High Wind in South Central Highlands, New Mexico

Several mesonet sites on the White Sands Missile Range reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 65 mph as northeast canyon winds developed behind a potent backdoor cold front.

An upper-level storm system approaching from the Pacific northwest moved southeast through the Great Basin into the southern Rockies on November 24, 2022. A potent backdoor cold front also moved south through the Front Range and delivered strong winds to the eastern plains along with much colder air. The upper-level storm system then became nearly stationary over the Permian Basin through November 25, 2022 and allowed widespread rain and snow to impact areas from the central mountain chain into eastern NM. Wind gusts of 45 to 65 mph impacted eastern NM, especially the northeast plains where a semi-truck was blown over along U.S. Highway 64/87. Snowfall amounts ranged from four to eight inches primarily across the east central and southeast plains where a couple road closures occurred.