Thunderstorm Wind — Union, New Mexico

2024-09-17 · near Clayton, Union, New Mexico

Event narrative

Severe wind gusts from a storm heading directly toward Texline, TX blew through Clayton, NM, knocking out power for to an estimated 15 hours. Three power poles were reported down by the Southwestern Electric Cooperative.

Wider weather episode

The combination of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the remnants of Tropical Storm Ileana across eastern NM underlaid strengthening southwesterly flow aloft ahead of an approaching storm system over UT and ID. The strong shear and abundant moisture allowed for scattered strong to severe thunderstorms to develop along the central mountain chain and Rio Grande Valley by the early afternoon. Thunderstorm activity then advanced eastward toward the TX line through the afternoon and early evening hours. Individual storm cells were able to transport high winds aloft to the surface in several locations across eastern NM, including Clayton, Nara Visa, San Jon, Santa Fe and Portales, NM. Power outages were reported along with large tree limbs being snapped.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.4500, -103.1800)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1203069. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.