High Wind — Upper Tularosa Valley, New Mexico

2021-10-12 · Upper Tularosa Valley, New Mexico

Event narrative

A White Sands Missile Range site reported a peak wind gust up to 58 mph.

Wider weather episode

An unseasonably strong storm system that developed over the Great Basin moved quickly east through New Mexico on October 12, 2021 with strong winds, rain, snow, much colder temperatures, and areas of blowing dust. South to southwest winds increased during the early morning of the 12th then became widespread across the region by the afternoon. Severe wind gusts up to 70 mph around Ruidoso blew down trees and power lines. Peak wind gusts of 55 to 65 mph were common across the remainder of central and eastern NM. Blowing dust reduced visibility to around five miles at Ruidoso. A couple rain and snow bands moved through the area as well with a few inches of snow reported in the high terrain. Portions of the northern mountains picked up two to six inches of snow with even some light amounts around Chama and Taos. The coldest temperatures of the season moved into the area behind this system.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 979184. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.