Storm bringing rain, snow to NM

Travel could be affected in state’s east-central plains, meteorologists say

The combination of a Pacific storm system and a cold front from the northeast could bring rain and snow to New Mexico on Thursday and Friday, meteorologists at the National Weather Service said.

A Pacific storm system expected to affect northern and central New Mexico could bring snow to elevations above 9,000 feet and a mix of rain and snow to the lower elevations.

Ahead of the storm system, however, a cold front will move into the eastern plains late today, setting the stage for a mixed bag of wintry precipitation, including the possibility of sleet and freezing rain, Thursday and Friday.

Daniel Porter, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, said travel could be affected, especially along and south of Interstate 40 in the east-central plains, where a wintry mix of precipitation is forecast.

“It’s going to be a warmer system,” Porter said. “We’re going to have some precipitation. Some of it will be in the form of winter precipitation, but the finer details of the potential impact — the type of precipitation — are still up for debate. We’re going to work those details out as the system gets toward New Mexico.”

A chance of rain is in the Albuquerque forecast for Thursday and Friday, at least for now, with

rain possibly turning into snow late Friday.

Residents should monitor forecasts, because conditions could change depending on the timing of the arrival of the front and main storm system.

Areas of the drought-plagued Four Corners area received much-needed precipitation in the form of snow last weekend. Observers in the Farmington area reported snow amounts between 1.3 and 2.8 inches Saturday and Sunday, and an observer in Bloomfield reported 5 inches of snow.

Preliminary snow reports across Bernalillo County for the 47-hour period that ended at 9:30 a.m. Monday were:

Sandia Peak Ski Area, 5 inches; Sedillo, around 4 inches; Cedro, 4 inches; San Antonito, 3.5 inches; Tijeras, 3 inches; Cañoncito, 2.4 inches; Albuquerque, Spain and Imperata NE, 2 inches; Sandia Park, 2 inches; Albuquerque, Candelaria and Morris NE, 1.7 inches; Albuquerque, Indian School and Chelwood Park NE, 1.6 inches; Four Hills area, 1.5 inches; and Albuquerque, Paradise and Unser NW, 1.5 inches.

The Albuquerque International Sunport received 0.3 inch of snow during the two days.