A very strong storm system with high winds and mountain snow impacted much of northern and central New Mexico on December 9-10, 2021. As this system tracked over the area, it steered a potent upper-level jet over the state.
Every event with a place to put it; 16 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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 very strong storm system with high winds and mountain snow impacted much of northern and central New Mexico on December 9-10, 2021. As this system tracked over the area, it steered a potent upper-level jet over the state. With the classic combination of strengthening upper-level winds and a deepening lee-side low over northeast New Mexico, a very windy day was the result across much of the area with the strongest winds in excess of 60 mph along and east of the central mountain chain. The highest wind gust of this event was recorded at the top of the Sandia Mountains with a gust of 72 mph. The high winds were responsible for large areas of blowing dust and reduced visibility across the eastern plains where very dry conditions were in place. Numerous reports of downed trees across the east were also received along with damage reports of peeled roofs and broken windows. This system also brought the first significant snow to the mountain areas of northern and western New Mexico where snowpack was well below average for the start of the season. The highest snow totals were received in the Tusas Mountains where mountain peaks received up to 11 inches. However, the combination of winds in this area also resulted in impacts with slick roads and areas of blowing snow creating treacherous travel conditions.
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 Dec 9, 3:25 PM MST, 2 hours 35 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 325 PM MST Thu Dec 9 2021 .SYNOPSIS... A winter storm system will bring widespread rain and snow showers to the northwest portion of the state tonight into Friday morning. Strong to very strong west winds are expected across the central mountains and eastward Friday early morning into the afternoon. Bitterly cold temperatures will be left in the system's wake Friday night into Saturday morning. A warming trend is forecast to take hold on Sunday through early next week. && .DISCUSSION... SHORT TERM...(TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT)... Bam! Just like that there is a lot of weather to talk about. The next 36 hours continue to look quite active. Strong and gusty west winds along the I-40 corridor across eastern NM should slowly decline through the remainder of the afternoon, though with strengthening zonal flow aloft overnight, winds along and just east of the Central Mountain Chain may pick back up overnight with any mountain wave activity. A weak low/shortwave trough approaching Baja California will get ejected east-northeastward tonight as the next storm system approaches from the west-northwest. These system will help increase wind speeds overnight and Friday. Winds will be strongest overnight across the South Central Mountains, where winds may gust up to 60 mph. However, the Baja trough looks like it will bring a bit more moisture with it across southern areas than previously thought, so in addition to the winds, rain and high elevation snow (>8kft) will be possible across the South Central Mountains overnight into Friday. Several inches of snow will be possible at Ski Apache, but little to no snow is expected in town at Ruidoso. More later on Fridays winds for the rest of the area. Meanwhile, snow across northern NM has been slow to start today, but that will increase overnight. The Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories remain on track, but have added Winter Weather Advisories to portions of west central NM as well. This will be the first snow of the season for them, and although low temperatures look to hover near or just above freezing, do expect some snow and blowing snow in the area. Minor travel impacts are expected, including along I-40. Orographic lift will continue to be the primary driver of the heaviest precipitation. Thus, the heaviest snows will be on peaks and west facing slopes of the northern and western mountains. Blowing snow reducing visibilities will be a concern as well. As the trough axis shifts eastward early Friday morning, precipitation will shift eastward along with it. Precipitation will likely start as rain for lower elevations, particularly since the colder air is lagging behind the precipitation somewhat, but a mix of rain and snow is possible for most western areas and even around Santa Fe Friday