Cold, snow expected to sweep area

Low temperatures, snow and high winds will sweep across New Mexico today, including the Clovis-Portales area.

Daniel Porter, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said a “deeply cold air mass” will drop statewide temperatures 20 to 30 degrees below normal today.

“That’s going to set the stage up for significant snowfall accumulations, because the atmosphere will be plenty cold enough to support snow for most locations across New Mexico,” Porter said.

Eastern New Mexico is expected to see less than an inch of snow accumulations, but chances of precipitation today are at 60 percent.

“The question across the far eastern plains of New Mexico is if the temperatures will be warm enough in those areas to switch over to a rain-snow mix,” Porter said.

NWS predicts a high temperature of 39 degrees for the Clovis area today, with a low of 26. Winds will be from the northeast at 20 to 30 mph.

Thursday’s high should be back near 60 with moisture chances less than 10 percent.

Today will be the coldest day of the week for much of the state.

Albuquerque is expected to have a low of 24 degrees and a high of 43, with cloudy skies and a 70% chance of precipitation.

About an inch of snow is expected in Albuquerque from Tuesday to Thursday.

Areas east of the central mountains will likely receive the most snow from the mid week storm. Las Vegas could get about 8 inches, and up to 9 inches could fall in Angel Fire.

Icy conditions are possible on major highways this week, along with freezing fog, blowing snow and reduced visibility.

Weather across the state will calm down Friday.

The Albuquerque Journal contributed to this report.