Full Notification

Moderate to heavy snow accumulation is expected tonight through Saturday morning, which will create treacherous travel and extremely poor visibilities in falling and blowing snow. Blizzard conditions are expected across the Albuquerque Metro Area as well as the Sandia and Manzano Mountains as strong to damaging east winds develop. A strong gradient of snow accumulation is expected across the Albuquerque Metro Area, with western areas potentially receiving significantly more snow than eastern areas due to the east wind. Elsewhere, very heavy snowfall is expected, with the highest amounts expected along and east of the central mountain chain, the Jemez Mountains and Mount Taylor, where one foot of snow will be common, and higher amounts are likely along the east slopes. Very cold temperatures will accompany this system. Wind chills will vary around 15 degrees above zero to 15 degrees below zero across most of northern and central New Mexico during the early morning hours both Friday and Saturday.

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are expected across much of western New Mexico, the Santa Fe Metro Area, Upper Rio Grande Valley and Lower Chama River Valley. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 16 inches with amounts up to 20 inches are possible across the Jemez Mountains, Mount Taylor, and much of eastern New Mexico. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph Friday.

* WHERE...Portions of northern and central New Mexico.

* WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 6 AM MST Saturday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel will be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow may significant reduce visibility on Friday. Severe driving conditions are expected and roads may be closed. Stay off roadways if at all possible.

* AFFECTED AREAS: JEMEZ MOUNTAINS ... SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS ... LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY ... EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY ... EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ... NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTOS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER ... FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS ... ESTANCIA VALLEY ... NORTHWEST PLATEAU ... WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU ... WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ... WEST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ... LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY ... NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS ... CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ... SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTOS ABOVE 9500 FEET ... HARDING COUNTY ... GUADALUPE COUNTY ... SAN FRANCISCO RIVER VALLEY ... CHUSKA MOUNTAINS ... SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS ... NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS ... SANTA FE METRO AREA ... SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ... FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS ... WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS ... UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY

Instructions:

A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions will make travel very hazardous or impossible. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for New Mexico can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or 1-800-432-4269.