Winter storm cripples New Mexico, Colorado as disaster emergencies issued
New Mexico officials had to rescue stranded drivers overnight, Colorado has activated the National Guard.
Colorado, New Mexico pummeled by winter storm
A potentially historic snow storm for November is ongoing across Colorado and New Mexico. The governor in both states have declared disaster emergencies.
LITTLETON, Colo. – First responders had to rescue drivers stranded by snow overnight Friday and well into the morning, as a potentially historic winter storm had dumped more than 3 feet of snow on New Mexico and Colorado, with more to come.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency on Thursday and deployed the National Guard to provide winter weather support.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued two statewide emergency declarations, unlocking $1.5 million to help state agencies dig out.
The Union County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico reported that they rescued several stranded drivers on state and local roads Thursday evening into Friday morning.
WINTER STORM HAMMERS FAMED ROUTE 66 IN NEW MEXICO
![]()
Image 1 of 3First responders attempt to rescue stranded driver near Clayton, NM Friday morning. (Union County Sheriff's Office)
![]()
Image 2 of 3Road grader clears the way for first responders. (Union County Sheriff's Office)
![]()
Image 3 of 3First responders rescue stranded driver near Des Moines, NM overnight on Friday. (Union County Sheriff's Office)
A Blizzard Warning has been extended by the National Weather Service for the northeastern part of New Mexico until 11 p.m. local time on Friday.
The storm has caused impossible travel conditions along Interstate 25 and Interstate 40 in New Mexico heading into Saturday.
FOX Weather Exclusive Storm Tracker Brandon Copic reported that even snow plows got stuck on I-25 near Trinidad, Colorado. Semi-truck drivers had to pull over to the side of the interstate, as officials shuttled them to warming centers.
Winter weather strands drivers on I-25 in Trinidad, CO
Drivers stranded by snow on I-25 near Trinidad, Colorado, on Thursday evening (Brandon Copic/ FOX Weather).
Much of I-25 remains closed in the northern part of the state, including the Raton Pass which leads to Colorado. That interstate closure continues as far north as Pueblo. Colorado's Department of Transportation issued an announcement strongly discouraging travel and issued Winter Storm Warnings for I-70 east of Denver. Numerous state roads are closed across both states.
Looped video of snowfall in Trinidad, Colorado, Thursday night.
(Brandon Copic / FOX Weather)
Portions of I-70 in Colorado were shut down Wednesday due to the same system.
Winter storm snarls traffic on I-40 in New Mexico
Traffic on I-40 was at a standstill on Wednesday near Santa Rosa as winter storm slammed the Southwest (Ricardo Muniz via Storyful).
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque reported that over 100 vehicles were stranded on state highways after a semi-truck jack-knifed on Thursday afternoon.
Snowfall forecast for New Mexico.
(FOX Weather)
The FOX Forecast Center reports that the storm will pummel the mountains of New Mexico with extreme snow not seen in November in years.
"By the time the storm ends, we could be talking about snow totals as high as 6 feet along the eastern slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains," FOX Weather Meteorologist Stephen McCloud said.
Meteorologist Craig Herrera believed the best day to travel would be Sunday.
FOX WEATHER IS YOUR WINTER STORM HQ
Snow slows down travel in the Rockies
Snow closed parts of I-70 and I-25 in Colorado and New Mexico, the best day for travel looks to be Sunday (FOX Weather).
New Mexico's largest electricity provider, Power New Mexico, reported that the storm caused widespread power outages across the state on Thursday. According to the company's outage map, at least 43 thousand customers had been impacted by that afternoon. Some of those outages have been restored, more than eight thousand customers are still in the dark as of Friday morning.
Snow still to come for the Rockies through Saturday.
(FOX Weather)
The Denver metro area experienced a lull in accumulation on Thursday, but conditions are expected to further deteriorate from Thursday into Saturday as the storm moves back north. The heaviest snow is expected Friday night.