morning. However, expecting only a very light rain for Albuquerque. All precipitation should quickly diminish by the noon hour Friday. Then it will all be about the wind. Winds on Friday will ramp up quickly in the morning. Very strong mixing combined with a 993mb surface low over southwest KS will aid in the development in strong to damaging winds. Wind gusts up to 65 and perhaps 70 mph will be possible across portions of eastern NM. The High Wind Watch has been upgraded to a High Wind Warning, and expanded to the Sandia/Manzanos as well as the South Central Mountains as was alluded to above. Surrounding the High Wind Warning, several Wind Advisories were posted as well. It's likely that the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (following the Winter Weather Advisory) and some areas west of the Central Mountain Chain, including the Albuquerque Metro, may need Wind Advisories as well, but will have the next shifts take a closer look. Given how dry it has been, areas of blowing dust are likely, especially across eastern NM where winds will be strongest. After the winds diminish early Friday evening, temperatures will plummet. The coldest temperatures of the season are expected Friday night with many areas in the single digits (both above and below zero) and teens. LONG TERM...(SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY)... A cold air mass is left in the wake of Friday's system as it exits east. Despite frigid morning temperatures, most locales will climb to near climatological normals for highs on Saturday. Northwest flow aloft will lend to breezy conditions across central highlands and adjacent plains in the afternoon. A warming trend will take hold moving into Sunday as pressure heights begin to rise. Meanwhile, a deepening lee-side sfc low will allow breezy southwest winds to prevail across northeast and east central NM in the afternoon. Brisk southwest winds will persist through Monday as the next system makes its approach and the pressure gradient aloft tightens. Sub-tropical moisture funnels its way into the Desert Southwest ahead of this trough, with little consensus across models on its richness. Still, precipitation looks to favor the Continental Divide and westward during the day on Tuesday. The axis of the trough passes across the Rockies Wednesday morning, with uncertainty lying in how far north the system will pull as it migrates east. The GFS and ECMWF are less brazen with precip potential, while the CMC depicts an ambitious helping of QPF across the western and north-central zones. Precipitation quandaries aside, another day of strong winds will be on tap Wednesday for the central mts and eastward as the system makes its pass. Cooler temperatures are anticipated in its wake as well, however highs on Thursday will still be well above normal for most locales. 34/12 && .FIRE WEATHER... Elevated fire weather concerns this afternoon across eastern NM has been mitigated by relative humidity values staying above 15 percent. Strong winds across east central NM this afternoon will diminish early this evening, but will ramp back up along the Central Mountain Chain overnight and across all areas on Friday morning. Wind gusts in excess of 50 to 60 mph will be common Friday morning through Friday afternoon. Additionally, snow returns later today through Friday morning for mainly the northern and western mountains, though lower elevations of western NM may get up to an inch as well. Highest totals will be across the Northern Mountains were 4 to 12 inches will be common. The coldest temperatures of the season are expected Friday night, with near to below normal temperatures expected on Saturday. A warming trend is expected Sunday through Tuesday with temperatures rapidly climbing back above normal. Gusty westerly winds will be possible each afternoon, particularly across eastern NM. Another storm system may bring more precipitation to northern and western NM mid week. 34 && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF CYCLE VFR cigs should prevail through approximately 04Z, sans over the northern mts where mt obscurations are possible as early as this aftn. After 04Z, conditions will deteriorate from west to east with rain and snow showers impacting western and central NM. MVFR to IFR cigs will be possible, mainly at KFMN and KGUP, with rain changing to snow early Friday morning. Strong and gusty westerly winds will be the rule today, especially across eastern NM where gusts near 35kts will be likely. Winds may briefly trend downward early this evening, but will ramp back up overnight and continue to trend upward into Friday afternoon for all areas. Gusts near or above 50kt will possible across much of eastern NM, with gusts near 40kts possible elsewhere. Blowing dust may restrict visibility across the plains, with blowing snow reducing visibility across the mountains overnight into Friday morning. