Snow before Halloween in Las Cruces? Here's what the meteorologist is saying.

Updated 5:59 p.m.: This version includes information on COVID-19 tests being rescheduled and closures affecting Las Cruces Public Schools.

LAS CRUCES - The National Weather Service is predicting historic snowfall in Las Cruces this week.

If 1 to 2 inches of snow falls here, as predicted, it'll be the earliest in the season that snow has fallen on Las Cruces.

"For the period of record in Las Cruces it looks like the earliest snow fall was just a trace on Oct. 29, 1980 so if you were to get any measurable snow that would be the earliest on record," said Jason Grzywacz, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Agencies are making accommodations to account for the weather. The state department of health has canceled all COVID-19 tests scheduled Tuesday at the New Mexico Department of Health Office in Las Cruces.

Las Cruces Public Schools says online classes will continue, but there will be no pickup meal service.

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Rain could begin falling Monday evening, turning into sleet or snow overnight as temperatures drop to 31 degrees, the first freeze of the season.

Snow flurries may continue throughout the day Tuesday, with an expected high of 38 degrees, and continue overnight. Snow could fall until about 7 a.m. Wednesday.

The forecasted low temperature Tuesday night into Wednesday is 29 degrees.

Grzywacz said they're forecasting snowfall of up to 3 inches in Hatch, 1 to 2 inches in Las Cruces and a half-inch in El Paso. 

For both Las Cruces and El Paso, this week's snowfall would be the earliest measurable snow on record. 

The earliest snowfall on record in El Paso was on Oct. 28, 1980, when an inch of snow covered the ground. 

"Measurable snow is a 10th of an inch of snow that barely gets the ground covered, not just some flurries, but where it's noticeable on the ground," he said. 

Rest of the week

After a frigid day Tuesday, temperatures are expected to rise to a high of 53 during the day Wednesday and dip back to a low of 33 overnight.

Thursday's high is 62 with an overnight low of 36. Friday and Saturday will be slightly warmer.

By Sunday, the high temperature will be back in the 70s and the forecast calls for mostly sunny skies.

No snow is forecast into the first week of November, Grzywacz

Closures

In response to the forecast, Las Cruces Public Schools has announced it'll cancel some campus activities, including: 

• All grab-and-go meal sites, including bus deliveries.  
• Athletic practices.  
• In-person special education classes at Vista Middle School.  
• Scheduled SAT testing.  

The district reports remote learning will not be affected, and students are expected to be on scheduled Zoom calls.

Within the city, Branigan Memorial Library is making changes to curbside pick-up services. Beginning Tuesday through Friday, curbside pick-up will be moved to the front entrance from 9 a.m. to noon. Patrons who wish to pick up their materials may do so by coming to the front door.

Reached Monday, officials with Doña Ana County did not anticipate any interruptions in service.

Early voting sites will be not affected.

Around the state

Snow was already falling Monday in northern and central New Mexico, as officials warned residents and travelers that the worst was still to come.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque said the storm system was expected to reach peak intensity Tuesday with widespread winter-like effects, especially in the high terrain and across eastern New Mexico. They also predicted record-setting snowfall for many areas in central and northern New Mexico, saying travel would be difficult, if not impossible, and that road closures were likely.

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Up to 2 feet of snow was expected in the northern mountains, while there could be several inches to a foot in the central and eastern areas of the state. 

In Albuquerque, the city deployed crews to clear and salt the roads over the next 48 hours as the winter storm warning would be in effect through Wednesday evening. The crews were focused on major emergency routes, bridges and intersections.

The moisture offered a much needed break for many parts of the state that have gone weeks without rain. According to the latest drought map, the entire state is suffering from moderate drought or worse. It’s much different than last year, when just over one-third of the state was in that situation.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Bethany Freudenthal can be reached at bfreudenthal@lcsun-news.com, 575-541-5449 or @bethanyfreuden1 on Twitter.