High Wind — West Slopes of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains, New Mexico

2018-04-12 · West Slopes of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains, New Mexico

Event narrative

A weather station northwest of Glorieta reported a peak wind gust up to 61 mph.

Wider weather episode

The first day of a two-day strong wind event began on April 12th as an unseasonably deep upper level storm system moved slowly east through the southern Rockies. Widespread, strong southwest winds increased over the region during the early morning hours of the 12th then peaked during the late afternoon and early evening hours as a potent cold front surged southeastward across the state. Widespread blowing dust was reported ahead of the cold front over the Four Corners region where hazardous visibilities were reported. A semi trailer was blown over along U.S. Highway 491 near Shiprock from high winds with blowing dust. The strongest winds were reported over central and western New Mexico where gusts of 60 to 70 mph were common. High temperatures in the 80s and 90s combined with very low humidity and strong winds set the stage for wildfires across the region. A prescribed burn between Bluewater Lake and Grants quickly spread out of control on the 12th while another wildfire developed from an abandoned camp fire. A grass fire that developed over extreme northern Lea County crossed into southeastern Roosevelt County near Milnesand and rapidly consumed nearly 40,000 acres. The 246 Fire near Capitan consumed nearly 4,000 acres as well as two homes and four outbuildings.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 739665. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.