‘Historic’ snowstorm slams New Mexico

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Albuquerque Journal

By Katy Barnitz

Icy roads brought on by an expected record-breaking storm snarled Albuquerque traffic Saturday night, closing roads, slowing cars to a crawl, causing rollovers across the city and prompting pleas from public officials that motorists stay home.

Interstate 40 was closed from Eubank to the Texas border at around 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Albuquerque police Officer Fred Duran said eastbound drivers would be forced off the interstate at Eubank, and would need to seek an alternate route. He also noted that all hotels along I-40 into Texas were turning people away.

By 10 p.m., Albuquerque police reported responding to 178 wrecks, though eastern New Mexico was expected to see the worst of the wintry weather.

Driving conditions in the metro area and throughout the state deteriorated over the course of the afternoon and into Saturday night. In Albuquerque, the storm was expected to pick up this morning, before easing in the afternoon. But for the eastern chunk of the state that was most affected, the storm was likely to last through Sunday night and into Monday morning.

FULL story at link.


Drivers were forced to abandoned their cars near Paseo del Norte and Eagle Ranch Rd NW after icy conditions caused a chain reaction of collisions Saturday night. (Roberto E. Rosales/Journal)

Read more: http://www.abqjournal.com/697012/news/historic-snowstorm-slams-new-mexico.html

[chillfactor]

1. I live in the mountains....

just east of Albuquerque....we have had over a foot of snow here and it is still snowing.....I have NEVER seen this much snow in our area....unbelievable!

[Wellstone ruled]

2. Shades of the 1960's,

some roads were closed for weeks. Uncle worked on the Rails,some lines closed for over a month. Think that was 1967.

[SheilaT]

3. In Santa Fe we appear to have missed the brunt of it,

although it was bad enough that yesterday I cut short a planned afternoon with friends because the roads were getting bad.

[abakan]

4. I'm South of Albuquerque

We have more snow than I've seen in many years. Good day for a big bowl of posole and netflix.

[Gloria]

5. Lots of heavy wet snow in Las Cruces

Out early today to save my bushes and a tree from broken branches...started flurrying again, but the 1-2 additional didn't come and we luckily got sun earlier than expected and things started melting somewhat...But still lots of snow around and temp going down to 20 or so...so will be very icy tomorrow.
I cancelled a 9 am appt since I know I would be rushed and just don't want to chance it...the conditions vary so much here from one place to another...
Hopefully, by Tuesday the melting will continue and the sun will help dry things up....

It was a bruiser, even down here...My garden hoops collapsed under the weight of the snow, about 6-8 inches and I lifted off huge chunks to get everything right again....luckily row cover and the plastic help my greens survive, will have to see how they do in the real cold tonight...

[womanofthehills]

6. Middle of NM - near Mountainair

I am snowed in big time. Two feet of snow with 4 ft drifts. I'm not going to be able to get out of here for days. It's been so cold too. It's 18 degrees night now.

[trillion]

7. Wow! Good luck to you!