1-25-2026 12:28pm

Alamogordo Residents Wake Up to a Rare Blanket of Snow as Winter Storm Lingers

Chris Edwards Editor

Alamogordo Residents Wake Up to a Rare Blanket of Snow as Winter Storm Lingers - AlamogordoTownNews.org

Alamogordo, NM – January 25, 2026 – Many Alamogordo citizens opened their curtains this morning to an unexpected winter wonderland: a light dusting of snow covering yards, vehicles, and rooftops, transforming the usually arid desert landscape into a serene, white scene.

The snowfall, part of a lingering winter storm system that has battered southern New Mexico since late last week, brought measurable accumulation to lowland areas around Alamogordo. While the heaviest impacts have hammered higher elevations—such as Cloudcroft and Ruidoso, where feet of snow have fallen, power outages persist, and additional inches are expected—valley residents in Otero County experienced a mix of light snow showers, flurries, and even some black ice on roads overnight into Sunday.

Local reports and weather observations indicate that snow began accumulating in spots around Alamogordo late Saturday night and continued intermittently through early morning. Residents described waking to temperatures in the mid-20s, heavy snow in some pockets, ice fog, and slick conditions on untreated streets. One longtime Alamogordo resident shared with 2nd Life Media that they “couldn’t believe their eyes” upon seeing snow on the ground, a rarity for the city at an elevation of about 4,300 feet, where winter precipitation more often comes as rain or trace amounts

The National Weather Service (NWS) has maintained Winter Weather Advisories for portions of southern New Mexico, including areas near Alamogordo, through Sunday morning. Forecasts noted snow showers possibly mixed with rain earlier, transitioning to all snow in colder pockets, with totals in the valley generally light—up to an inch or less in most lowland spots—but enough to create hazardous driving conditions in the early hours.

Nearby higher terrain has seen far more dramatic effects: the Sacramento and Capitan Mountains continue to receive heavy snow, with Cloudcroft under a Winter Weather Advisory expecting an additional 4–8 inches on top of prior accumulations. Power outages have been reported in areas like Sunspot due to snow-laden trees snapping lines. Ski resorts across New Mexico have benefited from the storm, gaining fresh powder after earlier rounds in January.

As the system exits, dangerously cold air is settling in behind it, with lows dipping into the teens or single digits tonight and wind chills making it feel even colder. NWS urges caution on roadways, especially bridges and overpasses prone to black ice, and advises residents to bundle up and check on neighbors during this cold snap.

For Alamogordo, today’s snow serves as a brief, picturesque reminder of winter’s reach even in the high desert—prompting smiles, snowball attempts by kids, and a rush to capture photos of the uncommon sight before it melts under tomorrow’s sun.

Stay tuned to KALH Radio and 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News for ongoing weather updates, road conditions, and any storm-related alerts from local authorities. The NWS El Paso office continues to monitor the region as the cold front pushes through.