S. at the end of February.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS ABQ wrote it up.
A fierce jet stream within the base of an upper level trough ejected quickly east across the southwest U.S. at the end of February. A deep tap of moisture surging northeast ahead of this system from the eastern Pacific interacted with a cold front arriving from the Great Basin to produce heavy mountain snow across northern and western New Mexico. West and southwest facing slopes along the Continental Divide and much of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains reported between one and two feet of snow. The 17 inches of snowfall at Chama and the 15 inches at Dulce set new daily records for the 28th. Meanwhile, the combination of powerful winds aloft and a strong surface pressure gradient over eastern New Mexico produced widespread strong to damaging winds. Many locations across the eastern plains reported peak winds between 65 and 75 mph. A semi-trailer was blown over and damaged along U.S. Highway 285 south of Vaughn and power outages were reported around Lincoln County. The most significant blowing dust event of the season so far was reported across much of southeastern New Mexico. The visibility was reduced to two miles around Portales.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Albuquerque, NM wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 27, 4:49 PM MST, 2 hours 11 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 449 PM MST Mon Feb 27 2017 .UPDATE... Quick update to issue a wind advisory for several forecast zones surrounding the high wind warning area, including the Middle RGV. Also added areas of blowing dust to portions of the Eastern Plains for Tuesday afternoon. Otherwise, forecast on track. New suite of products out shortly. 11 && .PREV DISCUSSION...441 PM MST Mon Feb 27 2017... .AVIATION... 00Z TAF CYCLE Deteriorating conditions are forecast overnight as a potent upper level disturbance and attendant cold front approach from Arizona and move over Tuesday. MVFR conditions are forecast with the onset of precipitation, with IFR conditions likely as rain turns over to snow at KFMN, KGUP and KSAF. Winds will be on the uptrend through the TAF period, with gusts to near 50kts likely at KLVS, KTCC and KROW Tuesday. Visibility limitations in blowing dust likely at KTCC and KROW, but nothing below 6SM expected at this time. An airport weather warning will likely be required at KABQ with the cold front passage around mid day and gusts to between 35 and 40kts. 11 && .PREV DISCUSSION...243 PM MST Mon Feb 27 2017... .SYNOPSIS... A significant Pacific trough...currently found to the west of the state...will affect the area during the next 36 hours. Abundant moisture associated with the trough and jet streak will move over western and central portions of the state tonight and last through Tuesday. Snow levels will drop as the trough moves over the area. The heaviest snow will be found above 7500 feet but snow impacts will be felt below 7500 feet across the west and north. Amounts as high as a foot or more are expected across the northwest mountains and west slopes and high peaks of the Sangre de Cristos. Strong to very strong wind will affect southern and eastern portions of the state on Tuesday. Much drier conditions will prevail Wednesday and last into the weekend. Initial temperatures will be below normal but warm to above normal status by Friday. Lots of sun expected Wednesday through the weekend. && .DISCUSSION... After reviewing the latest model guidance and liquid water/snow level projections...decided to add a few zones to the winter weather products. Three zones within the Sangre de Cristos (west slopes and high peaks) will get a warning. Also adding the back end of the east slopes of the Sangres and upper Rio Grande Valley zone to our winter weather advisory highlights. Moist and strong orographic blocking flow remains depicted in the modeling for the northern mountains with lesser impacts across the western mountains. It appears that liquid water amounts have come down for the SW mtns. Challenging part to the forecast will be accurately projecting snow accumulation and impact levels within the gridded forecast during certain portions of the event...especially the onset of the more significant portion of the QPF event this evening and overnight. As the trough moves overhead...snow impact levels will drop. Curious situation for Tuesday night. Much of the precipitation will rapidly decline during the late afternoon and evening hours and give way to some clearing and rapid cooling near the surface. A flash freeze scenario will be possible across western and northwest areas Tuesday night...especially if some slush or wet snow can remain on area roadways into that period. Wind is the other main story for the next 36 hours. Will upgrade the Watch to a Warning. Didnt get a chance to synthesize wind advisory areas within the highlights but look for a encapsulating area of wind advisories around the wind warning area by Tuesday. Hybrid scenario shaping up between the Rio Grande Valley...portions of the central mountains and adjacent high plains to the east on Tuesday. Showers will move through and most likely advect stronger winds down to the surface. Thus creating a helter skelter strong to very strong wind scenario across some central and eastern areas. Blowing snow will be an initial problem across the high country later tonight into Tue morning. Models continue to show a drier and warmer pattern starting Wed and lasting through the weekend. Lots of sun showing up in the layer humidity forecasts. Decided to bump up model guidance temps for later in the week...into the weekend. This seems to be the track record of late. Below normal temps Wed...transitioning to near to below normal temps on Thu before becoming above normal on Friday most areas. 