Snow forecast for region

The Clovis-Portales area can expect a snowstorm this weekend, a reprieve from recent dry weather.

Forecasters said the region should see 2 to 5 inches of snow between Saturday and Sunday.

The storm is expected to hit northwestern New Mexico on Saturday evening and progress southward toward the eastern part of the state overnight. The National Weather Service reports Sunday morning will see snow and northerly winds for the High Plains.

While Clovis and Portales are likely to receive at least 2 inches of snow, NWS estimates Clovis has an 82% chance and Portales a 67% chance of receiving 4 inches. Snow accumulations are predicted to range between 4 and 12 inches in the northern mountains, with 6 to 8 inches being possible in other areas throughout the eastern Plains.

“Travel plans are likely to be impacted as a result of this winter storm system through northern and eastern New Mexico. Alternate plans for the weekend will likely be needed,” NWS reported in a statement, highlighting that eastern New Mexico should “stay up-to-date (for) forecast changes, especially regarding snowfall.”

The NWS in Albuquerque expects the storm to leave the area by Sunday afternoon. Temperatures in the mid-40s and low 50s should break the cold spell by early next week.

It if happens, the snow will mark the most precipitation in the area since October.

New Mexico State University’s Ag Science Center at Clovis reported .52 of an inch of moisture that month, and just .04 more since then.

The unexpected precipitation comes from a weakening of the polar vortex located above the Arctic Circle. According to AccuWeather Global Weather Center, a sudden rise in temperature at the end of December caused the weakening and led to freezing air being pushed out of the Arctic southward toward the United States.