An upper level low pressure system approaching from the Great Basin combined with deepening surface low pressure over eastern New Mexico on the 18th. Strong southwest winds spread over the entire area by late in the afternoon and continue over much of the region through the 19th.
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.
An upper level low pressure system approaching from the Great Basin combined with deepening surface low pressure over eastern New Mexico on the 18th. Strong southwest winds spread over the entire area by late in the afternoon and continue over much of the region through the 19th. Powerful wind gusts were reported in many areas with speeds topping out between 60 mph and 80 mph for an extended period of time around the higher terrain. Snow also developed with this system as moisture arrived beneath the upper level low pressure system. Snow showers first developed over the northern and western high terrain by late in the day on the 18th then gradually increased in coverage and intensity while moving slowly eastward toward the central mountain chain through the 19th. The heaviest snowfall impacted the area along the Continental Divide where roughly 2 to 6 inches was reported from near Quemado to Cuba. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains also picked up another 4 to 10 inches along with blowing snow. This system brought the second latest measurable snowfall to the Albuquerque Sunport with three tenths of an inch on February 20th.
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 18, 4:55 PM MST, 1 hour 5 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 455 PM MST Sun Feb 18 2018 .AVIATION... 00Z TAF CYCLE Scattered showers and even a thunderstorms or two have developed across central NM this afternoon. This precip is expected to continue into the evening, though little, if any impacts are expected to TAF sites. Winds will continue to increase over the northern high terrain overnight, and at lower elevations, winds will remain breezy across all areas through the overnight, before ramping back up by mid morning Monday. Gusts near 50kt are possible overnight across the Sangre de Cristo peaks and Monday across much of the higher terrain. Snow will develop across the northwest mountains overnight and persist through Monday. Mtn obscurations can be expected. BLSN is also possible with reduced visibilities. BLDU will also be possible Monday afternoon across the eastern plains and perhaps near KGUP if precip does not occur there. 34 && .PREV DISCUSSION...237 PM MST Sun Feb 18 2018... .SYNOPSIS... All eyes on the upcoming storm that will impact NM through Tuesday. Strong to high winds will have the most widespread impact across our CWA. Significant snow accumulations will fall in our northern and western mountains, with light amounts in the western and central valleys. Much colder air will pour into NM Monday night through Tuesday night. && .DISCUSSION... Storm over the Pacific Northwest will dive south tonight then turn east Monday, carving out a deep trough of low pressure over the Great Basin. Southwest flow aloft will bring lots of moisture into the state tonight into Monday night, with significant snowfall in the western and northern mountains. Strong to high winds will impact much of our forecast area from later tonight into Tuesday. A strong cold front will race across NM Monday night and Tuesday with sharply colder temperatures in the wake of the front. A flash freeze could occur as the cold air pours into the western and central areas Monday night. Winter storm warnings and high wind warnings and watches will be issued with this forecast package. Additional winter weather and wind advisories will need to be issued later. The highest winds Will be over the mountains onto the adjacent east slopes/highlands of the central mountains. The most significant snow accumulations will be over the western and northern mountains. More specifically, the highest amounts are forecast for the San Juan/Tusas, Jemez and Southwest Mountains where localized amounts will reach one foot or more. The weather will relax Wednesday and Thursday with dry conditions and less forecast. Temperatures will moderate some, but remain below normal. A couple of short wave troughs will impact NM, one late in the week and another over the weekend. But precipitation looks to be confined to the northern mountains, and probably pretty light at that. && .FIRE WEATHER... HIGH WINDS STARTING TONIGHT OVER THE SANGRE DE CRISTO AND CHUSKA MTNS, EXPANDING TO LOWER ELEVATIONS MONDAY. Sfc moisture remains high across most of the forecast area, outside of the far NE highlands where MinRHs are dipping into critical fire weather criteria at a few spots along I-25 to the Johnson Mesa this afternoon. Otherwise the rest of today will be breezy to windy, with sfc moisture continuing to advect into the area into Monday. SW winds increase further Monday, starting overnight atop the Chuska and Sangre de Cristo Mtns where wind gusts could reach 55-60mph. Windy conditions expand down after sunrise tomorrow peaking 30-35mph with gusts to 40-50mph for most valley locations, and 40-50mph at higher elevations with gusts up to 60-65mph. Despite MinRHs only dropping to around 30% across the far NE, the long duration winds and continued dry soil moistures there will still warrant elevated fire weather. Wetting precip. will begin to move into the Gila tonight, expanding over the northern mtns during the day Monday. Valley locations will begin to fill in with rain showers as a Pacific front moves into the NW half of the state Mon night into Tue morning. Higher snow amounts of 8-12" will be possible atop the higher peaks of the Mogollon and Sangre de Cristo Mtns, with closer to two feet atop the Tusas Mtns through Tuesday. Wetting precip. will move out by Tue afternoon as the Pacific front moves through eastern NM bringing much colder and drier air behind