High Wind in South Central Mountains, New Mexico

Sierra Blanca Regional Airport measured peak wind gusts of 78 mph and peak sustained winds of 56 mph. Additionally, a mesonet station Nogal measured a 59 mph wind gust and a public station near Carrizozo measured a 58 mph wind gust.

The combination of very dry antecedent ground conditions and very dry and strong southwesterly flow ahead of a closed upper low over the Great Basin region brought widespread high wind gusts and blowing dust across mainly central and eastern NM during the afternoon and early evening of April 27th. Peak wind gusts of 58 to 80 mph were observed across the area. Blowing dust causing near zero visibility resulted in the closure of the Roswell Relief Route, as well as the closure of NM Highway 2 at Hagerman, NM. The high winds and low humidity resulted in extreme critical fire weather conditions. Unfortunately two fires broke out, the Otero and Balsam Fires near Socorro and Grants, NM respectively. The Balsam Fire destroyed 6 structures and 8 outbuildings. Conditions improved during the evening as winds began to subside.