El Paso, Texas – Snow and gusty winds are creating hazardous travel conditions across southern New Mexico’s mountain regions overnight into early Friday, Jan. 9, as multiple Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect.
According to the National Weather Service in El Paso/Santa Teresa, advisories continue from 6 p.m. Thursday evening through 5 a.m. MST Friday, Jan. 9, for areas of the Sacramento Mountains between 6,000 and 7,500 feet, including Pinon, Mayhill, Timberon, Mountain Park, Sacramento, and Mescalero. Snow accumulations of 0.5 to 2 inches are expected, with higher totals on east-facing slopes and winds gusting up to 40 mph.
Additional advisories remain in effect through 5 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, for central Grant County and the Silver City area, including Fort Bayard, Hurley, Faywood, and Mimbres, where 1 to 2 inches of snow is expected. A brief band of rain changing to snow between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday night may produce short periods of heavier snowfall and reduced visibility, followed by lighter snow showers overnight. Wind gusts may reach 45 mph.
In the Southern Gila Region and Black Range, including Lake Roberts and Kingston, snowfall totals of 1 to 4 inches are forecast, with 2 to 4 inches possible above 7,500 feet, including Emory Pass and portions of Highway 15. Winds gusting to 45 mph may cause blowing snow and rapidly changing road conditions.
The Sacramento Mountains above 7,500 feet, including Cloudcroft, Sunspot, and Apache Summit, are also under a Winter Weather Advisory through 5 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, with 1 to 3 inches of additional snow expected and areas of blowing and drifting snow.
The National Weather Service warns that sudden visibility reductions and slick roads are possible, particularly in higher elevations and exposed areas. Travelers are urged to slow down, allow extra travel time, and check road conditions before heading out.
For the latest New Mexico road conditions, visit nmroads.com or call 511.
