High Wind — Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains, New Mexico

2022-05-02 · Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains, New Mexico

Event narrative

A portable RAWS station east southeast of Cowles measured a peak wind gust of 62 mph.

Wider weather episode

As a storm system tracked eastward across Colorado on May 2, 2022, westerly flow across New Mexico strengthened in response. This increasing westerly flow quickly scoured out low-level moisture that had moved into eastern New Mexico the previous day, resulting in widespread very dry conditions. With the strongest winds aloft over the northern and central high terrain, the strongest westerly winds were measured in this area. A portable RAWS station in place for the ongoing Calf Canyon Fire in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains measured a peak wind gust of 62 mph while Clines Corners measured a wind gust of 60 mph.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1012328. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.