It’s Impossible To Forget The Year New Mexico Saw Its Single Largest Snowfall Ever

Does it snow in New Mexico? New Mexico isn't exactly known as a blizzard-prone state with constant freezes and dangerous ice storms. Mountaintops are coated in snow, residents have taken to the slopes, and we've even woken up a few mornings to see fresh, glittering snow on trees and in yards - but it usually doesn't get too crazy. Then, however, we're occasionally left thinking about winter storms of years past. Did you know that a winter storm in 2006 broke records around the state for the most snowfall in a single day? If you lived in New Mexico during this time, you remember the Albuquerque blizzard all too well.

In the last days of 2006, a massive snowstorm blanketed the state and broke snowfall records.

In many areas, New Mexico turned into a winter wonderland of enchantment.

The snow began drifting down on Friday, December 29, seeming like any other snowy night.

In the morning though? It was a different story.

In Albuquerque, people woke up to 11.3 inches of snow, breaking records. Other parts of the state reported even more snow!

Red River received 31 inches, Santa Fe saw 25.3 inches, and a ranch near Pecos reported receiving 45 inches. In Clayton, residents reported seeing 15-foot snowdrifts and winds over 50 mph!

In some parts of the state, residents were snowbound.

Some motorists were stranded on roadsides overnight. Businesses closed, the power went out, and dozens of flights were canceled in the aftermath of this New Mexico snowstorm.

...and the snow kept falling.

Within a couple of days, a state of emergency was declared in 12 counties.

The National Guard was called in to assist by clearing roadways, delivering supplies to rural residents, and helping stranded motorists.

Alternatively, some people took advantage of all that snowfall and days off for some fun.

Were you here in New Mexico during the Albuquerque blizzard? What was your experience like?

As far as New Mexico snowstorms go, this one was one of the most intense snowstorms the state had ever seen.

Did you know the blizzard of 1967 saw just as much snow but was even more disastrous, resulting in 51 deaths? You can read more in A Terrifying, Deadly Storm Struck New Mexico In 1967 And No One Saw It Coming.