A potent upper level storm system sliding east through the southern Rockies spread widespread strong to damaging winds across New Mexico on April 17th. Southwest winds increased quickly during the mid morning hours over western New Mexico before spreading eastward into the Rio Grande Valley and eastern plains.
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 potent upper level storm system sliding east through the southern Rockies spread widespread strong to damaging winds across New Mexico on April 17th. Southwest winds increased quickly during the mid morning hours over western New Mexico before spreading eastward into the Rio Grande Valley and eastern plains. Peak wind gusts averaged 60 to 70 mph across the area. A large tree was blown over at an apartment complex near the Cottonwood Mall in Albuquerque. High winds blew down a power line near the Gallup airport. Wind gusts near 80 mph around Las Vegas caused part of the roof of a nearby church to blow off. Widespread blowing dust was also reported across the area.
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 Apr 17, 4:27 AM MST, 3 hours 18 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 527 AM MDT Tue Apr 17 2018 .AVIATION... 12Z TAF CYCLE VFR conditions prevail and are forecast to persist, although blowing dust this afternoon may limit visibility down to between 3 to 5 miles at most TAF sites. Otherwise, strong and dangerous wind gusts will be the main aviation weather related impact today, with gusts to between 40 and 55kt likely by afternoon at all TAF sites. KLVS and KTCC will likely see the strongest gusts this afternoon and early evening. Winds will begin to subside from west to east this afternoon and evening. && .PREV DISCUSSION...337 AM MDT Tue Apr 17 2018... ...VERY STRONG AND POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WINDS WITH WIDESPREAD FIRE WEATHER CONCERNS TODAY... .SYNOPSIS... Very strong and potentially damaging winds are expected today. The strongest winds will be along and just east of the central mountain chain, and across the northeast plains, where gusts up to 70 mph are expected. Widespread critical fire weather conditions will also develop. An approaching upper level low pressure system will cause windy conditions and fire weather concerns to redevelop on Thursday, when wind speeds will probably peak around 50 mph. The upper low will also draw moisture for thunderstorms into the state, a few of which could turn severe along the east slopes of the central mountain chain on Thursday afternoon. Showers, thunderstorms and mountain snow showers will become more widespread Thursday night through Saturday as the upper low passes eastward along the Colorado and New Mexico border. A few to several inches of snow will be possible in the northern mountains above 8,000 feet. A cold front will cross with the system causing high temperatures to fall below normal at the end of the week, but readings will rebound as a ridge of high pressure crosses early next week. && .DISCUSSION... An upper level trough will pass north of NM today steering the jet stream over our state. A sharp lee trough south of a 994 mb surface low in eastern CO will also get the winds going, especially across the east where some areas can expect southwest wind gusts up to 70 mph. Except on mountain peaks like the Magdalena peak observatory, winds west of the central mountain chain probably won't be quite as strong (peaking up to 60 mph). The downslope flow will result in temperatures up to 13 degrees above normal across the eastern plains this afternoon, but readings will fall as much as 10 degrees below normal in the west with the arrival of a sharp Pacific cold front. The gusty Pacific cold front will drive through the remainder of the forecast area this evening, resulting in high temperatures as much as 10 degrees below normal on Wednesday. Western high temperatures will actually rebound a few to 10 degrees from todays highs on Wednesday. The upper level low pressure system approaching the Four Corners on Thursday will draw a moist, south and southeasterly, low-level return flow northward along and east of the central mountain chain. Temperatures will still be near and below normal across the east on Thursday, and the GFS depicts a more unidirectional shear profile, so the risk of severe weather does not look as high in the latest run. Can't rule out a few pulse severe storms, especially Thursday afternoon and evening. South winds will generally gust in the 40 to 50 mph range on Thursday afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms will probably become most widespread on Friday, when a Pacific cold front crosses the state. 44 && .FIRE WEATHER... ...WIDESPREAD EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY... Exceptionally poor RH recoveries early this morning with current relative humidities of 10 to 15 percent, and even single digits over some west and central areas. This will factor into the widespread extremely critical fire weather conditions today. Minimum humidities this afternoon will be around 5 percent in many areas. Winds will increase dramatically this morning and roar over the state this afternoon before reluctantly diminishing this evening. Sustained wind speeds will reach 35 to 45 mph with gusts of 55 to 70 mph. Haines will be moderate to high and temperatures above normal over southern and eastern areas. Single digit humidities will last 10 to 15 or more hours in the south and east. The northwest will not see the extreme conditions the rest of the area will get. Cold air advection will stabilize the atmosphere with low or very low Haines and below normal high temperatures, reducing the critical fire threat for the Northwest Plateau and North Central Mountains. Excellent vent rates today. An upper level disturbance moving east out of the Great Basin, a Pacific cold front and deep surface low pressure in eastern CO are the culprits for our weather today. All will move east late today into tonight. It will be dry and chilly tonight with diminishing winds. A transient ridge of high pressure will cross NM Wednesday with lots of sunshine, not much wind (for a change) and highs near to below normal. Vent rates will be mostly good to excellent. Back comes the wind Thursday as the next storm comes ashore from the Pacific Ocean. A 547dm closeD low over CA will reach Las Vegas, NV Thursday. Southwest winds will increase aloft over NM Thursday with strong surface winds developing west of the central mountains. Critical fire weather conditions are likely west of the central mountains. Meanwhile, low level moisture will begin surging north into eastern NM Thursday, setting the stage for some thunderstorms along the east slopes of the central mountains Thursday afternoon. They will likely expand in coverage and intensity Thursday night into Friday from the central mountains to the TX border. Even areas west