Wildfire and High Wind in New Mexico, April 11 to 30, 2022

Name: Wildfire and High Wind in New Mexico, April 11 to 30, 2022
Start: 2022-04-11T12:30
End: 2022-04-30T23:59
Location: New Mexico

April 11 to 30, 2022 · NWS ABQ · 27 events in 20 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 27 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 2
Injuries: 1
Property damage: $17 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 27

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS ABQ wrote it up.

As a storm system tracked to the north of New Mexico on April 11-12, 2022, it steered a potent polar jet over the state. With a continued deep surface low pressure system over northeastern New Mexico and ample deep mixing across all of northern and central New Mexico, windy conditions persisted. Winds peaked on April 12th as the core of the jet crossed the state, and many areas measured wind gusts in excess of 58 mph. The strongest winds during this event were recorded along and east of the central mountain chain which was in closer proximity to the deep surface low. Ruidoso and areas nearby were hardest hit with several hours of wind gusts of 70 to 80 mph. With exceptionally dry conditions also present, this fueled the start for the McBride Fire which prompted evacuation orders and was responsible for the deaths of two citizens. These conditions also helped to start the Big Hole Fire near Belen as well as the Nogal Canyon Fire near Capitan, which threatened multiple homes and structures.

What forecasters said that day

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 11, 11:28 AM MST, 1 hour 2 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 11, 11:28 AM MST, 1 hour 2 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
1228 PM MDT Mon Apr 11 2022

.AVIATION...
18Z TAF CYCLE
The strongest winds today will impact western New Mexico with high
terrain areas in western areas strengthening even more into the
overnight hours, and on Tuesday the strongest winds will spread to
the central mountain chain and eastern plains of the state. Low level
wind shear will be prevalent in many locations overnight and
mountain wave activity into Tuesday. Widespread gusts of 35 to 50 kt
will be possible in these areas with locations near and downwind
(east/northeast) of mountains and higher terrain potentially
observing higher gusts. Areas of blowing dust will likely reduce
visibility with local reductions as low as 2 to 3 miles. Rain and
high elevation snow showers will slowly fill into northwestern New
Mexico Tuesday morning, spreading into far north central areas by
midday as a cold front sweeps in. During the passage of the front,
reduced visibility and lower ceilings down to MVFR and perhaps
briefly IFR status are possible.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION...345 AM MDT Mon Apr 11 2022...
...HIGH IMPACT EVENT FOR MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON DUE
TO WIDESPREAD DAMAGING WINDS AND CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS...

.SYNOPSIS...
A potent storm system will bring strong to damaging winds across the
northern two-thirds of New Mexico this evening through Tuesday. Peak
wind speeds will potentially exceed 70 mph, especially in the higher
terrain and the eastern parts of New Mexico. In the meantime, strong
winds will combine with low humidity to produce widespread high fire
danger. Blowing dust will also create hazardous travel for dust prone
areas. A cold front will bring light to occasional moderate rain and
snow showers to the northwest and north central parts of the state as
well as cooler temperatures in its wake. For Wednesday, winds will be
lighter although still breezy to windy conditions and critical fire
weather will persist. Freezing overnight low temperatures are likely
for the western and northern portions of the state for both Wednesday
and Thursday mornings. Quieter weather is expected for Thursday into
Friday, although critical fire weather conditions are still possible
in the plains. Winds may increase once again for Saturday as another
storm system passes through the northern and central Rockies.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
SHORT TERM...(TODAY THROUGH TUESDAY)...
Multiple wind highlights, including High Wind Warnings, are in
effect for today through Tuesday. While the High Wind Warning for
portions of northwest and west central NM starts at 2 pm, the
strongest winds with potential for gusts to 65 or 70 mph, are not
expected to begin until the evening. Similarly, mainly wind advisory
criteria is expected along the central mountain chain and adjacent
highlands but the strongest winds aren't expected until Tuesday,
although the occasional gustiness will continue through tonight as
the atmosphere stays mixed. Highs today will be above normal, then
the central and west will be cooler than normal on Tuesday as the
cold front pushes in. Chances for showers will be greatest Tuesday
along the CO border over northwest and north central NM and where
isolated thunderstorms are possible. Snow accumulations may range
from 2 to 5 inches over the highest peaks of the Tusas Mountains
where blowing snow is possible. Areas of blowing dust are a good bet
both later this afternoon and Tuesday downwind of dust prone areas.
99

