Strong Wind — Santa Fe Metro Area, New Mexico

2022-11-29 · Santa Fe Metro Area, New Mexico

Event narrative

The Santa Fe airport manager reported a massive snarl of tumbleweeds accumulated up to 15 feet high near an airport hangar. No damage was reported however cleanup efforts will take a significant amount of resources to dispose of all the tumbleweeds.

Wider weather episode

A strong upper-level storm system moved quickly east across NM with widespread strong west to northwest winds on November 28-29, 2022. The strongest winds impacted areas along the central mountain chain into the nearby highlands where gusts of 55 to 75 mph were reported. A massive snarl of tumbleweeds collected at the Santa Fe airport. Some very light snow also fell over the Tusas Mountains with this system.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1058778. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.