Snow, strong winds expected for Albuquerque starting Wednesday night

Several inches of snow and strong winds are expected in parts of Albuquerque and across the state could last until Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS Albuquerque office announced a winter storm warning beginning Wednesday night around 8 p.m., lasting until 11 a.m. on Friday. The warning marks the first serious snowfall of fall.

The forecast includes snow with accumulations between 5 and 10 inches, a Wednesday night NWS report said. Up to 15 inches of snow is possible in the Sandia foothills and Four Hills area, according to the report. Additional snow is expected Friday, the report said.

East canyon winds are “forecast to overtop the Sandia and Manzano mountains late Thursday night into Friday morning,” according to the report. Wind gusts could reach 50 mph in some places, the report said.

The warning impacts not just Albuquerque but much of the state, spanning from Glenwood in the southwest and Ruidoso in the southeast to Chama and Raton in the north, according to the National Weather Service website.

NWS Albuquerque meteorologist Brian Guyer said flurries developed in the city’s metro area Wednesday morning. Although he did not mention it, a thick layer of fog was observed in Albuquerque during the late morning and early afternoon.

While Guyer said he did not expect fallen trees from Wednesday night to Thursday morning, any snow or ice could cause branches to fall.

Another wave of snow, from 1 to 3 inches, could move through the metro area going into late Thursday and Thursday night, Guyer said.

Overnight Thursday into Friday morning, snow will move out of Albuquerque and into eastern New Mexico, he said.

“But there could be some additional accumulations across the area, especially the Northeast Heights,” Guyer said.

He said people should anticipate slick and snow-packed roadways.

“Just slow down, increase the distance between you and the next vehicle,” said Guyer, who also suggested that people pack a winter preparedness kit in their vehicle.

“And be careful shoveling snow,” Guyer said, saying the snow would be an average wetness.

New Mexico Department of Transportation spokesperson Kristine Mihelcic said road closures are likely. She said people should visit nmroads.com for updates on road conditions.

Mihelcic said the state transportation department will be prepared for the winter weather, “but we also need the traveling public to adopt specific winter driving tips such as preparing your vehicle, planning your route, buckling your seat belt, reducing your speed (slow down), and never using cruise control during winter weather.”

She said people should give snowplows at least 50 feet of space, plan ahead and allow for extra travel time, and avoid driving in a snow cloud.

“Large vehicles, such as semi-trailer trucks and snowplows, may produce dense clouds of blowing snow that make it difficult for drivers to see,” Mihelcic said. “When drivers encounter snow clouds, they should stay back to avoid the cloud.”