Albuquerque, New Mexico – A major winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow, prolonged travel disruptions, and dangerously cold temperatures across much of New Mexico beginning Friday morning and lasting through late Saturday night. Impacts could linger into early next week as bitter cold settles in, especially across the eastern plains.
According to the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, a Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for large portions of central, northern, eastern, and southeastern New Mexico. Snow accumulations of 5 to 10 inches are possible across many lower elevations, with totals climbing to 12 to 16 inches above 9,000 feet and locally higher amounts in the highest mountain terrain.
The Albuquerque metro area could see 2 to 6 inches of snow, with heavier amounts in the Sandia and Manzano Mountains. Travel along I-40 from Tijeras Canyon east to the Texas border and west toward Grants could become very difficult to impossible for extended periods. I-25 through the Santa Fe area may also be impacted as snow intensifies.
Forecasters warn that the weight of accumulating snow may stress the power grid, raising the risk of outages. Temperatures are expected to plunge into the single digits or colder by Sunday morning, particularly across eastern New Mexico, increasing the danger of frostbite and hypothermia if utilities are disrupted.
Residents are urged to complete preparations, avoid unnecessary travel, and be ready for at least 48 hours of sub-freezing conditions. The Winter Storm Watch remains in effect through late Saturday night, with warnings likely as confidence in snowfall and cold impacts increases.
