Thunderstorm Wind in McKinley County, New Mexico

As a snow squall with associated lightning moved through the Gallup area, it resulted in estimated 75 mph winds. Multiple reports of damage were received in the Gallup area due to the high winds. Just northeast of Gallup, a COOP observer reported that a COVID-19 drive-through building on a trailer was blown into an eighteen foot power pole which snapped the pole at its base. A resident of Zuni Pueblo reported that power had been knocked out in their area. Damages in the Gallup area are estimated.

An abnormally strong storm system more typical of spring rather than early winter strengthened over the western United States early in the week of December 13, 2021. The defining characteristic for this system was the potent and dangerous upper-level jet associated with it as winds were well over 100 knots. As this system continued to deepen as it dived into the southwestern United States, these winds mixed down to the surface, resulting in a widespread historic windstorm for much of northern and central New Mexico on December 15, 2021. Its associated Pacific cold front arrived into western New Mexico early in the morning on the 15th, and wind speeds rapidly increased to over 60 mph at locations such as Gallup and Farmington. The rain and snow located along this cold front organized into a snow squall as it marched through western New Mexico and into the Rio Grande Valley. This resulted in blowing snow and reduced visibility along roadways such as Interstate 40 near Gallup. Several vehicle accidents were reported along Interstate 40 in McKinley County due to poor travel conditions which forced the closure of the major highway for a few hours during the morning. Lightning was even associated with this squall line which result in a period of thundersnow for the Farmington area with wind gusts in excess of 60 mph. As this storm system moved through the state during the afternoon hours, wind speeds continued to increase with the highest gusts recorded along and east of the central mountain chain due to downsloping winds. The highest gust during this event was 103 mph at Taos Ski Valley which sustained significant tree damage. Other high winds were generally 70 to 90 mph across the eastern plains. Numerous damage reports were received areawide, including downed trees and power lines, damage to mobile homes and other structures, and numerous traffic accidents. Key Impacts: damages, downed trees, downed power lines, power outages, traffic accidents, road closures.