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Farmington...................... 32 36 9 36 / 90 60 0 0 Dulce........................... 28 35 -8 35 / 100 80 0 0 Cuba............................ 30 35 8 37 / 90 80 0 0 Gallup.......................... 34 37 3 42 / 90 60 0 0 El Morro........................ 32 35 7 41 / 90 80 0 0 Grants.......................... 36 39 4 44 / 80 70 0 0 Quemado......................... 34 41 11 46 / 70 80 0 0 Magdalena....................... 39 46 17 48 / 20 40 0 0 Datil........................... 36 41 15 46 / 30 60 0 0 Reserve......................... 33 48 9 54 / 80 80 0 0 Glenwood........................ 38 50 22 55 / 80 80 0 0 Chama........................... 25 31 -5 30 / 100 90 0 0 Los Alamos...................... 36 39 13 37 / 80 80 0 0 Pecos........................... 34 38 14 42 / 50 80 0 0 Cerro/Questa.................... 31 33 5 32 / 70 70 5 0 Red River....................... 27 28 -1 32 / 70 70 10 0 Angel Fire...................... 29 32 -12 34 / 60 70 10 0 Taos............................ 32 37 -3 37 / 70 70 0 0 Mora............................ 33 39 6 45 / 50 70 0 0 Espanola........................ 37 44 9 43 / 70 70 0 0 Santa Fe........................ 36 38 17 36 / 60 90 0 0 Santa Fe Airport................ 36 42 12 38 / 50 80 0 0 Albuquerque Foothills........... 41 46 20 42 / 40 70 0 0 Albuquerque Heights............. 42 48 19 43 / 30 60 0 0 Albuquerque Valley.............. 39 51 15 45 / 30 50 0 0 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 41 48 18 44 / 40 60 0 0 Belen........................... 41 53 12 46 / 20 40 0 0 Bernalillo...................... 42 48 17 46 / 40 70 0 0 Bosque Farms.................... 39 51 11 45 / 20 50 0 0 Corrales........................ 41 48 16 46 / 40 60 0 0 Los Lunas....................... 39 52 11 46 / 20 50 0 0 Placitas........................ 41 44 19 41 / 50 70 0 0 Rio Rancho...................... 42 48 19 44 / 40 60 0 0 Socorro......................... 43 56 18 50 / 20 30 0 0 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 38 40 20 38 / 40 80 0 0 Tijeras......................... 38 43 18 40 / 40 80 0 0 Edgewood........................ 38 43 13 42 / 30 80 0 0 Moriarty/Estancia............... 40 45 6 44 / 20 70 0 0 Clines Corners.................. 36 40 11 40 / 20 50 0 0 Mountainair..................... 38 44 15 43 / 10 60 0 0 Gran Quivira.................... 39 46 17 44 / 10 50 0 0 Carrizozo....................... 41 52 20 49 / 30 30 0 0 Ruidoso......................... 39 44 21 47 / 50 50 0 0 Capulin......................... 35 48 6 43 / 0 20 10 0 Raton........................... 34 50 5 46 / 10 20 10 0 Springer........................ 37 50 4 49 / 10 10 5 0 Las Vegas....................... 38 45 8 47 / 20 40 0 0 Clayton......................... 42 56 15 46 / 0 5 10 0 Roy............................. 42 52 11 45 / 5 10 0 0 Conchas......................... 46 57 12 52 / 0 5 0 0 Santa Rosa...................... 45 55 15 51 / 5 10 0 0 Tucumcari....................... 49 60 16 54 / 0 0 0 0 Clovis.......................... 44 60 20 52 / 5 0 0 0 Portales........................ 45 61 19 53 / 5 0 0 0 Fort Sumner..................... 46 60 18 56 / 0 5 0 0 Roswell......................... 45 68 24 55 / 10 5 0 0 Picacho......................... 44 56 24 56 / 20 20 0 0 Elk............................. 41 53 23 56 / 40 30 0 0 && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory until 11 AM MST Friday for the following zones... NMZ202-203-211-213-214. Winter Weather Advisory from 9 PM this evening to 11 AM MST Friday for the following zones... NMZ205-206. High Wind Warning from 5 AM to 7 PM MST Friday for the following zones... NMZ215-221-223-228-229-231>235-237. Wind Advisory until 5 PM MST this afternoon for the following zones... NMZ223-233>235. Wind Advisory from 5 AM to 7 PM MST Friday for the following zones... NMZ212-222-224-227-230-236-238-239. High Wind Warning from 9 PM this evening to 5 PM MST Friday for the following zones... NMZ226-240. Winter Storm Warning until 11 AM MST Friday for the following zones... NMZ210. && 34/12