of the central mountains will see some shower and thunderstorm activity Thursday night into Friday night. The storm will reach the four corners region by late Friday, cross NM Friday night then exit east Saturday. Temperatures will warm some Thursday, then turn much cooler Friday. Highs Saturday will be mostly below normal. Critical fire weather conditions will be possible in the southern portion of the Middle Rio Grande Valley Friday afternoon, with no area of critical on Saturday. A ridge of high pressure will build over NM Sunday, but a weak short wave trough will top the ridge, perhaps triggering a few showers and storms Sunday and Monday, a rain and snow showers Sunday night, over the North Central Mountains. Return flow moisture could bring more widespread showers and thunderstorms to central and eastern areas Tuesday into Tuesday night. In addition to possible wetting precipitation, winds will NOT be a major factor in our weather Sunday through Tuesday. CHJ && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... High Wind Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for the following zones... NMZ506>508-510>516-518-519-521>524-526>540. Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for the following zones... NMZ101>109. Wind Advisory from 11 AM this morning to 9 PM MDT this evening for the following zones... NMZ517-520-525. Wind Advisory until 4 PM MDT this afternoon for the following zones... NMZ501-503>505-509. High Wind Warning until 4 PM MDT this afternoon for the following zones... NMZ502. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 504 AM MDT Tue Apr 17 2018 NMZ501>540-181100- 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- 504 AM MDT Tue Apr 17 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Strong southwest and west winds will develop area wide. Gusts from 60 to 70 mph will be common, with the strongest winds favoring the central mountain chain, adjacent east slopes and the northeast plains. Critical to extremely critical fire weather conditions are expected area wide. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday Thursday, strong south winds will develop areawide with gusts in the 40 to 50 mph range. Dry conditions west of the central mountain chain will result in another round of critical fire weather conditions. However, a low pressure system approaching from the west will draw rich low level moisture north and northeastward into the eastern half of the state with thunderstorms breaking out Thursday afternoon. There is a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms in Lincoln and Chaves Counties Thursday afternoon. Thursday night through Saturday, the upper level low pressure system will track eastward along the Colorado and New Mexico border causing rain showers, thunderstorms and mountain snow showers to become widespread. A few to several inches of snow will be possible in the northern mountains above 8,000 feet. A few severe thunderstorms could return to southeast areas on Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be required in Lincoln and Chaves Counties on Thursday afternoon, then in Chaves and Roosevelt Counties on Friday afternoon, due to the potential for severe thunderstorms. 44
32 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Sierra Blanca Regional Airport reported sustained winds between 40 mph and 44 mph periodically for several hours.
The Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility Transwestern Pump station reported sustained wind speeds between 40 mph and 51 mph periodically for several hours.
The Gallup Municipal Airport reported peak wind gusts up to 60 mph periodically for several hours. A power line was down along NM-118 near the airport.
A ranch several miles southeast of Placitas reported sustained winds of 40 mph periodically for a couple hours.
The weather station atop Kachina Peak at Taos Ski Valley reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 63 mph for several hours.
Clines Corners reported sustained winds between 40 mph and 47 mph for several hours.
Clines Corners reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 70 mph for several hours.
The Las Vegas airport reported sustained winds speeds between 40 mph and 44 mph periodically for several hours.
The COOP observer in Gascon reported many trees were toppled in the forest from high winds. Tin roofing was completely blown off of two sheds and partially blown off their barn. The cost of damage is estimated.
The Moriarty airport reported a peak wind gust up to 58 mph.
A weather station near Madrid reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 68 mph for several hours.
A weather station a few miles northwest of Glorieta reported peak wind gusts up to 69 mph.
The Moriarty airport reported sustained winds between 40 mph and 45 mph periodically for a couple hours.
The Raton airport reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 60 mph periodically for several hours.
A peak wind gust up to 61 mph was reported in Jemez Springs.
The Las Vegas airport reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 79 mph periodically for several hours. A roof was partially blown off a church in the town of Las Vegas.
The Angel Fire airport reported a peak wind gust up to 60 mph.
A trained spotter in Stanley reported sustained winds between 40 mph and 41 mph periodically for a couple hours.
The Double Eagle II Airport reported sustained wind speeds up to 40 mph.
The Santa Fe Municipal Airport reported a peak wind gust up to 62 mph.
A trained spotter in Stanley reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 60 mph periodically for a couple hours.
Clayton reported peak wind gusts up to 59 mph.
A weather station in Placitas reported a peak wind gust up to 58 mph.
A mesonet station two miles southwest of Endee reported sustained winds up to 42 mph.
A schoolnet site in Des Moines reported a peak wind gust to 64 mph.
The Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility Transwestern Pump station reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 66 mph periodically for a few hours.
A weather station in Corona reported a peak wind gust up to 58 mph.
A large tree was blown over at an apartment complex near Coor Bypass and 7 Bar Loop.
The Mills Canyon RAWS reported a peak wind gust up to 60 mph.
A weather station in Los Alamos reported a peak wind gust up to 60 mph.
A weather station along Interstate 40 near NM-6 reported a peak wind gust up to 58 mph.
A weather station in Sedan reported a peak wind gust up to 59 mph.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, April 2018
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: 740671, 740996, 740644, 740662, 740654, 740669, 740668, 740991, 743410, 740665, 740657, 740653, 740666, 740989, 740663, 740990, 740655, 740658, 740660, 740656, 740659, 740992, 740664, 740995, 740672, 740997, 740670, 740661, 740994, 740652, 740647, 740993.