MD 2004 CONCERNING SNOW SQUALL FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEASTERN COLORADO AND NORTHEASTERN NEW MEXICO
Mesoscale Discussion 2004
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0801 PM CST Mon Dec 12 2022
Areas affected...portions of southeastern Colorado and northeastern
New Mexico
Concerning...Snow Squall
Valid 130201Z - 130430Z
SUMMARY...Snow squall conditions will be possible along portions of
the I-25 corridor and Raton Mesa over the next couple of hours.
Brief periods of low visibility and heavy/blowing snow may impact
travel.
DISCUSSION...As of 0155 UTC, regional radar and satellite imagery
showed a band of shallow convection near an eastward surging cold
front from south-central CO into northern NM. Over the last hour,
brief snow squall conditions have been noted at KALS and through
portions of the Alamosa Valley as the convective band moved through.
Ahead of the frontal band, area RAP soundings across southeastern CO
show steep low and mid-level lapse rates (7-8 C/km) beneath cold
mid-level temperatures potentially supportive of weak buoyancy.
Surface convergence ahead of the front should remain strong as it
shifts eastward over the next couple of hours. Shallow convection
capable of brief heavy snow rates of 1-2 inches per hour and blowing
snow with wind gusts to 35 mph may continue eastward across Raton
Mesa and the I-25 corridor. While disruption to travel is possible,
uncertainty on the eastern extent of any snow squall conditions
remains high given limited buoyancy east of I-25 across the High
Plains.
..Lyons.. 12/13/2022
...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product...
ATTN...WFO...PUB...ABQ...
LAT...LON 37890517 37860456 37750417 37510394 37200374 36940376
36610394 36420445 36230501 36140548 36320552 36460553
36980567 37340578 37740598 37890517
