FRIGID WEATHER GRIPS NATION

Bad weather looms as metro reopening

City may be unable to clear roads due to arctic temperatures

Just as the metro area has begun reopening slightly after months of tight COVID-19-related restrictions, Mother Nature is threatening to send everyone back home.

With Albuquerque bracing for a combination of snow and frigid temperatures starting Sunday, the city is warning residents that driving is likely to be problematic and they should stay off the roads as much as possible.

The city has road maintenance crews scheduled to work around the clock starting at 4:30 a.m. Sunday and running through Tuesday’s forecast storm, according to Johnny Chandler, a spokesman for the Department of Municipal Development. The city also has an ample supply of de-icing material, but extremely low temperatures can limit its effectiveness.

Chandler said the crews will do what they can to clear streets but conditions may become “treacherous.” Low temperatures will likely prevent snow and ice from dissipating, he said.

“It’s going to be too cold; the roads are not going to thaw. Even if the sun is shining, it’s just a stay-at-home situation,” he said. “We’re going to ... do the best we can; we’re going to work around the clock, but we have to have the public’s assistance in making sure everyone stays safe.”

The most snow is expected to fall this weekend in northern and eastern New Mexico. Albuquerque has a 90% chance of snow on Sunday, and could receive about 3 inches of snow by Monday night. Temperatures won’t likely get above freezing on Sunday. Blowing snow from 25 to 35 mph winds could reduce visibility on roads in the metro area. Wind gusts may reach 50 mph.

Road conditions are updated at nmroads.com, and the latest forecasts and snow amounts can be viewed at weather.gov/abq.

Chandler said the city crews prioritize major roadways, intersections, bridges and emergency routes.

The state this week relaxed some COVID-19-related restrictions for the metro area, moving Bernalillo County to the yellow level from the red. That allowed restaurants to resume indoor dining at 25% capacity; it also loosened limits at grocery stores, hotels and other businesses.

Chandler acknowledged that

asking people to stay home even longer is tough.

“I’m really sorry; we’ve been doing this for so long,” he said. “But this storm has the potential to make (roads) treacherous.”

State officials are also warning about travel this weekend, citing the severe weather anticipated in the northern, central and eastern parts of New Mexico.

“Please be prepared for freezing temperatures and potential road closures or other roadway impacts through the weekend and into early next week,” Bianca Ortiz Wertheim, secretary of the state’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said in a statement Friday. “If you can avoid traveling through the end of this cold spell, please do so. Don’t take on the cold, wind and snow. Wind gusts and cold will make driving a risk. Please stay informed about risks in your local area, particularly the risk of difficult driving conditions.”