Wintry storm waltzes into New Mexico

RATON, N.M. (KRQE) - Snow has been falling off and on all day in Raton as a winter-like storm creates difficult driving conditions and gives parts of New Mexico their first real taste of cold weather yet to come.

The strong storm is moving through the northern part of the state including the Santa Fe ski area.

Late Wednesday afternoon the National Weather Service reported areas of heavy snow possibly falling at an inch an hour are forecast across the Sange de Cristo Mountains and the adjacent high plains of northern and north-central New Mexico and south-central Colorado.

Taos Ski Valley has seen steady snow during the day and may see as much as a foot from the the storm.  The ski area likes to open by Thanksgiving, so any accumulation now helps build the base for later storms and snowmaking.

Ski Santa Fe received little more than a dusting early in the day but reported heavier snowfall in the afternoon.  And Pajarito Ski area, which suffered some damage when the Las Conchas Fire ripped through the Jemez Mountains, also reported a fresh cover of snow.

In Colorado the Wolf Creek Ski area above Pagosa Springs reported 14 inches of fresh snow by midafternoon bringing its total so far this fall to 60 inches.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation reports difficult driving conditions on U.S. Highway 64 in the Eagle Nest and Cimarron Canyon areas east of Taos, U.S. 64 east of Raton and Interstate 25 near Raton and over Raton Pass into Colorado.

Snow also was falling around Springer where driving conditions were described as fair.

At 6 p.m. NMDOT released this update on driving conditions:

• NM 121, DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS from mile marker 5 to mile marker 8 (Chacon Area), snowing moderate to heavy with accumulation. Crews are out plowing. Motorists are to use caution and reduce their speed in this area.
   
• NM 434, DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS from mile marker 19 to mile marker 26 (Guadalupita to Black Lake), snowing moderate to heavy with accumulation. Crews are out plowing. Motorists are to use caution and reduce their speed in this area.
   
• NM 518, DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS from mile marker 39 to mile marker 44.5 (Holman Hill) snowing moderate to heavy with accumulation. Crews are out plowing. Motorists are to use caution and reduce their speed in this area.

NMDOT 4:30 p.m. update:

• I-25, DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS (Raton Pass) from mile marker 454 to mile marker 460, it is snowing moderate to heavy with some accumulation on the roadway. Crews are out plowing. Motorists are to use caution in this area and reduce their speed.
   
• US 64/87, DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS (Raton to 15 miles West of Capulin) from mile marker 350 to mile marker 370.5, it is snowing moderate to heavy with some accumulation on the roadway. Crews are out plowing. Motorists are to use caution in this area and reduce their speed.
   
• US 64, DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS from mile marker 339 to mile marker 344 (I-25 exit to Raton Airport), it is snowing moderate to heavy with some accumulation on the roadway. Crews are out plowing, salting and cindering. Motorists are to use caution in this area and reduce their speed.
   
• US 64, DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS from mile marker 272.5 to mile marker 303 (Taos Canyon to Cimarron Canyon), snowing light to moderate with 1 " accumulation. Crews are out plowing. Motorists are to use caution and reduce their speed in this area.
   
• NM 434, DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS from mile marker 26 to mile marker 36 (Angel Fire to Black Lake), snowing light to moderate with 1" accumulation. Crews are out plowing. Motorists are to use caution and reduce their speed in this area.
   
• I-25, DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS from mile marker 447 to mile marker 450 (I-25 exit 446 to Raton), it is snowing moderate to heavy with some accumulation on the roadway. Crews are out plowing, salting and cindering. Motorists are to use caution in this area and reduce their speed.

NMDOT 3 p.m. update:

• US 64, DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS from mile marker 288 to mile marker 296 (Eagle Nest to Idlewild), snowing light to moderate with 1 " accumulation. Crews are out plowing. Motorists are to use caution and reduce their speed in this area.