between five and 10 inches of snow. A brief period of freezing rain was also reported toward the start of the storm.

Heavy Snow, Northwest Highlands

When: October 26, 2:00 AM MST to October 27, 2:00 PM MST
Where: Northwest Highlands forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 36.072, -107.535 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall amounts of six to 11 inches were reported in the area from Cuba to Torreon Navajo Mission. Low visibility and hazardous travel conditions occurred along U.S. Highway 550.

Heavy Snow, Chaves County Plains

When: October 26, 2:00 AM MST to October 28, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Chaves County Plains forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 33.363, -104.467 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall amounts around Chaves County ranged from two to eight inches. The heaviest snow fell on the north side of Roswell. The 4.6 inches of snow at the Roswell airport on the 27th set a new daily record and the storm total of 4.9 inches set a new monthly record for October.

Heavy Snow, Espanola Valley

When: October 26, 3:00 AM MST to October 28, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Espanola Valley forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 36.198, -106.100 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations around Espanola reported between three and five inches of snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Southwest Chaves County

When: October 26, 5:00 AM MST to October 28, 3:00 AM MST
Where: Southwest Chaves County forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 33.363, -104.467 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall amounts around Elk and Dunken ranged from three to seven inches.

Heavy Snow, Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area

When: October 26, 6:00 AM MST to October 28, 3:00 AM MST
Where: Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area forecast zone
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.002, -106.839 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations across the Albuquerque metro area reported between four and 12 inches of snow with low visibility and severe travel conditions. Strong gap winds with gusts up to 58 mph at the Sunport resulted in a well-defined convergence band on the west side where 10 to 12 inch amounts were common. The 4.4 inches storm total snowfall at the Albuquerque Sunport set a new record snowfall for the month of October. Well over 100 motor vehicle accidents were reported and Interstate 40 was closed down at least once. Damage amounts are estimated for numerous vehicles however the extent of any injuries is unknown.

Heavy Snow, West Central Highlands

When: October 26, 8:00 AM MST to October 27, 1:00 PM MST
Where: West Central Highlands forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 34.993, -107.256 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall amounts of four to nine inches were reported in the area around Grants. Low visibility and hazardous travel conditions occurred along Interstate 40.

Heavy Snow, Sandia/Manzano Mountains Including Edgewood

When: October 26, 9:00 AM MST to October 28, 4:00 AM MST
Where: Sandia/Manzano Mountains Including Edgewood forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.121, -106.434 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations in the Sandia and Manzano mountains reported between five and 10 inches of snow with gusty winds, low visibility, and hazardous travel conditions.

Heavy Snow, Estancia Valley

When: October 26, 9:00 AM MST to October 28, 4:00 AM MST
Where: Estancia Valley forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.066, -106.166 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations in the Estancia Valley from Moriarty to near Mountainair reported between four and eight inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, San Agustin Plains and Adjacent Lowlands

When: October 26, 2:00 PM MST to October 27, 9:00 AM MST
Where: San Agustin Plains and Adjacent Lowlands forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 33.961, -107.667 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations along the U.S. Highway 60 corridor near Magdalena reported four to eight inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Lower Rio Grande Valley

When: October 26, 3:00 PM MST to October 28, 4:00 AM MST
Where: Lower Rio Grande Valley forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 34.007, -106.930 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Various stations across the Socorro area reported snowfall amounts of two to five inches.

Blizzard, Union County

When: October 28, 5:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
Where: Union County forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.482, -103.471 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The combination of snow and strong north winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting snow with low visibility along U.S. Highway 56 west of Clayton. Snow drifts of one to four feet were reported over parts of the area. NMDOT closed U.S. 56 due to impossible travel conditions.

Blizzard, Harding County

When: October 28, 5:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
Where: Harding County forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.858, -103.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The combination of snow and strong north winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting snow with low visibility over Harding County. Snow drifts of one to three feet were reported over parts of the area.

Blizzard, Eastern San Miguel County

When: October 28, 5:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
Where: Eastern San Miguel County forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.480, -104.816 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The combination of snow and strong north winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting snow with low visibility over eastern San Miguel County. Snow drifts of one to three feet were reported over parts of the area.

Blizzard, Quay County

When: October 28, 5:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
Where: Quay County forecast zone
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.104, -103.550 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The combination of snow and strong north winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting snow with low visibility over Quay County. Snow drifts of one to three feet were reported over parts of the area. A semi-trailer rolled over off of Interstate 40 near Tucumcari. Damages are estimated for total loss of the commercial vehicle and the extent of injuries is unknown.

Blizzard, Far Northeast Highlands

When: October 28, 8:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
Where: Far Northeast Highlands forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.308, -104.796 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The combination of snow and strong north winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting snow with low visibility along Interstate 25 and U.S. Highway 56 east of Springer. Snow drifts of one to four feet were reported over parts of the area. NMDOT reported severe travel along Interstate 25 and closed U.S. 56 due to impossible travel conditions.

What these are

High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
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.
Blizzard: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in New Mexico in 2020 Every state in 2020 This day in weather history Warnings in New Mexico, October 2020

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: 920303, 920304, 920314, 920315, 920334, 920313, 920336, 920338, 920340, 920331, 920342, 920330, 920345, 920346, 920308, 920311, 920327, 920321, 920328, 920343, 920348, 920317, 920329, 920306, 920347, 920318, 920349, 920323, 920307, 920325, 920326, 920350, 920324, 920335, 920337, 920339, 920341, 920332.