POWDERY playground

Fast-moving storm sweeps through the state heading eastward

A winter storm that swept through New Mexico early Friday caused hazardous driving conditions and road closures, brought bitter cold across much of the state, and added snow accumulations that should make skiers smile this weekend.

Some areas racked up some impressive snow totals since Thursday morning, when moist Pacific air collided with a bitterly cold arctic front over New Mexico. Forecasters predict clear skies and a warming trend this weekend and into next week.

A high near 42 is forecast today in Albuquerque, cooling to a frosty 24 degrees tonight. A cold front Friday plunged much of the state into the deep freeze. Lows in the teens and single digits were forecast for early this morning for most of the state, rising to highs in the 30s and 40s today. Santa Fe was expected to have a low of 9 this morning, with a high in the mid 30s.

Friday’s storm dumped snow across a broad

swath of northern and eastern New Mexico.

Eagle Nest in Colfax County received 28 inches of snow, the state’s highest total. Raton got 13 inches, Los Alamos 8 inches and Santa Fe 3 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

The state’s ski areas received some healthy snow totals. They included: Taos Ski Area, 13 inches; Enchanted Forest Ski Area in Red River, 13 inches; Sipapu Ski Area, 9 inches; Santa Fe Ski Area, 8 inches.

Some areas of Albuquerque received more than an inch of snow Friday morning, causing school and government office closures, some morning flight delays, and at least 98 crashes on iceslicked streets.

Michael Chavez, 47, of Albuquerque was killed and a passenger critically injured Friday when he lost control of a pickup on ice-slicked U.S. 550 near in rural Sandoval County and skidded into the path of a semi tractor-trailer, Sandoval County sheriff’s deputies said. The passenger, Michael Rodriguez, 29, of Albuquerque was airlifted to University of New Mexico Hospital. No other injuries were reported.

Albuquerque officials said 288 people stayed at the city’s winter homeless shelter Thursday night, including 69 women and nine children.

MARLA BROSE/JOURNAL Noah Schwartz, 7, takes advantage of a districtwide Albuquerque Public Schools snow day closure to help build a snowman with Chris Morath, right, and Shinca, the dog, at Montgomery Park.

JIM THOMPSON/JOURNAL Packed snow and ice at Irving and Golf Course NW makes driving hazardous for morning commuters. At least 98 crashes were reported Friday on icy streets in Albuquerque.

EDDIE MOORE/JOURNAL Juliet Caballero, 8, gets a push from her father, Alberto Caballero, of Santa Fe as they sled at the Big Tesuque Campground in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Fred Anderson of Santa Fe sports a frosty beard after skiing the Big Tesuque drainage from Ski Santa Fe.