50 && .FIRE WEATHER... High impact and rapidly changing weather expected across the area into Tuesday night to include several hours of critical fire weather conditions for much of eastern New Mexico the rest of this afternoon. Potentially damaging winds possible for parts of central and eastern New Mexico on Tuesday with the focus for any critical fire weather conditions shifting into far southeast areas. Accumulating snow to return to the high terrain areas of the north and west. West and southwest winds increasing to the lee of the Sangre de Cristos as well as the Clines Corners to Santa Rosa to Tucumcari corridor this afternoon. They will strengthen further and expand eastward tonight and through Tuesday in response to deepening low pressure over far northeast New Mexico into southeast Colorado. Will keep a Red Flag Warning for much of the east into early evening. No significant wind shifts are foreseen across eastern areas tonight but west and southwest winds will remain locally strong and gusty tonight especially in the mountains and to the lee of the central mountain chain. High confidence in much stronger and potentially damaging winds for Tuesday but cooler temperatures, increased cloud cover, lower Haines values and higher min RH values will preclude widespread critical fire weather conditions for EC and NE New Mexico. Regardless, widespread high sustained winds of 30 to 45 mph and gusts topping 60 to 70 mph can be expected. Meanwhile, rain and higher elevation snow will be widespread across the west and north tonight into Tuesday night. This as a decent slug of Pacific moisture that races east-northeast ahead of a cold upper level storm system that will exit Tuesday night. Much drier and colder air will overspread the area behind this system on strong northwest flow Wednesday. Maximum temperatures will be as much as 15 degrees below normal across the northwest and 5 to 10 degrees below normal for the east and south. Dry and warmer weather will then take hold for the second half of the week with much less windiness. Ventilation rates will not be a concern in the near term but they will trend downward with fair to poor vent conditions Wednesday and Thursday, then slowly improve Friday through the weekend. CHJ && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... High Wind Warning from midnight tonight to 7 PM MST Tuesday for the following zones... NMZ521-523>526-539-540. Wind Advisory from 10 AM to 7 PM MST Tuesday for the following zones... NMZ507-519-520-530>532. High Wind Warning from 10 AM to 7 PM MST Tuesday for the following zones... NMZ533>538. Red Flag Warning until 6 PM MST this evening for the following zones... NMZ104-108. Winter Weather Advisory until 8 PM MST Tuesday for the following zones... NMZ502-504-506-508-511-515-516. Winter Storm Warning until 8 PM MST Tuesday for the following zones... NMZ503-510-512>514. Wind Advisory from midnight tonight to 7 PM MST Tuesday for the following zones... NMZ522-528-529. && 11
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 435 AM MST Mon Feb 27 2017 NMZ501>540-281200- Northwest Plateau-Chuska Mountains-Far Northwest Highlands- Northwest Highlands-West Central Plateau-West Central Mountains- West Central Highlands-Southwest Mountains- San Francisco River Valley-San Juan Mountains-Jemez Mountains- West Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains- Northern Sangre de Cristos above 9500 feet/Red River- Southern Sangre de Cristos above 9500 feet- East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains-Upper Rio Grande Valley- Lower Chama River Valley-Santa Fe Metro Area- Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area- Lower Rio Grande Valley-Sandia/Manzano Mountains-Estancia Valley- Central Highlands-South Central Highlands-Upper Tularosa Valley- South Central Mountains-Raton Ridge/Johnson Mesa- Far Northeast Highlands-Northeast Highlands-Union County- Harding County-Eastern San Miguel County-Guadalupe County- Quay County-Curry County-Roosevelt County-De Baca County- Chaves County Plains-Eastern Lincoln County-Southwest Chaves County- 435 AM MST Mon Feb 27 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A potent upper level trough will pass through the state today increasing winds across central and eastern areas while developing snow showers tonight across the northern and western mountains. 6 to 12 inch snowfall will favor elevations near and above 7500 feet. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Moderate snow showers will prevail Tuesday along and west of the central mountain chain while strong to damaging winds occur across portions of central and eastern New Mexico. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. 32
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM
352 PM MST MON FEB 27 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0230 PM SNOW 2 N CHAMA 36.92N 106.58W
02/27/2017 M1.5 INCH RIO ARRIBA NM CO-OP OBSERVER
&&
EVENT NUMBER ABQ1701141
CA23 high wind, 7 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 10 to 15 inches around Angel Fire and Eagle Nest. Wind gusts up to 50 mph were reported with this snowfall.
Snowfall amounts as high as 16 inches were reported by the Navajo Whiskey SNOTEL and the nearby COOP observer.
