High Wind in Upper Tularosa Valley, New Mexico

A mesonet station near Carrizozo measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.

As a storm system tracked to the north of New Mexico on April 11-12, 2022, it steered a potent polar jet over the state. With a continued deep surface low pressure system over northeastern New Mexico and ample deep mixing across all of northern and central New Mexico, windy conditions persisted. Winds peaked on April 12th as the core of the jet crossed the state, and many areas measured wind gusts in excess of 58 mph. The strongest winds during this event were recorded along and east of the central mountain chain which was in closer proximity to the deep surface low. Ruidoso and areas nearby were hardest hit with several hours of wind gusts of 70 to 80 mph. With exceptionally dry conditions also present, this fueled the start for the McBride Fire which prompted evacuation orders and was responsible for the deaths of two citizens. These conditions also helped to start the Big Hole Fire near Belen as well as the Nogal Canyon Fire near Capitan, which threatened multiple homes and structures.