Major Winter Storm System Moving Into SW Great Plains

Residents of the Southwest Great Plains should stock up on supplies while they can as a Monday afternoon storm system is expected to reach parts of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and Texas.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) parts of Interstate 40 will be closed in eastern New Mexico and northwest Texas as visibility reaches dangerously low levels while blowing snow will likely cause problems for drivers.

The NWS expects up to 15 inches of snow to call in southwestern Colorado, northeastern New Mexico, the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles and southwestern Kansas.

The storm couldn’t come at a worse time as holiday travel is expected to reach it’s peak in the coming week.

While weather was calm on Sunday the NWS warns that the storm is a fast approaching front that will quickly change weather conditions.

Residents should expect rain to develop first with snow expected in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, N.M., by midday as temperatures continue to fall.

As the storm moves along the Great Divide weather conditions are expected to worsen with winds reaching over 40mph.

Weather forecaster Kerry Jones says of upcoming weather conditions:

“Those are tremendous amounts of snow,” Jones said. “Add to that the fact that that snow is going to be blowing, and you’re going to have winds easily in the 40 mph range if not higher, it’s going to be a very ugly, potentially life-threatening situation.”

With temperatures expected to remain in the 20s and 30s the snow is expected to stick around for a while and motorists are being warned to proceed with caution.

How have you prepared for this winter storm if it’s hitting your area?