Special Weather Statement 01/05/2025 05:36 for New Mexico areas

After record breaking warmth over the last three days, winter will return during the week ahead with light snow across northern and central New Mexico and much colder temperatures. Total snow accumulation of a few inches will be possible Tuesday through Wednesday morning along the east slopes of mountain ranges and eastward onto western parts of the eastern plains. Locally heavier amounts around a half foot will be possible on mountains peaks and east-facing slopes. At this time the coldest lower elevation temperatures look to impact the area from Raton to Las Vegas and Clines Corners, where subfreezing temperatures are forecast from Monday night until Thursday or Friday afternoons. A storm system will drop southward over southern California and western Arizona Tuesday, stall for a day, then weaken as it tracks slowly eastward across northern Mexico and/or southern New Mexico during the latter half of the work week. The storm will draw a strong and moist backdoor cold front through northern and central New Mexico Tuesday with light to moderate snowfall developing over northern areas Tuesday morning, then expanding southward to include central and southern areas Tuesday afternoon and night as easterly upslope flow persists and some potentially dense freezing fog develops. Snow and freezing fog should gradually come to an end in many locations Wednesday; however, periods of light snow may return to southern areas Wednesday night through Friday, and possibly farther north depending on the track of the system. High temperatures are forecast to drop into the 20s and 30s across eastern areas starting Tuesday, then over central and western areas as well on Wednesday, except for teens in many mountain locations. Low temperatures look to bottom out Wednesday night mostly in the single digits and teens. In addition, east wind gusts from 35 to 45 mph are forecast below canyons opening into the central valley Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. Temperatures this cold will cause the snow to stick to road surfaces making travel hazardous in many locations Tuesday through Wednesday, including much of I-25 and I-40 across central and eastern New Mexico. Additionally, very cold nighttime low temperatures areawide, and the extended period of subfreezing temperatures along the east slopes of the central mountain chain, will necessitate precautions for people, plants, pipes, and pets. Temperatures are forecast to trend gradually warmer Thursday and Friday, but nighttime lows will remain very cold. Please monitor your favorite source of weather information for updates on this evolving storm system, and keep an eye out for potential Winter Weather Advisories from the National Weather Service.