LONG TERM...(TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY)...
The damaging wind threat mentioned in the prior section will be a
concern for locales along/east of the central mountain chain into
the early evening hours. For most areas, the boundary layer should
decouple from the strong winds aloft by around 03Z/Wed. Meanwhile,
the surface pressure gradient will also start to lessen. With that
said, a potent jet core aloft will shift into the southern parts of
the state Tuesday night. Winds at 700hPa will still be about one to
two standard deviations above normal, which could support stronger
winds within the Sacramento Mountains for a few more hours past the
scheduled end time for the High Wind Warning. With a drier airmass
in place along with clearing skies, decent radiational cooling will
allow sub-freezing temperatures to develop in western and northern
NM Wednesday morning. For most locales, this is not be a huge deal,
but it will be past the climatological mean for the latest freeze in
the middle Rio Grande Valley, including the ABQ Metro. Therefore, a
Freeze Watch may be necessary for NMZ219. Additionally, wind chills
during this time will likely drop into the single digits, making for
an unpleasant April morning.

For Wednesday, upper level storm system migrates into the central
U.S., but a brisk west-northwest flow will persist across the area.
Jet core shifts east of the forecast area, but 700hPa winds will be
around 40-50 knots. Some of this momentum will translate to the sfc
as model soundings suggest afternoon mixing could reach 600hPa. It
appears Wind Advisories will be necessary once again, with the main
focus area from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to Clines Corners to
the TX border. Pseudo-zonal to northwest flow is progged on Thursday
with winds aloft relaxing a bit more. High temps will warm about ten
degrees with breezy afternoon winds, especially across the northeast
quadrant of the state. Rinse and repeat for Friday with most locales
finally climbing above seasonal averages.

Latest ensemble guidance for the upcoming weekend has shifted its
tune a bit with respect to the closed upper low in the Pacific NW
and how it will translate eastward into the Great Lakes region. It
appears most members are now favoring a more progressive/northern
trajectory, allowing for a preferred zonal regime and above normal
heights across the southern Rockies. The operational ECMWF appears
to be the outlier and really doesn't align with the other ensemble
members. As a result, this will place NM in the southern fringes of
the trough axis with increasing winds for Saturday and Sunday. The
precipitation threat should be lower than previously projected with
the brunt of the colder air associated with a backdoor front being
relegated to the far ern plains or areas further east Sunday night
into Monday. DPorter

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

...PROLONGED PERIOD OF WIDESPREAD CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK...

Red Flag Warnings remain in effect area wide for today although
humidities for some areas west of the Contdvd will be near or
slightly above 15 percent. Ridgetop winds strengthen markedly this
evening over western NM and then during the overnight across the
central mountain chain. The atmosphere will remain mixed overnight
tonight so expect occasional bouts of gusty winds tonight before the
strongest winds gusting to around 65 to 70 mph kick in on Tuesday
with critical conditions expected from the Middle Rio Grande Valley
eastward and where a Red Flag Warning is in effect. The very strong
winds will diminish somewhat as they become more northwesterly
Tuesday afternoon over northwest NM where temperatures cool below
normal, while the very strong winds persist into the early evening
over the east. In addition, scattered showers will be found Tuesday
over the northern mountains but wetting precipitation will be spotty
and mainly near the CO border, and where it looks to be unstable
enough for isolated thunderstorms.

The combination of strong winds and very dry conditions along with
numerous hours of single digit humidities will be focused along and
south of I-40 and along and east of I-25 on Wednesday. Although high
temperatures will be about 10-15 degrees cooler than normal, decided
to go ahead with a Fire Weather watch for that area due to the wind
and humidities. Although at least localized critical conditions are
possible mainly over eastern NM Thursday and Friday, at this time
more widespread critical fire weather conditions could return on
Saturday.

&&

.ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
High Wind Warning until 3 PM MDT Tuesday for the following zones...
NMZ201-202-205-206.

Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for the following
zones... NMZ101>109.

Fire Weather Watch from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening
for the following zones... NMZ103>109.

Red Flag Warning from 10 AM to 9 PM MDT Tuesday for the following
zones... NMZ103-104-106>108.

Wind Advisory from 8 AM to 9 PM MDT Tuesday for the following
zones... NMZ207-211-216>220-222-241.

High Wind Warning from 8 AM to 9 PM MDT Tuesday for the following
zones... NMZ208-212-221-223>226-228>240.

Wind Advisory until 8 AM MDT Tuesday for the following zones...
NMZ221-223-224-226-228-229-233-239-240.

High Wind Warning from 9 PM this evening to 9 PM MDT Tuesday for
the following zones... NMZ210-213>215-227.

Wind Advisory until 9 PM MDT this evening for the following zones...
 NMZ213>215-227.

