NM braces for 'potent' arctic front to move in

ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico is getting ready for what could be a significant blast of winter.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque are warning residents and travelers that the above-normal temperatures and dry weather that New Mexico has been experiencing in recent weeks will come to an abrupt end Sunday.

That's when a "potent" arctic front will move across the state, bringing with it cooler temperatures and gusty winds. Snow is expected across the northern mountains and the northeast plains Sunday morning, and it will to spread south throughout the day.

"It's long overdue," Ed Polasko of the National Weather Service told the Albuquerque Journal.

The Sunday forecast for Clovis, according to weather.com, calls for a high of 42 on Sunday with northeastern winds of around 20 miles per hour and a 30 percent chance of precipitation. The low for Sunday night is 16 degrees with a 50 percent chance of precipitation.

Temperatures will slowly rebound until Thursday, with a high of 62 and a low of 35. Conditions are virtually the same in Portales, give or take 2 degrees each day.

New Mexico has had little moisture over the past two years, resulting in much of the state having to struggle with some category of drought. So far, this year ranks as the warmest on record and the second driest in New Mexico.

The latest statistics from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's climate center show the nationally averaged precipitation total of 1.19 inches for November was nearly an inch below the long-term average. That means last month was the eighth driest November on record for the U.S.

While New Mexico's portion of the drought won't end any time soon, everyone from water managers to farmers and ranchers say they will be glad to get even just a little moisture with Sunday's storm.

Forecasters say significant snow accumulations are possible for the Sangre de Cristo Mountains south toward the Sandia Mountains and east of the central mountain chain toward Raton and Santa Rosa.

Travel along Interstate 25 from Glorieta Pass to the Colorado border and I-40 east of Tijeras Canyon could be hazardous thanks to the snow and wind chills that are predicted to dip into the single digits and below zero in some parts of northern New Mexico.

Light snow with accumulations of up to an inch was possible for Parmer, Castro and Bailey counties along the Texas-New Mexico border west of Lubbock.

Manon Arnett, a spokeswoman for the state Transportation Department, said about 75 pieces of equipment are available for keeping routes clear in the state's District Two, which covers Curry, Roosevelt and eight other counties. The district spent $1.2 million last year on snow removal and spread more than 10,000 tons of salt.

The department's Traffic Management Center, which monitors road conditions throughout the state, will also be fully staffed and road conditions will be updated on the department's website — http://www.nmroads.com.

Travel safety tips:

• If you must travel, carry an emergency supply kit in your vehicle with essential items and let someone know your destination, your route and when you expect to arrive.
• Check road conditions before traveling by visiting the New Mexico Department of Transportation travel and road advisory website at http://nmroads.com/ or call 511.
• Always wear your safety belt and allow extra time to reach your destination.
• To remain focused on driving, motorists should put away the distractions by not talking or texting on cellular phones.
• Provide snowplows enough space to plow and be cautious when passing.
• Provide first responders enough space by moving over one lane.
• Stay tuned to local media outlets for up-to-date weather conditions and any emergency information.

Source: N.M. Department of Transportation