NWS News:
Prolonged Winter Weather Pattern Continues
Record-breaking snow impacting portions of central and northern New Mexico will continue to ease in intensity through the remainder of the morning, with warmer air making a solid push from southwest to northeast as the day progresses.
This will force snow levels higher, with significant additional snow during the afternoon and evening focused over the northern mountains and lower elevations near the New Mexico Colorado state line.
Meanwhile, very cold air firmly entrenched across the eastern plains will also moderate and gradually erode from west to east. Cold air impacts will linger the longest across the northeast plains and highlands where snow could remain through most of the day.
Snow accumulation levels will continue to rise Sunday with additional significant snow generally favoring the northern mountains near and above 8,500 feet. Another surge of colder air will work south into northeast New Mexico Sunday night, with the potential for a wintry of precipitation including snow, freezing rain, and/or sleet across parts of the he eastern plains.
Going into Monday, the last in the series of upper level storms will finally near New Mexico, crossing overhead later Monday into Monday night. Behind this storm system, another backdoor cold front will plunge southward sending bitter cold back into eastern New Mexico extending westward into central areas by Wednesday with another round of snow possible for lower elevations.
Key Impacts:
One to 2 feet of additional snow for places like Chama, before snow levels rise to 8,000 feet or higher BY SUNDAY.
Heavy snow loading may result in structural problems for roofs and weakened structure in the higher terrain as well as increase an already heightened avalanche threat in the backcountry.
High mountain communities in the northern mountains near and above 9000 feet likely receiving 40-50 inches including Red River, Angel Fire/Black Lake and Taos Ski Valley THROUGH TUESDAY.
Wintry mix to include freezing rain possible across parts of the eastern plains tonight, and again Sunday night into Monday.
Overview:
A dangerous weather scenario currently impacting much of northern and central New Mexico will continue through today. Bitterly cold air with moderate to locally heavy snowfall will continue across areas along and north of interstate 40. Major snow accumulations will add up through the weekend for the northern high terrain ... on the order of several feet. A warming trend will turn snow to rain for folks below 7,500 feet Saturday and Sunday. Another storm will slide in Monday and Tuesday and deliver even more snow for the region. A bitter cold air mass will arrive Wednesday before a much needed warming and drying trend begins.
Confidence:
Moderate to high confidence on a trend of moderating temperatures beginning later today, and especially going into tonight and Sunday. This will result in rising snow levels and the big melt will be on for areas that have been buried in snow the past two days. Growing confidence and increasing concerns for places like Chama, Questa, Red River, Angel Fire, Taos where another 10-30 inches of snow will likely fall through Sunday night. Then, more snow for the Monday-Wednesday period though lower confidence on exact snow amounts during the period.