Weather Paralysis

Backyard at the hacienda

Because the Chihuahuan is a high desert (most of it above 4,000 feet), it's not unusual to see a snowfall or two during the colder months.  But yesterday's snow storm packed a tremendous wallop, temporarily paralyzing the region.  The morning temperature in Las Cruces, New Mexico was 5 degrees Farenheit (-15 Celsius).  For much of the morning I-10 was closed out of Las Cruces all the way to the state lines of Arizona and Texas.  Nevertheless, the trusty companion and I had to get out on the trail.  14 degrees F. when we started.

The Organ Mountains outside of Las Cruces, New Mexico

Low-hanging clouds

Peak peeking out

The 9100-foot Organ Mountains

Snow-covered Yucca

Snow on a Soaptree Yucca

Torrey Yuccas in snow

Snow-covered Tortugas (Tortoise) Mountain

Desert dog?

A beautiful Chihuahuan Desert snow

Prickly Pear Cactus on ice

Snow Day

It's been snowing since about noon today, threatening to leave quite an accumulation.  Naturally, I have to drive down the freeway to El Paso tomorrow morning.  Right now, the only road that isn't closed out of Las Cruces is the highway south to Texas.

Tortugas and the Organ Mountains in snow

Snow at the homestead

Moderately Miserable Hike

Frost on the pumpkin

This wasn't the worst weather we've hiked in by any stretch, but it was pretty miserable out there today:  cold air, no sun, and a stiff wind to create a barely bearable wind chill.  We shortened the hike because it was just too unpleasant to be out in the elements.  We did run into one mountain biker who looked as if he wished he'd never got out of bed this morning.

Good dog, bad weather

Middle section of the Organ Mountains

Road into the storm

The opposite direction

The snowy Organs

More snow to come

Sunday Fun Day

Snow sky

Dr. K, Becca and I did have fun on the trek this morning, but a stiff wind made it really chilly.  It seemed the longer we hiked the colder it got.  There's snow in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow, and it wouldn't surprise me if we get a dusting.  All the signs for wintry precipitation are there.


Becca on the trail



Wintry scene

Misty skies



The old observatory on Tortugas Mountain



Clouds beginning to obscure the Organ Mountains



Snow-capped Organ Mountains



The new observatory atop Tortugas (Organ Mountains behind)

Brutish Weather

Ice on the car windshield

We've had some really nasty weather the past few days--gale-force winds on Thursday into Friday morning, steady downpour lasting for hours Friday evening, and then snow overnight.  Because Becca and I were dressed properly, we didn't feel too cold on our morning hike.  But we have snow in the forecast again for Monday, and a low temperature of 20 degrees Farenheit. 

Fog in the Mesilla Valley

Trail runner



Snow on the Organ Mountains




Is that a coyote I see in the distance?



Here comes the sun, little darling

Tortugas and the Organ Mountains

Nasty Weather

We had horrible winds most of the day yesterday and into the wee hours of the morning today.  It was still very windy when Becca and I hit the trail this morning; and the overcast made it feel even colder.  We shortened our trek slightly because of the weather.  Not surprisingly, we saw nobody else in the outback.  Who, besides us, would be crazy enough to be out there?

Changes Coming

The leading edge of a cold front coming through

Toward the end of our hike this morning the wind really picked up, carrying a hint of the cold front that's coming through our area.  This is the same storm that pounded California with 97 mph winds.  Snow is in the forecast for Friday and Saturday, a somewhat rare event in this part of the desert.  Not so rare for the area around the High Desert Research Institute, where 6 to 10 inches are forecasted.


Brilliant sky over Tortugas



Watchdog



Half-and-half



A seriously deep foothills arroyo