Southwest Mountains storm history

This human caused wildfire, named the Miller Fire, began at the end of April and continued well into June, burning within the steep and rugged terrain of the Gila Wilderness. Four, generally unused, trailers burned near the Gila Cliff Dwellings Visitor Center in May, but fortunat…

The Whitewater/Baldy fire consumed nearly 300,000 acres by the end of June.

The Whitewater/Baldy Complex has burned approximately 20 structures by the end of May. Damages estimated this month are for these structures only, though the fire will continue to burn well into June.

Extreme drought remained persistent over the northwest and north central portion of the zone.

Extreme drought remained persistent over the northwestern portion of the zone, removed elsewhere.

Extreme drought remained persistent over the western third of the zone.

Extreme drought persisted over a majority of the western half of the zone with the removal of a small area of exceptional drought over the far southern portion of the zone.

Extreme drought persisted over a majority of the western half of the zone along with a small area of exceptional drought over the far southern portion of the zone.

The Turkeyfeather Wildfire was a lightning started fire in a very remote area of the Gila National Forest 22 miles southeast of Reserve, NM. Gusty and erratic winds from nearby thunderstorm activity allowed the fire to rapidly grow during the first week of July. The fire burned a…

Extreme drought persisted a majority of the western half of the zone along with a small area of exceptional drought over the far southern portion of the zone.

The Buck Fire was discovered in an extremely remote area of Catron County near Pelona Mountain southwest of Magdalena, NM. The fire burned mainly through wilderness area on private land along and northwest of highway 163 reaching 57,736 acres by June 17th. No damage and destructi…

Extreme drought persisted over the majority of the zone along with exceptional drought persisting over far southern portions of the zone.

The human caused Paradise Fire was discovered on May 26th 13 miles south of Quemado in a remote area of Catron County. The fire burned within forest area, reaching a total area burned of 727 acres by May 29th.

The Iron Fire in the Gila National Forest in a very remote area of southern Catron County was discovered near noon on May 4th. It quickly expanded under critical fire weather conditions that day with a final mapped acreage of 482 acres. Cooler and wetter weather allowed the fire …

Extreme drought persisted over the majority of the zone while exceptional drought was introduced to the southern portion of the zone.

The weather station at Magdelena Ridge Observatory measured estimated peak wind gusts of 81 mph.

The Magdelena Ridge Observatory observed estimated peak wind gusts of 75 mph.

Extreme drought conditions persisted across the zone.

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory measured a peak wind gust of 82 mph.

The Magdalena Observatory measured a peak wind gust of 70 mph.

Extreme drought conditions were expanded to include the entire zone.

Severe drought expanded to nearly all of the zone, while extreme drought was introduced to the southern portion of the zone.

Extreme drought was introduced to the southern portion of the zone.

Apparent temperatures as low as -11 degrees were observed within the zone.

Severe drought conditions were introduced into the central and southern part of the zone.

An estimated wind gust of 60 mph was observed at the Magdalena Ridge Observatory.

The lightning caused Lolo Wildfire was located near Escondido Mountain six miles northeast of Quemado Lake. The fire was managed and caused little to no impacts, growing to 438 acres.

The Ridge Wildfire started in the Gila National Forest in southern Catron County reaching a total size of 4,257 acres. Little to no damage was reported outside of closures along trails.

The Fisher Wildfire was a lightning started wildfire discovered within the San Mateo Mountains of western Socorro County. The fire was managed by the Magdalena Ranger District allowing it to grow to 8043 acres. No damage was reported.

The Antone Wildfire located within the Gallo and Mangas Mountains south of Quemado in Catron County was a lightning start wildfire. The fire was managed and allowed to grow to a final size of 12,397 acres. There was no damage to property or loss of life.

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory observed a peak wind gust of 81 mph.

A CoCoRaHS observer in Pietown observed 10 inches of snowfall. Additionally, another CoCoRaHS observer 2 miles west of Datil observed 8.6 inches of snowfall. Approximately 9 inches of snowfall was observed at the Silver Creek Divide SNOTEL.

Severe drought was removed from the zone.

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory measured gusts of 60 to 70 mph throughout this time frame with a peak gust of 81 mph at 12:34pm MST.

An estimated 10 inches of snow fell at the Silver Creek Divide SNOTEL.

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory's weather station measured peak gusts regularly exceeding high wind criteria, and peaking at 75 mph.

Severe drought remained persistent across the western portion of the zone.

Severe drought remained persistent across a majority of the zone.

Severe to extreme drought conditions persisted across most of the zone. However, beneficial snowfall from several winter storms allowed severe drought conditions be eliminated in the northeast part of the zone.

A relatively dry and warm November resulted in the expansion of severe drought conditions in the central part of the zone. Extreme drought conditions remained persistent in the southern tier of the zone.

A dry and warm October resulted in the persistence of severe drought conditions in the western part of the zone and extreme drought conditions in the southern part of the zone.

A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the introduction of extreme drought conditions in the southern part of the zone.

A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the introduction of severe drought conditions in the southern part of the zone.

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory mesonet station measured a peak wind gust of 80 mph. The station regularly saw gusts greater than 60 mph for April 3rd and April 4th.

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory reported a peak wind gust of 86 mph.

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory observed a peak wind gust of 68 mph.

Heavy snow impacted a small portion of the zone, where an estimated ten inches of snow fell at the Silver Creek Divide SNOTEL.

The Magdalena Observatory measured a peak wind gust of 95 mph.

A public weather station measured a 62 mph wind gust at the top of South Baldy in the Magdalena Mountains.

A public weather station measured a 60 mph wind gust in Rainsville, NM.