Full Notification

A storm system gathering strength over the Pacific Northwest will move southeast toward the Four Corners region today. Meanwhile, an arctic airmass over southern Canada will surge south and arrive in northeast New Mexico late this afternoon. These two air masses will merge over New Mexico and develop into a significant winter storm for New Year's Eve into New Year's Day. Widespread snow, blowing snow, freezing fog, low visibility, and bitterly cold temperatures will likely result in major travel impacts over the region. The heaviest snowfall with this storm is expected to impact western and central New Mexico, as well as the high plains of eastern New Mexico.

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 10 inches, except 7 to 15 inches above 7500 feet. East winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...West Central Highlands, Southwest Mountains, San Francisco River Valley, Lower Chama River Valley, Santa Fe Metro Area, Middle Rio Grande Valley including the Albuquerque Metro Area, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Sandia and Manzano Mountains, Estancia Valley, Central Highlands and South Central Highlands, and Harding, Eastern San Miguel, Guadalupe and De Baca Counties.

* WHEN...From 11 PM this evening to midnight MST Tuesday night.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible.

* AFFECTED AREAS: MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY/ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA ... SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS ... SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS ... LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY ... EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY ... HARDING COUNTY ... DE BACA COUNTY ... GUADALUPE COUNTY ... ESTANCIA VALLEY ... SAN FRANCISCO RIVER VALLEY ... SANTA FE METRO AREA ... SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ... WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ... LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY ... CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

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.