Thanksgiving forecast: heavy snow, gusty winds

Eastern New Mexico should expect 4 to 8 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 55 mph for Thanksgiving Day, according to the National Weather Service.

NWS issued a winter storm warning for Curry, Quay and Roosevelt counties from 5 p.m. Thursday to 11 p.m. Friday. A wind advisory is in place until 5 p.m. Thursday.

“Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects,” the advisory noted. “Tree limbs may be blown down. Expect strong crosswinds on west-to-east oriented roadways.”

Snow was expected to begin falling early Thursday evening. “Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous,” NWS warned. “Visibilities may drop below ¼ mile due to falling and blowing snow.”

The weather service warned up to 1 foot of snow could fall across eastern Lincoln and southwest Chaves counties.