it. Breezy to windy conditions will persist over the southern Sangre's and east-central highlands through Tue morning. Highs will drop 15-20F Tue making it the coldest day across the west, with Max Vent Rates remaining fair to excellent. A backdoor front will move down the eastern plains Tue night and Wed morning making Wed the coldest day across the east. Southerly return flow looks to bring back some sfc moisture to the east Thu, but another Pacific front will bring a reinforcing shot of cold and dry air Fri and into the weekend. && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory until 6 PM MST this evening for the following zones... NMZ513>515-523-527>534. Winter Storm Warning from 11 PM this evening to 5 AM MST Tuesday for the following zones... NMZ503-504-508-510-511. High Wind Watch from Monday morning through Tuesday morning for the following zones... NMZ505-506-512-521-523-524-526>529-540. High Wind Warning until 11 PM MST Monday for the following zones... NMZ502-513>515. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 259 AM MST Sun Feb 18 2018 NMZ501>540-191130- 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- 259 AM MST Sun Feb 18 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the northwest mountains including the Tusas beginning tonight and continuing into early Tuesday morning, when several rounds of heavy snow and blowing snow are likely. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday Very windy conditions are forecast to develop Monday in advance of a potent cold front. Wind advisories and even a few High Wind Warnings will likely be required for Monday. Much colder air will push into the state from the west Monday night and Tuesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. 33
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 301 PM MST Sun Feb 18 2018 NMZ501>540-191100- 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- 301 PM MST Sun Feb 18 2018 ...HIGH WINDS...SNOW AND MUCH COLDER WEATHER ON THE WAY... A storm over the Pacific northwest will dive south tonight then turn east Monday, carving out a deep trough of low pressure to our west. The southwest flow aloft ahead of the storm will transport moisture across New Mexico, with rain and snow developing tonight over the western half of our forecast area. Precipitation will increase in coverage and intensity Monday and Monday night before tapering off Tuesday. Significant snow accumulations will be confined to the western and northern mountains, with light amounts of snow possible Monday night in the western and central valleys. Strong to high winds will be a major concern over most of northern and central New Mexico. Wind gusts of 60 to 65 mph will be likely across the western and central mountains, onto the eastern highlands. Less winds, but still significant gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be possible elsewhere. A strong cold front will sweep from west to east across the state Monday night into Tuesday, dropping temperatures sharply in the wake of the front. While not much snow will fall in the lower elevations, a sharp temperature drop Monday night could produce a flash freeze of water on roads. This includes the northwest and central valleys as well as the San Francisco River Valley. Contact local law enforcement or the National Weather Service at 1.888.386.7637 to report snowfall or high winds. For the latest road conditions, visit nmroads.com, dial 511, or 1.800.432.4269. 40
16 high wind, 1 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
Clines Corners reported peak wind gusts periodically between 58 mph and 71 mph for several consecutive hours. NMDOT reported a semi truck rolled over on Interstate 40.
Kachina Peak and Highline Ridge at Taos Ski Valley reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 84 mph for several consecutive hours. High winds were accompanied by snow and blowing snow.
The combination of snowfall amounts between 1 and 3 inches with wind and cold temperatures created severe travel conditions along U.S. Highway 64 near Dulce and along NM-537 south of U.S. Highway 64.
The Corona Public Library weather station reported sustained winds periodically between 40 mph and 48 mph for several consecutive hours.
Sierra Blanca Regional Airport reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 76 mph for several consecutive hours. Peak wind gusts occurred around 8 am on the 20th.
Sierra Blanca Regional Airport reported sustained winds between 40 mph and 56 mph for several consecutive hours. Peak sustained winds occurred around 8 pm on the 19th.
The Corona Public Library weather station reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 63 mph.
The Transwestern Pump station for Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility reported sustained winds between 40 mph and 45 mph.
The Transwestern Pump station for Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility reported a brief peak wind gust up to 60 mph.
The San Juan Substation air quality mesonet site reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 62 mph. High winds were enhanced by passing virga showers.
Peak wind gusts up to 65 mph were estimated by a spotter beneath a virga shower near Farmington.
The Raton Crews Airport reported sustained winds up to 40 mph.
The Gallup Airport reported sustained winds between 40 mph and 43 mph.
The Gallup Airport reported a peak wind gust up to 59 mph.
A ranch five miles southeast of Placitas reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 60 mph.
The Raton Crews Airport reported a peak wind gust up to 58 mph.
Clines Corners reported peak sustained winds periodically between 40 mph and 46 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, February 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: 731256, 731273, 731340, 731286, 731275, 731277, 731285, 731284, 731283, 731289, 731292, 731294, 731306, 731304, 731307, 731295, 731264.