Rain and Snow Return to the Southwest

For much of this winter season the Southwestern United States have been under the influence of a large, blocking ridge of high pressure. This ridge has sent storms well to the north, keeping the southwest dry and warm. While a few soaking systems helped push drought conditions out of California, the Four Corners have been seeing drought conditions worsen with snow pack rivaling the worst on record (snow pack records date back about 40 years).

A wet storm system is expected to move in from the Pacific to end the week, bringing heavy rain and snow back to these parched locations. Winter weather alerts have been issued for portions of New Mexico starting Friday morning, but expect more of the surrounding area to see additional alerts issued in the next few days.

As the low moves across the interior, scattered rain and snow are expected to develop in California by Thursday morning. Isolated showers will spread into the Great Basin and Four Corners by the evening hours, but showers will greatly increase in coverage and intensity throughout the day Friday. By Saturday morning, widespread rain is expected in Arizona and lower elevations of New Mexico, while mountain areas and locations east of I-25 see heavy snowfall. The heavy precipitation will gradually wind down through Sunday morning, with some snow showers still falling in New Mexico.

Snowfall totals look impressive in Colorado and New Mexico, with many high elevation locations looking at 6-12". Even portions of Arizona and California can expect some 6"+. Expect major delays on several interstates in Colorado and New Mexico, such as I-25, I-40, and I-70.

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