High Wind — Northeast Highlands, New Mexico

2024-11-27 · Northeast Highlands, New Mexico

Event narrative

Las Vegas Municipal Airport observed high wind gusts up to 61 mph. Additionally, peak sustained winds of 45 mph were observed at the site during this time.

Wider weather episode

A potent disturbance dove southeast from the Pacific Northwest to the central Rockies on November 26th and 27th. This resulted in strong mid and upper level westerly winds to move over New Mexico during this time. Daytime mixing and mountain wave activity across the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and adjacent northeast highlands allowed these stronger winds aloft to move down to the surface with several gusts of 60 to 70 mph observed across these zones. The strongest gusts occurred during the early morning hours of November 27th from strong mountain wave activity. Additionally, the high wind gusts blew down some live pine trees near Rociada during the day on November 26th. Strong west winds tapered off during the mid to late morning hours as a backdoor front pushed south through the area.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1218815. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.