High Wind in Union County, New Mexico

The mesonet southwest of Clayton observed a peak wind gust of 67 mph. A peak gust of 65 mph was also observed at the Clayton LRC mesonet. Peak high wind gusts of 60 mph were also observed at the Clayton Municipal Airport ASOS and at the Amistad mesonet. The Clayton ASOS also observed peak sustained winds of 47 mph.

A strong Pacific cold front moved through the state during the early morning hours of April 6th resulting in high wind gusts across the central mountain chain and highlands. Daytime mixing of stronger winds aloft behind the Pacific cold front and at the base of an upper level low allowed these high wind gusts to spread into the eastern plains of the state come the late morning hours persisting into the evening hours around sunset. High winds resulted in some downed trees and powerlines in Ruidoso and some downed powerlines in Clovis. Winds across the eastern plains tapered off come sunset, but persisted across the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and adjacent highlands due to mountain wave activity through the morning hours of April 7th. Winds in these locations tapered off midday April 7th.

Keyword: High Winds.