High Wind in Union County, New Mexico

The Clayton Airport reported a peak wind gust of 63 mph. Various other mesonet stations reported wind gusts of 58 to 60 mph.

A strong upper level storm system crossing the western U.S. brought a strong portion of the jetstream over NM March 30, 2023. Aided by a deep surface low pressure system over eastern CO, strong winds aloft reached the surface throughout the day. These winds did not entirely die off overnight and turned westerly and then northwesterly on March 31, 2023. Wind speeds restrengthened to high wind speeds again on March 31st focused mostly through east-central and northeastern NM before finally tapering off through the afternoon. Peak wind gusts generally ranged from 60 to 70 mph with a top speed of 86 mph being observed at the Magdalena Ridge Observatory. Wind damage was also reported along I-25 at Tijeras and in Estancia on March 30th. Reduced visibility from isolated blowing dust along I-25 was also reported at Wagon Mound and observed on satellite near Springer.