&&

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

24 high wind, 3 wildfire. Local standard time, as filed.

Wildfire, Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area

When: April 11, 12:30 PM MST to April 25, 2:43 PM MST
Where: Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area forecast zone
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.0 million
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 35.002, -106.839 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

With a dangerous fire weather pattern in place across all of northern and central New Mexico due to exceptionally dry conditions and very strong winds, the stage was set for fires to spread quickly. On April 11, 2022, a human-caused wildfire was started northeast of Belen. The Big Hole Fire spread quickly to 890 acres by April 15th with 60 percent containment, and the wildfire was finally 100 percent contained on April 25th. One home was destroyed while eighteen outbuildings were also destroyed, but over one hundred other residences were threatened due to its close proximity to Belen. One firefighter was injured while responding. Damages are estimated.

High Wind, West Central Plateau

When: April 12, 3:53 AM MST to 10:25 AM MST
Where: West Central Plateau forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 34.803, -108.222 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An ASOS station near Gallup measured a peak wind gust of 62 mph.

High Wind, South Central Mountains

When: April 12, 3:55 AM MST to 4:35 PM MST
Where: South Central Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 33.745, -105.459 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several weather stations across the South Central Mountains measured wind gusts in excess of 70 mph with the highest wind gust of 80 mph measured at a RAWS station near Ruidoso.

High Wind, Northeast Highlands

When: April 12, 7:30 AM MST to 12:45 PM MST
Where: Northeast Highlands forecast zone
Measured: 44 kt (51 mph) measured sustained
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.480, -104.816 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An ASOS station near Las Vegas measured a peak sustained wind speed of 51 mph.

High Wind, Northeast Highlands

When: April 12, 7:45 AM MST to 12:10 PM MST
Where: Northeast Highlands forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.480, -104.816 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An ASOS station near Las Vegas measured a peak wind gust of 69 mph.

High Wind, Far Northeast Highlands

When: April 12, 8:00 AM MST to 11:45 AM MST
Where: Far Northeast Highlands forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) measured sustained
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.308, -104.796 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A weather station near Cimarron measured a peak sustained wind speed of 45 mph.

High Wind, Tusas Mountains Including Chama

When: April 12, 8:19 AM MST to 11:44 AM MST
Where: Tusas Mountains Including Chama forecast zone
Measured: 36 kt (41 mph) measured sustained
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.544, -106.162 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A weather station near Vallecitos measured a peak sustained wind speed of 41 mph.

High Wind, East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains

When: April 12, 8:35 AM MST to 8:55 AM MST
Where: East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 36.032, -104.803 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An AWOS station near Angel Fire measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.

High Wind, Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass

When: April 12, 8:45 AM MST to 11:45 AM MST
Where: Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass forecast zone
Measured: 45 kt (52 mph) measured sustained
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.544, -104.059 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A weather station south of Capulin measured a peak sustained wind speed of 52 mph.

High Wind, Union County

When: April 12, 8:50 AM MST to 1:55 PM MST
Where: Union County forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) measured sustained
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 36.482, -103.471 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An ASOS station near Clayton measured a peak sustained wind speed of 49 mph.

High Wind, Central Highlands

When: April 12, 8:53 AM MST to 3:53 PM MST
Where: Central Highlands forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.209, -105.548 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An ASOS station near Clines Corners measured a peak wind gust of 69 mph.

High Wind, Union County

When: April 12, 8:55 AM MST to 1:55 PM MST
Where: Union County forecast zone
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 36.482, -103.471 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An ASOS station near Clayton measured a peak wind gust of 70 mph.

High Wind, Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass

When: April 12, 9:00 AM MST to 10:00 AM MST
Where: Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.544, -104.059 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A weather station south of Capulin measured a peak wind gust of 64 mph.

High Wind, Glorieta Mesa Including Glorieta Pass

When: April 12, 9:15 AM MST to 10:45 AM MST
Where: Glorieta Mesa Including Glorieta Pass forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) measured sustained
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.494, -105.396 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A weather station near Seton Village measured a peak sustained wind speed of 50 mph.

High Wind, Quay County

When: April 12, 9:55 AM MST to 2:53 PM MST
Where: Quay County forecast zone
Measured: 40 kt (46 mph) measured sustained
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.104, -103.550 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An ASOS station near Tucumcari measured a peak sustained wind speed of 46 mph.

High Wind, Quay County

When: April 12, 11:00 AM MST to 2:55 PM MST
Where: Quay County forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.104, -103.550 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An ASOS station near Tucumcari measured a peak wind gust of 64 mph.

