Farmington, New Mexico

... Wintry weather to impact much of New Mexico over the latter part
of the Holiday weekend...

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

This powerful weather system... will dive south along the California
coastline on Saturday before turning southeast across southern
Arizona and finally across northern Mexico by Monday. Precipitation
will likely begin in the form of rain across all but the highest
elevations on Saturday. However... rain will quickly turn to snow
and increase in coverage Saturday night across much of western and
northern New Mexico as colder air filters into the area.

On Sunday... the focus for precipitation will shift east and south
as a very strong cold front plunges south across the eastern
plains. This will put an abrupt end to the above normal
temperatures that New Mexico has been experiencing... and will result
in much of the precipitation that falls to be in the form of snow. By
Monday... much of the snow is expected to remain across southern
New Mexico before tapering off Monday night.

At this time... it remains unclear what areas will be impacted the
most by this system. This is largely due to the fact that the exact
track and timing of the weekend weather system remains uncertain.
Nonetheless... 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.