A powerful winter storm is bearing down on West Texas and southeastern New Mexico today, with forecasters warning of dangerous blizzard conditions in the Guadalupe Mountains and disruptive snow and ice across a wider swath of the region.

Travelers, holidaymakers and local residents are being urged to rethink plans, prepare for rapidly deteriorating conditions and expect major impacts on some of the Southwest’s most scenic driving and hiking routes.

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Blizzard Warning Targets Guadalupe Mountains Pass Corridor

The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for the Guadalupe Mountains of far West Texas and Eddy County in southeastern New Mexico through late Monday, December 29, 2025. Forecasters expect total snowfall of around 3 to 6 inches in the high terrain, combined with wind gusts that could peak near 50 miles per hour. Those ingredients are likely to produce periods of whiteout conditions, especially along exposed ridgelines and through Guadalupe Pass, the primary highway route cutting across the range.

Visibility is expected to drop below one quarter of a mile at times as snow falls and is whipped into the air by strong winds. Even modest snowfall amounts can become far more hazardous when blowing and drifting snow obscures lane markings and hides patches of ice. Officials warn that bridges, overpasses and lightly traveled secondary roads will be particularly treacherous, with slick surfaces and snowdrifts making it easy for vehicles to lose traction or slide off the pavement.

The warning covers the Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains on the Texas side, as well as the high-country portions of Eddy County in New Mexico. Meteorologists describe the incoming system as one of the more dangerous winter setups in recent years for this part of the Southwest, where steep elevation changes and open terrain combine to magnify high winds and shifting snow.

Winter Storm and Weather Advisories Spread Across West Texas and New Mexico

Beyond the core blizzard zone, a patchwork of Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories stretches across parts of southeastern New Mexico and West Texas. In New Mexico, heavier snow is forecast for the plains of Eddy County and portions of Chaves and Otero counties, where totals of 3 to 8 inches are possible, particularly in higher elevations and along key mountain corridors. These areas will not see the same level of blowing snow as the Guadalupe range, but will still face difficult driving and reduced visibility at times.

Farther east and south, lighter but still disruptive snowfall is expected in counties of the Permian Basin and adjacent regions. Many communities west of Midland and Odessa are under advisories that call for 1 to 3 inches of snow, with localized icing on roads and sidewalks. Strong winds on the back side of the system will enhance the risk of slick conditions, especially overnight as temperatures drop into the twenties.

While some urban centers, including Midland and Odessa, may escape the heaviest snow and are not under the most serious alerts, forecasters caution residents and visitors not to dismiss the broader impacts. Even a dusting of snow combined with freezing temperatures can create black ice on less-traveled roads, rural highways and hillier terrain. The storm is expected to move eastward after Monday, gradually winding down across the region, but not before leaving travel disruptions and lingering icy patches in its wake.

Impact on Travel, Tourism and Holiday Plans

The timing of the storm could complicate late December travel for both local residents and visitors exploring the desert mountain parks of Texas and New Mexico. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, a popular destination for hikers seeking summit views from Guadalupe Peak, is directly in the path of the worst weather. With winds howling across exposed ridgelines and snow rapidly obscuring trail markers, backcountry travel may become extremely dangerous or impossible for much of the day.

Road travel is expected to be severely affected across the Guadalupe Pass corridor and surrounding highways. Authorities are already urging people to avoid nonessential trips through higher elevations until conditions improve. Commercial truck drivers and long-distance motorists using routes between El Paso, Carlsbad, Midland and the broader Permian Basin may face closures, long delays or detours as visibility drops and snow accumulates on steep grades.

Air travel knock-on effects cannot be ruled out, especially at smaller regional airports that may experience low visibility, deicing delays or strong crosswinds on Monday. While the largest hubs in Texas are located well away from the worst of the storm, passengers connecting through West Texas or southeastern New Mexico are advised to check with their airlines and monitor weather-driven scheduling changes.

For leisure travelers, the storm may bring dramatic winter scenery to typically sunbaked landscapes, yet the immediate priority remains safety. Tourism businesses in gateway communities such as Carlsbad and Van Horn are advising guests to remain flexible with itineraries, build in extra travel time and be ready to postpone hikes, scenic drives and cave or canyon excursions until after the storm has passed.

Guadalupe Mountains: From Hiking Destination to High-Risk Zone

The Guadalupe Mountains occupy a unique spot on the travel map as a dramatic limestone range that rises abruptly from the surrounding desert, straddling the Texas-New Mexico border. The area includes the highest point in Texas at Guadalupe Peak and offers a network of rugged trails that typically attract hikers seeking clear desert skies and expansive views. During this winter storm, however, the same exposed ridges and steep canyons that make the park spectacular are turning it into a high-risk environment.

Forecasts indicate that as snow begins to fall and winds pick up, conditions above roughly 7,000 feet will deteriorate quickly. Whiteout conditions could set in with little warning, making route-finding difficult even for experienced hikers familiar with the terrain. Wind chill values will plunge well below freezing at elevation, raising the risk of hypothermia and frostbite for anyone caught outside without full winter gear.