Up to 15 inches of snow fell around Dulce with up to 2 feet on nearby higher peaks. This snowfall set a new daily record for the 28th. Lighter amounts around 2 inches were reported near Navajo Dam.
Snowfall amounts across the high terrain of eastern Rio Arriba County ranged from 12 to 20 inches. The 17 inches reported at Chama on the morning of the 28th set a new daily record.
Snowfall amounts along the west facing slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains ranged from 6 to 12 inches. The highest amounts were reported in the area around Shady Brook.
Snowfall amounts over the high terrain of Taos County ranged from 12 to 24 inches. Strong winds accompanied the heavy snowfall over the Taos Ski Valley where gusts up to 69 mph were reported.
Snowfall amounts across the southern high peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains east of Santa Fe ranged from 8 to 11 inches.
Clines Corners reported peak wind gusts up to 64 mph with sustained winds as high as 50 mph for several hours.
Sierra Blanca Regional Airport reported peak wind gusts as high as 78 mph for several hours. An observer near Nogal reported peak wind gusts up to 61 mph. Power outages were reported across much of the area around Ruidoso.
Sierra Blanca Regional Airport reported sustained winds as high as 63 mph for several hours.
The Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility Transwestern Pump Station reported peak wind gusts up to 68 mph with sustained winds up to 53 mph for several hours.
Observer at Fence Lake reported sustained winds as high as 52 mph for a couple hours. The Magdalenda Ridge Observatory reported a peak wind gust up to 84 mph around 10,000 feet during this period.
The Moriarty Airport reported peak wind gusts up to 58 mph with sustained winds as high as 48 mph for several hours.
Numerous White Sands Missile Range sites reported peak wind gusts between 58 and 63 mph for a few hours. High sustained winds as high as 44 mph were also reported around Socorro.
A public weather station along U.S. Highway 54 north of Carrizozo reported a peak wind gust up to 60 mph.
The top of the Sandia Peak Tram reported a peak wind gust up to 70 mph. Observers around Cedar Crest reported sustained winds as high as 42 mph.
The Chupadera RAWS reported a peak wind gust up to 59 mph.
A public weather station north of Tecolotito reported a peak wind gust to 68 mph. The Las Vegas Municipal Airport reported sustained winds as high as 45 mph during this period.
The Albuquerque International Airport reported high sustained winds up to 44 mph for a couple hours. Double Eagle Airport also reported high sustained winds of 40 mph.
The Albuquerque International Airport reported a peak wind gust up to 58 mph. The helipad on top of UNMH reported a peak wind gust up to 63 mph.
The Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility at Fort Sumner reported a peak wind gust up to 70 mph. Sumner Lake reported peak wind gusts up to 58 mph.
The Buck Springs weather station near Mesa reported a peak wind gust up to 72 mph with sustained winds as high as 51 mph. The Bitterlakes Wildlife Refuge RAWS station reported a peak wind gust up to 64 mph. The Roswell Industrial Airpark reported a peak wind gust up to 58 mph. A semi-trailer was overturned and damaged in powerful crosswinds along U.S. Highway 285 north of Roswell.
The Dora mesonet site reported a peak wind gust up to 72 mph. The Melrose Bombing Range reported a peak wind gust to 67 mph. An observer in Portales reported a peak wind gust to 61 mph. Blowing dust reduced the visibility to as low as 2 miles.
A public weather station near Sedan reported peak wind gusts up to 63 mph with sustained winds as high as 49 mph. The Clayton Municipal Airport reported a peak wind gust up to 58 mph.
The Dunken RAWS reported a peak wind gust up to 66 mph with sustained winds as high as 43 mph.
The Belen Airport reported a peak wind gust up to 61 mph.
The Tucumcari Municipal Airport reported a peak wind gust up to 68 mph with sustained winds as high as 52 mph. House reported a peak wind gust up to 61 mph with sustained winds as high as 47 mph.
The Union Pacific Railroad mesonet site near Vaughn reported a peak wind gust up to 59 mph with sustained winds as high as 50 mph.
The Clovis Airport and Cannon AFB weather stations reported peak wind gusts between 60 and 67 mph with sustained winds up to 54 mph for several hours. A portion of the roof of a Sonic drive-in was torn off in Clovis with no injuries. Numerous trees and power lines were also blown down across the Clovis area.
Des Moines reported a peak wind gust up to 62 mph with sustained winds as high as 45 mph.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, February 2017
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 672773, 672754, 672748, 672751, 672761, 672765, 672766, 673176, 673190, 673192, 673187, 673196, 673193, 673198, 673207, 673223, 673205, 673203, 673208, 673209, 673210, 673211, 673212, 673213, 673215, 673216, 673217, 673219, 673222, 673224.