Cedar Crest, New Mexico

... Strong upper level storm system to impact much of New Mexico
in the latter part of the Holiday weekend...

A potent upper level low pressure system could bring significant
snowfall to many areas of New Mexico by late Saturday and continuing
into early Monday.

This powerful weather system... currently over the northeastern
Pacific waters... will dive southeastward over the next few days and
is expected to swing near or just south of the Mexican border by
Sunday and Monday. The storm will host a very cold airmass... and
will be able to acquire ample moisture as it tracks farther south.
This scenario will allow the storm to produce scattered to
possibly widespread areas of rain and snow over much of the state.

Snowfall will likely initiate in the higher terrain of western New
Mexico late Saturday afternoon... and as temperatures fall through
the nighttime hours Saturday and into Sunday morning... precipitation
is expected to increase in coverage as it spreads farther east.
Temperatures will remain cool through Sunday with many lower
elevation areas remaining cold enough for snowfall. Precipitation
is expected to gradually taper off from west to east late Sunday
night and into Monday as the storm system transitions eastward.

The exact track and timing of the weekend weather system remains
uncertain... however Holiday travelers will want to stay advised of
the latest forecasts and weather conditions as this weather event
unfolds. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio... the National Weather
Service website... or your preferred weather information source for
the latest forecasts and statements throughout the weekend.