Red River residents experienced the Taos Valley’s first notable snowfall of the season on Saturday, Nov. 14, a weather event that brings both travel challenges and excitement for the upcoming ski season.
According to Taos News, the National Weather Service in Albuquerque described the conditions as “raw and gloomy” and issued a winter weather advisory for the Tres Piedras and Tusas Mountains area, which includes the stretch of U.S. 64 that runs through Red River. The advisory, effective until 9 p.m. Saturday, warned motorists to expect slick road conditions and reduced visibility, especially at higher elevations.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) sent a 1:30 p.m. Saturday email advising that “roads are snow packed and icy” along U.S. 64 between Tres Piedras and Tierra Amarilla. Crews are actively salting and sanding the route, and drivers were instructed to stay at least 50 feet behind snowplows and to drive with caution.
Snow mixed with rain continued to fall in the Upper Rio Grande Valley into the night, with patchy freezing fog expected Sunday morning. High temperatures on Sunday are forecast to reach about 50 °F, while lows will dip into the 20s overnight Saturday and Sunday, according to the weather service.
Snow accumulation was evident at the Poco Gusto web camera in Taos Ski Valley, which showed nearly 5 inches of snow by 1 p.m. The resort reported a base depth of 9 inches Saturday, with Open Snow forecasting 4‑8 inches of daytime snowfall. The National Weather Service projected 3‑7 inches of daytime snowfall for the area.
For Red River’s winter recreation, the Red River Ski and Summer Area announced its season opening for Nov. 25. Nearby resorts are also gearing up: Taos Ski Valley and Ski Santa Fe will open on Thanksgiving Day, Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort begins on Nov. 20, Angel Fire Resort on Dec. 11, and Pajarito Mountain on Dec. 4.
Looking ahead, the weather service indicated an 80 percent chance of additional snow and rain returning to Taos County late Tuesday night, Nov. 17, into Wednesday. Residents are encouraged to monitor NMDOT updates and plan travel accordingly.
What’s next: Motorists should continue to check NMDOT advisories for U.S. 64, especially as further precipitation is expected later this week. Ski enthusiasts can anticipate the Red River Ski and Summer Area’s opening on Nov. 25, marking the start of the local winter sports season.
Sources: taosnews.com
