High Wind — Southern Desert, New Mexico

2009-12-08 · Southern Desert, New Mexico

Event narrative

Peak gust of 116 mph was measured 1 mile east-southeast of Organ at San Augustin Pass using a White Sands Missile Range sensor. Another wind gust of 97 mph was measured by a trained spotter 3 miles east-southeast of organ at Aguirre Springs on the east slopes of the Organ Mountains. Numerous power poles were knocked over by the wind.

Wider weather episode

An upper low/trough centered over the Colorado Rockies with an associated 150kt jet located over southern New Mexico and far West Texas brought wind gusts over 100 mph to areas along and east of I-25. Considerable damage and power outages were reported in the Sacramento Mountains and east of the Organ Mountains.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 202363. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.