High Wind — South Central Mountains, New Mexico

2024-02-21 · South Central Mountains, New Mexico

Event narrative

The Sierra Blanca Airport recorded a peak wind gust of 59 mph. Sustained winds also reached a high of 43 mph. Blowing sand from Wind Sands National Park blew over the south-central mountains as well.

Wider weather episode

A weakening upper-level disturbance moved through the Desert Southwest and Four Corners on February 21st with a Pacific cold front sweeping through New Mexico at the surface. High wind impacts occurred at the Sierra Blanca airport in the Sacramento Mountains with a high sustained wind of 43 mph and wind gust of 59 mph. A 67 mph wind gust was observed at the Roswell airport in the Chaves County Plains, and 58 and 69 mph wind gusts at Dunken in southwest Chaves County. The 67 mph wind gust at Roswell came with haze as a visibility as low as 1.25 miles. Strong southwest and west winds tapered off gradually after sunset.

An upper level disturbance crossed the Desert Southwest February 21st with an associated surface cold front. Deep layer mixing allowed for strong winds aloft to reach most of northern and central NM during the afternoon period. High winds were observed at several locations over south-central and eastern NM including the Sierra Blanca Airport near Ruidoso, Roswell, and Dunken. Numerous dust sources, including the White Sands National Monument became activated blowing dust and sand across the Sacramento Mountains and over Chaves County. Low visibility falling to one and a quarter mile was observed at the Roswell Airport. Thankfully no impacts were reported.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1153369. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.