High Wind in Northern Sangre De Cristo Mountains, New Mexico

Taos Ski Valley weather stations at Kachina Peak and Highline Ridge measured high wind gusts of 84 mph and 71 mph respectively. Additionally, these stations measured high sustained winds of 42 and 41 mph respectively between 5 am and 8 am MST. One to two inches of snow was observed in the zone during this time.

A deep upper level storm moved into the western U.S. early on February 17th with a lead disturbance moving over the Four Corners and Intermountain West. Strong mid and upper level winds at the base of this shortwave moved over New Mexico during this time. The Pacific cold front associated with this disturbance moved across the state during the morning hours of the day resulting in brief high wind gusts at several sites along and west of the central mountain chain coinciding with a period of rain and snow west of the Rio Grande Valley and the north central mountains. A peak gust of 84 mph was measured at Kachina Peak within the Taos Ski Valley, while two reports of downed trees with one knocking out a power line came in from Ruidoso. Subsidence behind the cold front allowed stronger winds aloft to translate down the surface resulting in an extended period of high winds along and east of the central mountain chain. High winds tapered off during the late afternoon and evening hours.