Storm ravages Arizona, New Mexico

By Independent staff

Most of northern Arizona’s high country, including Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon and White Mountains, is under a winter storm warning until noon Monday. The west-central New Mexico mountains were also hit by more than 12 inches of snow Sunday and today.

In Gallup, more than 10 inches had fallen at 6 a.m. today, with heavier snowfall amounts reported on the Navajo Nation and in the Zuni Mountains. Side streets were covered with 9-12 inches of snow but most main roads were passable.

Snow plows were clearing main thoroughfares in Gallup on Sunday and early Monday. Interstate Highway 40 was open to traffic but snow covered. The National Weather Service says the storm could leave behind snow accumulations of a few inches at lower elevations of around 3,500 feet to 2-3 feet above 9,000 feet.

The snow level is expected to drop to 2 to 3 inches at 4,000 feet by early afternoon, with of snow possible, and more than 10 inches of snow above 5,000 feet and 10 to 18 inches expected above 7,000 feet. Weather.com reports an 80 percent chance of snow today and a 60 percent chance tonight.