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 324 AM MST Thu Dec 9 2021 NMZ201>241-101130- Northwest Plateau-Chuska Mountains-Far Northwest Highlands- Northwest Highlands-West Central Plateau-West Central Mountains- West Central Highlands-Southwest Mountains- San Francisco River Valley-Tusas Mountains Including Chama- Jemez Mountains-Glorieta Mesa Including Glorieta Pass- Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains- Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains- East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains-Upper Rio Grande Valley- Espanola Valley-Santa Fe Metro Area- Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area- Lower Rio Grande Valley-Sandia/Manzano Mountains Including Edgewood- Estancia Valley-Central Highlands-South Central Highlands- Upper Tularosa Valley-South Central Mountains- Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass- 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- San Agustin Plains and Adjacent Lowlands- 324 AM MST Thu Dec 9 2021 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight The first significant winter storm system of the season will move through the region beginning tonight with strong winds, rain, snow, and significantly colder temperatures for much of western and northern New Mexico. Strong to very strong west wind will develop once again from the central mountain chain eastward overnight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Snowfall accumulations in excess of 8" are possible in the Tusas mountains including Chama with light snowfall elsewhere across northern and western NM Friday morning. Strong to potentially damaging wind gusts of 55 to 70 mph are also possible along the central mountain chain eastward Friday. Areas of blowing dust over the eastern plains Friday afternoon may reduce visibilities resulting in hazardous travel. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report snowfall amounts through the National Weather Service Albuquerque web site at weather.gov/abq or by calling 1.888.386.7637. 33
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
15 high wind, 1 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
A SNOTEL site north-northwest of Canon Plaza received an estimated 11 inches of snow. The combination of snow and high winds created difficult driving conditions along high elevation roads with near zero visibility.
The Mineral Hill Fire Department reported numerous downed trees that were 8 to 10 inches in diameter along with numerous downed tree branches. A home in Mineral Hill reported that their outdoor furniture had been blown across the yard, and a rabbit cage had been flipped over. Gusts were estimated to about 60 mph. Extent of damages are unknown, thus damage amounts are a rough estimate.
An AWOS station in Santa Rosa measured a peak sustained wind of 44 mph.
A public weather station north of Madrid measured several hours of wind gusts in excess of 58 mph. The peak wind gust measured was 62 mph.
An ASOS station in Clines Corners measured a peak wind gust of 64 mph.
An ASOS station in Clines Corners measured a peak sustained wind of 43 mph.
A COOP observer near Mosquero reported that high winds blew out a window in their barn. Time is estimated as are damages.
Trained spotters in Vaughn and Dilia estimated 60 mph wind gusts during the afternoon across Guadalupe County. The observer near Dilia reported that tin roofs were being blown off on old uninhabited buildings, and there was also blowing dust and dirt reducing visibility. Damages are estimated for the peeled roofs in Dilia.
A mesonet station near Endee measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.
A trained spotter near Dunken estimated 60 mph wind gusts throughout the afternoon. These winds resulted in numerous tumbleweeds along with reduced visibility in blowing dust.
A mesonet station near Fort Sumner measured a peak wind gust of 61 mph. These high winds were also responsible for a broken anemometer and several downed tree branches. Damages are a rough estimate.
An ASOS station in Las Vegas measured several hours of wind gusts in excess of 58 mph. The peak wind gust measured was 62 mph.
An ASOS station in Clayton measured a brief wind gust of 61 mph.
A public weather station near Clovis measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.
The Sandia Tramway Observation Site measured a peak wind gust of 72 mph. The high winds forced the closure of the Sandia Peak Tramway.
Trained spotters near Conchas Dam and Bell Ranch estimated wind gusts to 60 mph across eastern San Miguel County. The observer near Bell Ranch reported blowing dust associated with the wind, but no damage.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, December 2021
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: 988426, 988411, 988420, 988412, 988414, 988415, 988418, 988421, 988422, 988425, 988424, 988416, 988417, 988423, 988413, 988419.