Weather Winter Storm Watch for southern NM and far west Texas

[gatorhater]

Winter Storm Watch
NMZ410-411-413-417-TXZ418>424-242300-
/O.NEW.KEPZ.WS.A.0005.151227T0000Z-151228T0600Z/
NORTHERN DONA ANA COUNTY-SOUTHERN DONA ANA COUNTY/MESILLA VALLEY-
SOUTHERN TULAROSA BASIN-OTERO MESA-WESTERN EL PASO COUNTY-
EASTERN/CENTRAL EL PASO COUNTY-
NORTHERN HUDSPETH HIGHLANDS/HUECO MOUNTAINS-SALT BASIN-
SOUTHERN HUDSPETH HIGHLANDS-
RIO GRANDE VALLEY OF EASTERN EL PASO/WESTERN HUDSPETH COUNTIES-
RIO GRANDE VALLEY OF EASTERN HUDSPETH COUNTY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...GARFIELD...HATCH...RADIUM SPRINGS...
LAS CRUCES...VADO...SUNLAND PARK...OROGRANDE...
WHITE SANDS RANGE HEADQUARTERS...CHAPARRAL...CROW FLATS...
DOWNTOWN...WEST EL PASO...UPPER VALLEY...FORT BLISS...SOCORRO...
EAST AND NORTHEAST EL PASO...HUECO TANKS...LOMA LINDA...
DELL CITY...CORNUDAS...SALT FLAT...SIERRA BLANCA...FABENS...
TORNILLO...FORT HANCOCK
517 AM MST THU DEC 24 2015

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
SUNDAY EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN EL PASO TX/SANTA TERESA HAS
ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY
AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING.

* TIMING...RAIN SHOWERS WILL TURN TO SNOW BY LATE SATURDAY
AFTERNOON OR EARLY EVENING AND LAST INTO SUNDAY EVENING.

* MAIN IMPACT...3 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW WILL CAUSE DANGEROUS DRIVING
CONDITIONS AND MAY LEAD TO SOME ROAD CLOSURES.

* OTHER IMPACTS...SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW COULD REDUCE VISIBILITIES
TO LESS THAN ONE MILE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR
THE LATEST FORECASTS.

 

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Higher confidence that snow is on its way to Las Cruces
Steve Ramirez, Las Cruces Sun-News 9:08 p.m. MST December 23, 2015
Snowflake

LAS CRUCES — Las Cruces' first snowfall this winter could be a doozy.

Tim Brice, senior forecaster with the National Weather Service, in Santa Teresa, said there is "high confidence" among Weather Service meteorologists that Las Cruces and El Paso could see as much as seven inches of snow from an approaching storm system that is anticipated to arrive early Saturday night.

"We are looking at a significant weather event," Brice said. "...Generally speaking, you're going to see five to seven inches of snow in the Las Cruces and El Paso areas."

A Pacific storm system, bringing precipitation from the west and pulling in more moisture from Mexico, will merge with a cold front coming from the northeast. The storm is expected to drop into southern New Mexico during the day Saturday, with the worst conditions believed to occur Saturday night into Sunday.

"Between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday, the cold front is expected to move in," Brice said.

At least 12 inches of snow is expected in the Sacramento Mountains, including Ruidoso and Cloudcroft, and accumulations could easily reach 2 feet. Brice said 1 to 3 inches could fall in desert lowlands west of Deming. He added this could be the heaviest snowfall southern New Mexico and far west Texas has seen since 2009, when six inches fell.

"The uncertainties are where the snow bands will be heaviest," he said. "...People should also be aware it's going to be cold, too. Highs will only be in the mid 30s on Sunday. Early Monday will be very cold, with overnight lows into the teens."

Las Cruces City Manager Robert Garza said city administrators and public safety officials have begun monitoring weather conditions as the storm approaches.

"We're watching and are prepared if we do get hit," Garza said. "Preparations include salt and sand spreader operations as well as close coordination with other agencies to ensure we keep citizens informed about road conditions while we work to keep them passable.

"Our police and fire services personnel are keeping a close eye on road conditions and they will be relied upon to help us make decisions on safety and areas of concern. ...Of course, we don't have a huge snow removal fleet nor high capacity. We will start with bridges and arterials with steep grades and go from there."

Brice and Garza urged residents to prepare for the anticipated bad weather.

"The best advance advice I can offer is for residents to take care of their pets and pipes," Garza said. "If we do get seven inches of snow we hope residents will stay home if possible so they should stock up on necessities to make that possible. Also, a full tank of gas and a warm blanket in vehicles should be planned for those who may have to venture into the inclement weather."

Brice said road closures, particularly at higher elevations are likely if snowfall becomes heavy. Transmountain Road, in El Paso, Anthony Gap, and San Augustin Pass would probably be closed if severe weather conditions occur. Treacherous driving conditions on Interstate 25, north of Hatch, could occur, and air traffic delays are possible.

"Tweaks to the forecast will happen as conditions change," Brice said.

As of Wednesday night, there was a 70 percent chance for rain Saturday in Las Cruces, and a 70 percent chance of snow showers Saturday night. A 50 percent chance for snow is forecast Sunday, with a 20 percent probability Sunday night.

Light rain fell early Wednesday in Las Cruces, but no measurable amount was recorded at Las Cruces International Airport. At the Las Cruces Sun-News, .02 inch was unofficially measured there.

 

[Publius]

For us here this would be normal for this time of year and not that big a deal, we just deal with it and keep getting with the program.