Storm produces as much as 30 inches of snow across  parts of NM

New Mexico received between an inch to over 2 feet of snow in a system that caused widespread snow, ice and power outages across the country.

Albuquerque and the East Mountains got 1 to 3 inches and 3 to 6 inches, respectively, said Jennifer Shoemake, National Weather Service of Albuquerque meteorologist.

On Saturday night, the Albuquerque Police Department responded to 32 crashes, seven resulting in injuries, said Dan Mayfield, city Department of Municipal Development spokesperson, in a news release on Sunday. Additionally, Albuquerque Community Safety transported 70 people to shelters, he said.

At the Albuquerque International Sunport, 20 flight cancellations were reported along with some delays "due to impacts in other states that experienced severe weather," Mayfield said.

While the metro area received some snow, parts of southern New Mexico got much more.

Shoemake said Ski Apache in Alto received 31 inches while Ruidoso got about 6-10 inches "and that was on top of a 1/4- to 1/2-inch of ice." The weather caused over 2,000 people to lose power in the Ruidoso area.

While the snow has stopped, roads will remain slick in many parts of the state, especially on bridges.

"The road may seem dry but any moisture on a bridge can remain frozen even if the sun is out and the lane look(s) clear," according to a New Mexico Department of Transportation social media post on Sunday. "... Use extra caution on bridges, especially ones that cross a river or any water."

In a Sunday morning Facebook post, the Chaves County Sheriff's Office advised people to stay off the roads.

If drivers need to go out, especially in eastern and southern New Mexico, Shoemake said they should "take it slow, leave lots of space and give yourself extra time to get to your destinations."

The snow may be gone for the "foreseeable future," Shoemake said, but morning temperatures will be below freezing in the coming days.

In Roswell, Monday's low could be minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit, which would break the record of 3 degrees set in 1904 and 1966, she said. While the metro area is not expected to see temperatures that cold, Shoemake said people can expect lows in the teens.

When the weather gets that cold, she said, people should check on their neighbors and elderly, bundle up and if they are out shoveling snow or working, they should should "take a lot of breaks" and give themselves time to warm up and drink hot liquids.

"Also," Mayfield said in the news release, "if you're cold, pets will be cold, too, and they should be brought inside to stay warm."

He said low- and moderate-income residents seeking a doghouse for their pet can apply for the Animal Welfare Department's Doghouse Lottery.

Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.