High Wind — South Central Mountains, New Mexico

2024-05-25 · South Central Mountains, New Mexico

Event narrative

The Lincoln #2 Portable RAWS measured a brief wind gust of 62 mph. Strong winds transported smoke from the Blue 2 fire in the Lincoln National Forest over Ruidoso resulting in poor air quality in the town.

Wider weather episode

An upper-level trough traversed through the central and southern Rockies north of New Mexico during the day May 25th. This helped increase mid and upper-level winds over the state. Deep daytime mixing by the afternoon tapped into the stronger winds aloft with some stronger gusts mixing down to the surface. A brief wind gust of 62 mph was observed at the Lincoln Portable #2 RAWS north of Ruidoso. The strong southwest to west winds helped transport smoke from the Blue 2 Fire in the Lincoln National Forest east over Ruidoso and across parts of east central and southeast New Mexico. Winds tapered off after sunset.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1169068. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.