Photos Show Desert Covered in Snow as Temperatures Plunge

Snow covered Interstate 40 through the desert landscape of New Mexico early Thursday morning as a winter storm moved across the region.

The storm is affecting much of the Southern U.S. as it moves eastward, prompting winter weather advisories issued across several states. On Thursday morning, snow began falling in New Mexico as temperatures dropped with the storm's arrival. Snow will continue to fall throughout the day. Meteorologists expect most of the state will see snowfall, with nearly 6 inches falling in some areas.

On Thursday morning, the snow blanketed the interstate and caused hazardous driving conditions.

"Snow in western NM has allowed for difficult driving conditions to develop across roads and highways in the area. Here is a current look at I-40 at the Continental Divide. Take it slow out there this morning!" the National Weather Service (NWS) in Albuquerque posted on X (formerly Twitter).

NWS meteorologist Jennifer Shoemake told Newsweek that up to 4 inches of snow had already fallen in west-central New Mexico, although the totals are normal for that area.

"This is definitely within the normal ranges for that area," Shoemake said. "Portions of western New Mexico get up over 7,000 feet, so this is pretty on par."

However, snow forecasts have caused some concern in northeastern New Mexico, which could receive nearly 6 inches.

"With this storm, we do have pretty significant totals across northeastern New Mexico," Shoemake said. "I wouldn't say it's abnormal, but it's certainly a little bit higher than what they're used to."

Meteorologists were concerned that the heavy band of snow would move into the Albuquerque metropolitan area during the morning rush hour. The band prompd the NWS office to issue a warning that a sudden drop in visibility is "likely" as the band continues its trek across the state. In a follow-up post, NWS Albuquerque shared a photo of the road conditions.

"A band of snow is moving across western NM along the I 40 corridor. @NMRoads511 cams are showing poor road conditions at Gallup and the Continental Divide," the NWS in Albuquerque posted Thursday morning. "This band should make it to the ABQ and Santa Fe come the latter stages of the morning commute."

Fog and freezing fog also contributed to the poor driving conditions in Curry and Roosevelt counties.

High temperatures on Thursday will be up to 15 degrees below normal in New Mexico, plunging as low as the low 30s in the central and northern parts of the state.

"This system is one of the colder ones we've had this season," NWS meteorologist Joshua Schroeder previously told Newsweek. "That's why, at least at this point, there's snow accumulation even down to the lower elevations."