High Wind, Upper Tularosa Valley

When: April 12, 12:09 PM MST to 4:00 PM MST
Where: Upper Tularosa Valley forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 33.876, -106.194 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mesonet station near Carrizozo measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.

High Wind, South Central Highlands

When: April 12, 12:18 PM MST to 12:43 PM MST
Where: South Central Highlands forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.277, -106.262 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mesonet station near Corona measured a peak wind gust of 60 mph.

Wildfire, South Central Mountains

When: April 12, 12:30 PM MST to April 30, 11:59 PM MST
Where: South Central Mountains forecast zone
Property damage: $5.0 million
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 33.745, -105.459 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A downed power line about 4.3 miles southwest of Nogal sparked the Nogal Canyon Fire on April 12, 2022. This fire spread to 400 acres by April 13th and destroyed 6 homes and 8 outbuildings while threatening 50 others. Residences in Nogal Canyon up to New Mexico State Highway 37 were given evacuation orders. By April 17th, the fire had spread to 433 acres with 4 percent containment. By the end of the month on April 30th, the Nogal Canyon Fire was 84 percent contained with full containment anticipated in May. Damages are estimated.

High Wind, Guadalupe County

When: April 12, 12:35 PM MST to 1:00 PM MST
Where: Guadalupe County forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 34.863, -104.791 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An AWOS station near Santa Rosa measured a peak wind gust of 69 mph.

Wildfire, South Central Mountains

When: April 12, 12:37 PM MST to April 30, 11:59 PM MST
Where: South Central Mountains forecast zone
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $10 million
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 33.745, -105.459 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The McBride Fire started on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, in Gavilan Canyon within the Village of Ruidoso and spread quickly due to 70 to 80 mph winds in the area. By Thursday, April 14th, the fire had burned more than 5,700 acres and burned 207 homes and structures while threatening 1,000 more. The wildfire prompted mandatory evacuations for an estimated 5,000 people. By Sunday, April 17th, the wildfire grew to 6,185 acres, but was 52 percent contained which allowed for evacuation orders to be lifted. At the end of the month on April 30th, the McBride Fire was 95 percent contained. The wildfire is estimated to be fully contained in early May. The cause of the wildfire is unknown. Unfortunately, this wildfire was responsible for the deaths of an elderly couple in Ruidoso. The couple tried to evacuate according to family members, but were unaccounted for. While their vehicle was still at their destroyed home, their remains were found near their home on Wednesday, April 13th. No other information has been made available. Damages are estimated.

High Wind, West Central Mountains

When: April 12, 12:39 PM MST to 1:09 PM MST
Where: West Central Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.821, -107.693 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A weather station north of Pie Town measured a peak wind gust of 65 mph.

High Wind, Southwest Mountains

When: April 12, 1:07 PM MST to 2:07 PM MST
Where: Southwest Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 33.961, -107.667 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A RAWS station near Luna measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.

High Wind, Lower Rio Grande Valley

When: April 12, 1:15 PM MST to 4:15 PM MST
Where: Lower Rio Grande Valley forecast zone
Measured: 62 kt (71 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.007, -106.930 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A White Sands Missile Range mesonet station southeast of Socorro measured a peak wind gust of 71 mph.

High Wind, Estancia Valley

When: April 12, 1:29 PM MST to 4:26 PM MST
Where: Estancia Valley forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.066, -106.166 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A weather station near Estancia measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.

High Wind, Southwest Chaves County

When: April 12, 1:36 PM MST to 2:36 PM MST
Where: Southwest Chaves County forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 33.363, -104.467 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A RAWS station near Dunken measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.

High Wind, Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area

When: April 12, 3:27 PM MST to 3:52 PM MST
Where: Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.002, -106.839 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An ASOS station near Albuquerque measured a peak wind gust of 61 mph.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Wildfire, South Central Mountains	2022-04-13		Male	Permanent Home	Direct
Wildfire, South Central Mountains	2022-04-13		Female	Permanent Home	Direct

What these are

Wildfire: A fire burning in wildland vegetation, with its acreage and damage where known.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in New Mexico in 2022 Every state in 2022 This day in weather history Warnings in New Mexico, April 2022

Sources

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: 1010515, 1008269, 1008281, 1008287, 1008285, 1008284, 1008273, 1008275, 1008283, 1008289, 1008278, 1008288, 1008282, 1008274, 1008293, 1008292, 1008280, 1008279, 1012051, 1008291, 1012040, 1008270, 1008272, 1008276, 1008277, 1008295, 1008296.