specialweatherbriefing_201

8/7/2019 specialweatherbriefing_201

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Major Winter Storm

Update

NWS AlbuquerqueFebruary 1, 2011

Special Weather BriefingMajor Winter Storm

Update

NWS AlbuquerqueFebruary 1, 2011


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Bottom LineBottom Line

Record breakingRecord breaking Arctic air mass firmlyArctic air mass firmly

entrenchedentrenched over region; slowlyover region; slowly

advancing toward NM/AZ state lineadvancing toward NM/AZ state line

Life threatening COLD;Life threatening COLD; temperaturestemperatures

not seen in decadesnot seen in decades Widespread heavy snow returns forWidespread heavy snow returns for

western two-thirds of area tonightwestern two-thirds of area tonight;;

focus across West Central,focus across West Central,

Southwest/Upper Gila, Middle/LowerSouthwest/Upper Gila, Middle/LowerRio Grande Valley and South-centralRio Grande Valley and South-central

MountainsMountains


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Upper Level Forecast Chart(Image is Precip Potential)

5PM Today, 2/1

Strengthening low pressure aloft over Central Rockies

moves southwest toward the Four Corners tonight. Very

favorable pattern for widespread snow northern and

western NM.

LLLL

l Ch


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Midday Wednesday, 2/2

Intense upper level low drops due south along NM/AZ

border during the day Wednesday. Pattern remains VERY

favorable for continued snow western two-thirds of NM.

LL

U L l F Ch


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5PM Thursday, 2/3

Upper level low weakens as it moves over NM Bootheel

during the day Thursday. Rapidly improving conditions

from north to south early Thursday morning.

LL


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Total Liquid EquivalentTotal Liquid Equivalent

24-hour Total Ending 11am Wed24-hour Total Ending 11am Wed

Snow to Liquid Ratio (SLR)Snow to Liquid Ratio (SLR)

20:1 to 30:120:1 to 30:1

0.50 liquid = 10 to 15 snow0.50 liquid = 10 to 15 snow

0.25 liquid = 5 to 8 snow0.25 liquid = 5 to 8 snow

Axis of heaviest precipitationAxis of heaviest precipitation

(snow) along Continental Divide(snow) along Continental Divide

west of Grants southeastward towest of Grants southeastward toSocorro to Ruidoso/CloudcroftSocorro to Ruidoso/Cloudcroft


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24-hour Total 11am Wed to 11am24-hour Total 11am Wed to 11am

ThuThu

Precipitation quickly wanes andPrecipitation quickly wanes and

shifts into far southern NMshifts into far southern NM


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Additional Snowfall Projected throughAdditional Snowfall Projected through

5Pm Wed5Pm Wed

2-32-3

2-32-3

5-85-8

lcl 12lcl 12

3-63-6

3-63-6

11

E t l G Wi d Ri G dE t W R


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Easterly Gap Winds Rio GrandeEaster y ap W n s R o ran eValleyValley

Easterly gap winds to peak in strength during theEasterly gap winds to peak in strength during the

evening. Dangerous sub-zero wind chill values.evening. Dangerous sub-zero wind chill values.


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Dangerously ColdDangerously ColdMaximum Temperatures Wednesday

Forecast Departure from Normal

i i


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Forecast Minimum TemperaturesForecast Minimum Temperatures

Thursday MorningThursday Morning


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Current & Expected ImpactsCurrent & Expected Impacts

WeatherWeather Snow, Blowing Snow, and Drifting Snow withSnow, Blowing Snow, and Drifting Snow with

reduced visibilities across a large portion ofreduced visibilities across a large portion ofNorthern and Central NMNorthern and Central NM

Record Extreme Cold through Thursday:Record Extreme Cold through Thursday:

25 to 45 degrees below normal25 to 45 degrees below normal Dangerous Wind Chills: 0 to -40 degreesDangerous Wind Chills: 0 to -40 degrees

below zerobelow zero Near Blizzard Conditions below canyons inNear Blizzard Conditions below canyons in

the Rio Grande Valley and over thethe Rio Grande Valley and over the

Southeast Plains through tonightSoutheast Plains through tonight


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Current & Expected ImpactsCurrent & Expected Impacts

Public & Enterprise:Public & Enterprise:

Election Day for UNM and ABQ public schoolsElection Day for UNM and ABQ public schools Numerous School Closures and Delays CWA-Numerous School Closures and Delays CWA-

widewide Numerous State and Local GovernmentNumerous State and Local Government

Closures CWA-wideClosures CWA-wide

Numerous Major Interstate and State HighwayNumerous Major Interstate and State Highwayclosures for accidents, including Interstates 25closures for accidents, including Interstates 25and 40and 40

Potential significant losses to the livestockPotential significant losses to the livestockindustry across Southeast Plains due toindustry across Southeast Plains due toextreme cold exposureextreme cold exposure

Potential significant loss of production andPotential significant loss of production andtransport of natural gas and oil resourcestransport of natural gas and oil resourcesacross the Southeast Plainsacross the Southeast Plains

Potential water and property damage due toPotential water and property damage due toexposed pipes and plumbingexposed pipes and plumbing


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As always

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