New Mexico
New Mexico’s winter forecast: What New Mexicans can expect this season
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Winter started off strong in New Mexico this year with an early season snowstorm in November. That storm dropped several inches of snow around the Albuquerque Metro with record-breaking snowfall in Las Vegas and feet of snow in the mountains. Another storm brought heavy snowfall to the Sacramento Mountains and rain to southern New Mexico in the middle of November. So how does the rest of this winter look?
Usually, the mountains in northern New Mexico see their first average snowfall as early as the middle of October, with the rest of northern New Mexico usually seeing it around the middle of November. For Albuquerque, the average first snowfall is usually towards the end of November. While parts of southern New Mexico see their first snowfall in December, except for the Sacramento Mountains where it usually comes in November.
Average snowfall amounts vary widely across the state thanks to our varying geography. Average snowfall varies anywhere from about an inch in Las Cruces, to around 8″ in Roswell and Albuquerque, to as much as nearly two feet of snow in Santa Fe and 300″ in the Taos Ski Valley!
La Niña
This year, our winter forecast has relied heavily on climate forecast models, along with the influence of a weak La Niña, and previous winters that have similar La Niña conditions. Typically, La Niña means drier than average conditions across the southwest United States, with near average to slightly warmer than average temperatures.
The Climate Prediction Center’s winter outlook for December, January, and February follows this winter La Niña pattern. They are forecasting likely drier than average conditions across New Mexico, with a higher confidence in the southern half of the state. They are also forecasting for likely warmer than average temperatures across New Mexico, again with higher confidence in southern and southwestern parts of the state.
Our Winter Forecast
Looking at long-range forecasts, considering the effect La Niña and other climate patterns may have, and comparing the current climate conditions to a previously similar winter, the KRQE News 13 team of meteorologists have put together this outlook for the 2023-2024 winter in New Mexico:
We are forecasting below-average precipitation across most of the state from December through February. Parts of far northern and northeastern New Mexico, along with southern Colorado will likely see around average precipitation this winter. Most of the state will also see above-average temperatures overall, with warmer temperatures across southern and western New Mexico. Parts of eastern New Mexico and far northern New Mexico along with southern Colorado could see temperatures that are closer to average thanks to backdoor cold fronts and an overall winter pattern that may favor Colorado for snow and colder temperatures.
The KRQE News 13 team of meteorologists also took our best guesses at just how much snow Albuquerque is going to see this winter. Below you will find each meteorologist’s forecast. On average, Albuquerque usually sees 7.9″ of snow each winter.
DONA ANA COUNTY, N.M. – (KFOX14/CBS4) — Some El Paso Electric customers in New Mexico are speaking out against a proposed rate increase that could raise the average monthly household bill by more than $40 by late next year.
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, which will decide whether to approve the proposal, held a public comment hearing earlier this week in Las Cruces.
During the meeting, customers and community members questioned the size of the request and whether the utility is doing enough to serve customers in southern New Mexico.
“This is a border town. It is a college town. It is a retiree town. It’s a military town. We’re not rich like Santa Fe, and the rates just keep going up and up and up,” said Kathy Lucero, a Las Cruces resident.
“We ratepayers and energy consumers should not be asked to subsidize these excessive profits,” said Lynn Moore, a Dona Ana County resident.
El Paso Electric is asking for a $70.4 million increase to its base rates for customers in New Mexico.
El Paso Electric seeks $70.4M hike; average NM bills could rise nearly $42 a month
The utility says the request is needed to recover costs from more than $400 million in New Mexico system investments, including upgrades, reliability improvements and rising costs.
After the hearing, Israel Chavez, a local civil rights attorney, said accessibility is also a concern as the utility asks customers to pay more.
“El Paso Electric closed its office on Water Street. There is no physical office to go to if you live with a disability, if you don’t have the technology to access your utility bill or to talk to somebody, there is no place to go unless you go to El Paso. And I think it’s wrong for El Paso Electric to cut services and then increase rates,” Chavez said.
In a statement addressing concerns about access, El Paso Electric said, “El Paso Electric continues to provide reliable service, along with a range of customer support resources to meet diverse needs, including assistance with account access, bill understanding, and payments.”
The utility added, “We recognize that changes like this can have its challenges, particularly for customers who may face barriers to technology or prefer in-person support. However, we remain committed to ensuring our customers feel supported and have access to the help they need when they need it.”
El Paso Electric said customers can still manage their accounts online, call customer care, or use authorized payment kiosks throughout its service area.
The New Mexico PRC has not made a final decision on the rate request.
If approved, the increase would start taking effect next year in two phases.
FULL PUBLIC COMMENT HEARING
Final community meeting on proposed EPE rate hike in New Mexico draws mixed reactions
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CHIMAYO, N.M. (KRQE) – A suspect is dead following a shooting involving the Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office in Chimayo on Highway 76. Deputies are said to be okay. New Mexico State Police is investigating the shooting.
KRQE News 13 will provide updates as they become available.
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — A leader in the New Mexico Republican Party was arrested Wednesday, accused of a deadly hit-and-run in Las Cruces.
Former Treasurer of the Republican Party in New Mexico, Kimberly Ann Skaggs, 54, was arrested Wednesday and charged with leaving the scene and tampering with evidence, jail records show.
Police documents show the charges stem from a deadly hit-and-run crash that happened Monday afternoon, which killed 40-year-old bicyclist, Andrew Brown.
Investigators believed Skaggs was involved after an investigation revealed that Skaggs allegedly was driving fast in the area, fled the scene after the crash and then tried to hide the vehicle from authorities.
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The investigation
According to police documents, a witness at the scene of the crash– 850 N. Fairacres Rd.– described seeing a dark blonde-haired woman flee in a black Cadillac Escalade SUV.
Afterwards, investigators said they saw on Flock cameras– A.I. powered license plate readers– a black Cadillac Escalade traveling near the site of the crash minutes before the incident.
READ MORE: Dona Ana County expands Flock license plate cameras as officials cite crime-solving gains
The license plates showed that the vehicle belonged to Skaggs and that, in September 2025, the Las Cruces Police Department had given her a citation for “racing on streets-exhibition driving.”
Investigators stated that a business on Picacho Ave. captured what they alleged was the same black Cadillac Escalade driving fast.
Then, the documents described how investigators tracked down the Escalade using OnStar’s live GPS tracking, discovering the SUV was at a property on the 5000 block of Northwind Road, which investigators said the Dona Ana County Assessors Office confirmed is a property owned by Skaggs.
On Tuesday, at around 6:41 p.m.– over 24 hours after the deadly hit-and-run– investigators executed a search warrant on the property and described finding the black Cadillac Escalade behind a home, under a red metal carport.
Investigators noted damage on the SUV consistent with the crash, highlighting that there was blood splatter near one of the front tires, markings on the front bumper consistent with hitting a bicycle and parts missing, which investigators said were the same parts found at the scene.
Dona Ana County jail records show Skaggs was booked on Wednesday afternoon and remains jailed without a bond.
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About Skaggs
On the official website of the Republican Party of New Mexico, Skaggs was listed as the treasurer before she was removed.
KFOX14/CBS4 has reached out to the Republican Party to learn more and are waiting for a comment regarding the arrest.
Also, according to election statistics, Skaggs ran for State Representative in District 36 in 2022 and 2024, losing both times to Democrat Nathan P. Small.
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