Blizzard conditions hamper travel

Hazardous driving conditions and road closures were seen Monday in Quay County after a blizzard struck the region.

Heavy snow began falling by midmorning Monday in Tucumcari amid strong winds. Roads rapidly became snow-covered and slick.

That prompted the early closings of Tucumcari, Logan and San Jon schools.

All three districts went to a two-hour delay for the start of classes on Tuesday.

Quay County government also closed at noon on Monday.

Westbound Interstate 40 from Tucumcari to Santa Rosa was closed much of Monday because of a traffic pileup near Cuervo that involved at least 30 vehicles. Several injuries and one death were reported there, according to New Mexico State Police.

Eastbound I-40 from Tucumcari also was closed to the Texas line much of Monday.

The closures left many travelers stuck in Tucumcari and Santa Rosa. Authorities reopened the interstate late Monday.

I-40 in Texas also was closed west of Soncy Road on Amarillo’s west side for much of Monday, as was part of U.S. 54 in the Panhandle.

The blizzard came as a surprise. High winds, but only a light dusting of snow, were in the forecast the day before. The worst weather was predicted for only the Clayton area.

Instead, several inches of new snow and 45 mph wind gusts from the storm were reported Monday at Tucumcari Municipal Airport, creating visibility problems and icy roads. The National Weather Service didn’t issue the blizzard warning until after 3 a.m. Monday.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation’s road conditions map indicated difficult or severe driving conditions in all of the northeast part of the state on Monday.

The snow in Tucumcari ended by the afternoon, but blustery winds persisted until Monday night.