Winter storm to hit New Mexico starting Thursday night

ALBQUERQUE, N.M. – Forecasters say a major winter storm will hammer New Mexico in the next few days with significant snowfall accumulations and bitterly cold wind chills, along with road closures and other travel impacts.

The National Weather Service encourages people travelling the region to prepare for dangerous winter weather conditions, and says driving in the mountains and plateaus could be difficult to impossible.

The storm was expected to strike the state Thursday night through Saturday, first taking aim at northern and central New Mexico. Heavy snow is expected on the eastern plains Friday.

Wind gusts in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas are expected to reach up to 60 mph (97 kph), and cause blowing and drifting snow with whiteout conditions at times.