Park visitors should expect that trails, campgrounds and even access roads could close on short notice. Mountain passes and scenic overlooks that are routine stops in fair weather may become inaccessible once snow starts drifting across narrow roads. Authorities emphasize that travelers must heed barricades and alerts, and resist the urge to attempt closed routes or unplowed side roads, which can quickly become impassable.

What Travelers Should Do Now

For those already in the region, the most important step is to limit movement during the height of the storm. Local and state transportation agencies in Texas and New Mexico are urging drivers to postpone nonessential trips, particularly through the Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains and nearby high plains. Travelers who must be on the road are advised to carry a winter survival kit with extra warm clothing or blankets, water, snacks, a flashlight, and a fully charged phone and power bank.

Motorists should reduce speed well below posted limits, increase following distance, and avoid sudden braking or sharp turns that can send a vehicle skidding on icy surfaces. Four-wheel drive and traction control can help, but they are no guarantee in whiteout conditions or on black ice, particularly on curves and overpasses. Drivers who become stranded are urged to stay with their vehicles, conserve fuel and battery power, and wait for assistance rather than trying to walk for help in near-zero visibility.

Visitors staying at hotels, cabins or campgrounds should monitor local forecasts, emergency alerts and any advisories issued by park rangers or law enforcement. Travel insurance that covers weather-related disruptions can be valuable when flights, tours or accommodations need to be rearranged at short notice. Flexible booking policies at many properties in the region may allow travelers to shift reservations to later in the week, when conditions are expected to improve and temperatures begin to rebound ahead of the New Year.

Broader Weather Pattern Across the United States

The winter storm impacting Texas and New Mexico is part of a larger pattern bringing hazardous weather to a wide stretch of the United States. While the Southwest deals with snow and blizzard conditions in the mountains, other states farther north and east are confronting their own mix of heavy snow, freezing rain and gusty winds. Multiple National Weather Service offices have highlighted the potential for travel disruptions across several regions as the system slides eastward and interacts with colder air.

In the context of this broader setup, the Guadalupe Mountains represent one of the more extreme pockets of impact due to their terrain and exposure. Comparatively modest snow totals can have outsized effects when funneled through mountain passes and along elevated highways. As the storm moves on, colder-than-normal temperatures are likely to linger across the Southern Plains and parts of the Southwest, maintaining the risk of refreezing on roads overnight even after snowfall ends.

For travelers mapping multi-state road trips or cross-country journeys, this means that careful route planning is essential over the next couple of days. Roads that appear clear on a map may pass through localized hotspots of treacherous weather conditions, particularly at higher elevations. Checking real-time road condition reports and updated weather briefings before departure will be crucial to avoiding unexpected closures and dangerous stretches.

FAQ

Q1: Where is the blizzard expected to be the worst in this storm?
The most severe conditions are forecast for the Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains on the Texas-New Mexico border, especially along Guadalupe Pass, where heavy snow and wind gusts up to around 50 miles per hour could create whiteout conditions.

Q2: How much snow could the Guadalupe Mountains receive?
Forecasters currently expect roughly 3 to 6 inches of snow in the higher terrain of the Guadalupe Mountains, with drifts piling higher in open and exposed areas due to strong winds.

Q3: Which nearby areas are under Winter Storm Warnings?
Parts of southeastern New Mexico, including the plains of Eddy County and portions of Chaves and Otero counties, are under Winter Storm Warnings for heavier snow, with accumulations that may reach or exceed several inches in some spots.

Q4: What about the rest of West Texas and southeastern New Mexico?
Many surrounding counties are under Winter Weather Advisories, where 1 to 3 inches of snow and pockets of ice are possible, enough to make roads slick and hazardous, especially overnight and on less-traveled routes.

Q5: Is it safe to drive through Guadalupe Pass during the storm?
Authorities and forecasters strongly discourage nonessential travel through Guadalupe Pass while the Blizzard Warning is in effect, as visibility may drop below one quarter of a mile and drifting snow can quickly make the highway extremely dangerous.

Q6: How will this storm affect hiking and outdoor activities in the Guadalupe Mountains?
Hiking and backcountry travel in the Guadalupe Mountains will be high risk during the storm, with strong winds, blowing snow and rapidly falling temperatures making trails difficult to follow and significantly increasing the danger of exposure.

Q7: Are major Texas cities impacted by this blizzard?
Major metropolitan areas in Texas are not in the direct blizzard zone, but some communities in West Texas and the Permian Basin may see light snow, icy roads and travel delays as the broader winter storm moves through.

Q8: What should travelers pack if they must be on the road?
Anyone who must travel should carry a winter kit that includes warm clothes or blankets, water, nonperishable snacks, a flashlight, basic tools, a scraper or brush, and a fully charged phone with a backup power source.

Q9: How long is the blizzard expected to last?
The Blizzard Warning for the Guadalupe Mountains is in effect through late Monday, December 29, 2025, with the most hazardous conditions expected from Monday morning through the evening before the system gradually weakens and moves away.

Q10: When will conditions improve for tourism and outdoor plans?
Conditions should slowly improve after the storm exits late Monday into Tuesday, but lingering cold and icy spots are likely. Travelers planning hikes or scenic drives are advised to wait for updated park and road status reports and consider shifting major outdoor activities to later in the week when temperatures moderate and surfaces have time to thaw.