High Wind — Eastern San Miguel County, New Mexico

2019-04-10 · Eastern San Miguel County, New Mexico

Event narrative

A weather station at Conchas Lake reported sustained winds between 40 mph and 50 mph for several hours.

Wider weather episode

Another widespread high wind event produced damage across parts of New Mexico on April 10, 2019 less than one month after a similar wind event in mid March. A powerful jet stream approached New Mexico from the west on April 9, 2019 and forced a potent low pressure system to develop along the Front Range on April 10, 2019. Breezy southwest winds and strong downslope flow on the 9th resulted in several record high temperatures across the region, including 97 degrees at Roswell. Southwest winds increased quickly over the entire area in the early morning before turning west as a powerful cold front raced through New Mexico. Widespread strong winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts of 60 to 75 mph impacted central and eastern New Mexico. Peak wind gusts with this event topped out at 75 mph at Clines Corners, Clovis, and Fort Stanton. Damage was reported in Roswell and Tucumcari where roofs were torn from buildings and trees were toppled. A semi trailer was blown over on Interstate 40 west of Clines Corners. Blowing dust reduced visibility to near zero across parts of Chaves County where several roads were closed. The 267 Fire near Floyd grew rapidly northeastward with winds well in excess of 50 mph. Four homes were destroyed, one fire fighter and one civilian were injured in the blaze. Meanwhile, cold air filtered into northern New Mexico with even a couple of snow in the high terrain.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 806559. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.