SNOW COVERS SANTA FE

New Mexico’s capital city among the hardest hit by winter storm

SANTA FE — In a week that has so far seen brutally cold weather batter much of the state, Santa Feans woke up to a large amount of light, fluffy snow Tuesday.

Six to 10 inches of snow fell across Santa Fe and the surrounding area early Tuesday, Alyssa Clements of the National Weather Service said.

“Santa Fe has appeared to be one of the big winners this morning,” Clements said Tuesday, adding that the area had some of the largest amounts of snowfall in New Mexico.

Temperatures in Santa Fe dipped close to zero Sunday night into Monday morning. Tuesday’s snow was significant in what otherwise has been a disappointing snow season.

Residents around town could be seen shoveling their driveways and sweeping piles of snow from their vehicles.

Santa Fe resident Joseph Irwin told the Journal he hadn’t seen this much snow at once in the 10 years he has lived in the area. From the porch of his Jay Street home, he measured the snowfall at 9 inches.

“I was planning on going (to work) to answer the phone and stuff, but not today,” he said, observing the expanse of white that surrounded him. “I’ve never seen this volume of snow.”

City interim Streets Division Director Thomas Martinez said crews were up early in the morning spreading salt on major roadways to decrease the chances of vehicles losing control. He said the roads appeared to be in good condition, considering the large amount of snow.

Santa Fe Deputy Police Chief Ben Valdez said officers responded to only seven crashes since the polar vortex — which has ravaged the middle of the country — first swept over the city Sunday. Only one crash resulted in injuries.

But Martinez and Valdez said it’s fair to expect icy and slick road conditions Wednesday, after low temperatures were expected to refreeze any snow that had melted.

“If you don’t have to travel, try to stay home if possible,” Valdez said.

City services, such as trash pickup, are not expected to experience any interruptions, Public Works Director Regina Wheeler said.

EDDIE MOORE/JOURNAL Chip Miller, with the city of Santa Fe’s Parks and Recreation Department, shovels several inches of snow off a sidewalk in front of the Salvador Perez Recreational Park in Santa Fe.