High Wind — Far Northeast Plains, New Mexico

2001-04-06 · Far Northeast Plains, New Mexico

Wider weather episode

A strong upper level low swept across New Mexico bringing high winds to most southern, central and eastern counties. Damage reports consisted mainly of downed tree limbs and a few power poles, overturned yard sheds, plus a number of porch roofs ripped away as winds reached sustained speeds of 40-45 mph with gusts 50-60 mph during a 4 to 6 hour period from mid afternoon to early evening. A few semi-trailer trucks were overturned by the gusts near Tucumcari and Clovis with one injury reported. Several schools districts closed early for the first time due to winds because of the concern for bus safety in the high winds. A small cluster of high based thunderstorms developed near Clovis-Portales and combined with the high winds to produce brief gusts near 70 mph. The storm generated gusty winds of 25-35 mph across western and north central New Mexico, plus a late snow of 2 to 6 inches over middle and higher terrain.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5240821. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.