A weakening upper-level disturbance moved through the Desert Southwest and Four Corners on February 21st with a Pacific cold front sweeping through New Mexico at the surface. High wind impacts occurred at the Sierra Blanca airport in the Sacramento Mountains with a high sustained wind of 43 mph and wind gust of 59 mph.
Every event with a place to put it; 3 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 weakening upper-level disturbance moved through the Desert Southwest and Four Corners on February 21st with a Pacific cold front sweeping through New Mexico at the surface. High wind impacts occurred at the Sierra Blanca airport in the Sacramento Mountains with a high sustained wind of 43 mph and wind gust of 59 mph. A 67 mph wind gust was observed at the Roswell airport in the Chaves County Plains, and 58 and 69 mph wind gusts at Dunken in southwest Chaves County. The 67 mph wind gust at Roswell came with haze as a visibility as low as 1.25 miles. Strong southwest and west winds tapered off gradually after sunset.
An upper level disturbance crossed the Desert Southwest February 21st with an associated surface cold front. Deep layer mixing allowed for strong winds aloft to reach most of northern and central NM during the afternoon period. High winds were observed at several locations over south-central and eastern NM including the Sierra Blanca Airport near Ruidoso, Roswell, and Dunken. Numerous dust sources, including the White Sands National Monument became activated blowing dust and sand across the Sacramento Mountains and over Chaves County. Low visibility falling to one and a quarter mile was observed at the Roswell Airport. Thankfully no impacts were reported.
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 21, 10:40 AM MST, 2 hours 15 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 1040 AM MST Wed Feb 21 2024 ...New AVIATION... .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 306 AM MST Wed Feb 21 2024 It will feel like spring today with well above average temperatures, gusty west winds, critical fire weather conditions, and localized blowing dust. A few showers are possible across the northwest, but it will be mostly dry areawide. Temperatures cool late week behind a Pacific front, but rebound by the weekend. Windy and wet weather returns to at least the western half of the state early next week. && .SHORT TERM... (Today through Thursday) Issued at 306 AM MST Wed Feb 21 2024 Ridge of high pressure will break down throughout the day today as a decaying trough tours the Desert Southwest. Winds aloft will strengthen significantly as a 150kt 300mb jet max drapes itself from the southwest corner of the state diagonally to the northeast corner by midday. Flow at 700mb strengthens to over 50kts in places across the CWA, but most especially in and around the south central mts. Meanwhile, a deepening lee-side sfc low in eastern CO will meander towards the TX/OK Panhandles throughout the afternoon. All this in the presence of well above average mixing heights will allow for strong winds aloft to translate to the sfc easily this afternoon. Sustained winds of 30kts and gusts to 44kts will be possible across much of the higher terrain, as well as much of the highlands and plains. Given the orientation of the jet max and potential for vigorous momentum transfer, did opt to expand the Wind Advisory. With the elevated flow sitting above the south central mts and southwest Chaves Co, likelihood exists for the zones to hit high wind, and as such, did upgrade them to a High Wind Warning. A scant of moisture accompanies the trough's passage this afternoon and in the presence of enhanced forcing, a few light showers may form across the northwest portion of the state. A particularly warm disturbance, a majority of the precip will fall as rain, with snow being localized to the extreme high terrain. Little accumulation is expected. Quieter weather returns Thursday with cooler temperatures prevailing in the wake of the Pacific fropa. A breezy backdoor front will descend down the eastern plains, resulting in a reinforcing shot of cold air. && .LONG TERM... (Thursday night through Tuesday) Issued at 306 AM MST Wed Feb 21 2024 Dry northwest flow will allow tranquil weather will prevail Friday across the area. High temps will be slightly above average thanks to the amplifying ridge to the west and the dry airmass will keep it mostly clear. Temps continue to warm Saturday as the ridge flattens somewhat and slides eastward into New Mexico. Zonal flow over the central mountains will begin to create some breezes in the adjacent highlands Saturday afternoon, but winds really begin to pick-up Sunday afternoon as a SW/NE oriented jet max comes in front the west. At this point, the closed Low off the California coast will begin to open as it phases with the upper-level trough over the Pacific Northwest. There is still some disagreement on the depth of the trough and how progressive it will be, but New Mexico should be located upstream of the trough axis early next week, creating windy conditions across the area. Warm air advection out ahead of the trough and downslope drying will keep snow levels high(8-9kft), but even rain will struggle to make it down to the surface Monday given the dry and well-mixed boundary layer. Clouds could help to dampen forecast wind speeds, but it should be at least windy Sunday and Monday afternoon across the region. The trough axis will probably swing through sometime late Tuesday into Wednesday, sending a potent Pacific front across the area. This would be the best time frame for wetting precipitation at lower elevations, but significant precipitation appears unlikely. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1040 AM MST Wed Feb 21 2024 Southwest to west winds will begin to increase beginning 11 AM MST. Gusts of 30 to 35 kts across western and central TAF sites and 35 to 40 kts across eastern TAF sites are expected this afternoon. The peak gusts are expected during the late afternoon and early evening hours during the cold front passage. An Airport Weather Warning for wind gusts of 35 kts may be needed at around 3 to 4 PM MST for KABQ as the cold front moves through the region. VFR conditions will prevail this afternoon and evening, with the one exception being across the southeastern plains, including KROW due to blowing dust. Gusty west winds will taper off quickest across western TAF sites after sunset, occurring more slowly moving east with eastern TAF sites seeing lighter winds after midnight. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 306 AM MST Wed Feb 21 2024 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING ACROSS MOST OF NORTHEASTERN, EAST CENTRAL, AND CENTRAL NEW MEXICO, DUE TO LOW HUMIDITY, STRONG WINDS, AND ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES... Widespread critical fire weather conditions are anticipated today as strong winds combine with low relative humidity. The ridge of high pressure will break down today as a disturbance makes its approach. Southwest winds will peak this afternoon around 1400 MST, with the frontal passage turning winds westerly around 1600 MST. Gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be commonplace for most areas this afternoon. Minimum relative humidity will bottom out in the low double digits to single digits for areas east of the Continental Divide. While fuel moisture remains the limiting factor, after incredibly dry conditions yesterday and moisture depleting west/southwest winds, did decide to continue the Red Flag Warning. Winds relax Wednesday evening with cooler air filtering in behind the frontal passage. Increased moisture will be seen areawide on Thursday, with most areas seeing a 7 to 15 percent increase in RH from Wednesday's readings. High pressure returns overhead Friday and Sunday, resulting in a downtrend in ventilation. The next disturbance featuring cooler temperatures and chances for precipitation will make its arrival early next week. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Farmington...................... 59 30 54 25 / 5 5 0 0 Dulce........................... 55 24 51 16 / 10 5 0 0 Cuba............................ 57 28 49 23 / 5 5 0 0 Gallup.......................... 56 24 53 17 / 5 0 0 0 El Morro........................ 54 28 50 21 / 0 5 0 0 Grants.......................... 59 26 53 19 / 0 0 0 0 Quemado......................... 56 28 51 24 / 0 0 0 0 Magdalena....................... 60 31 54 31 / 0 0 0 0 Datil........................... 55 28 51 27 / 0 0 0 0 Reserve......................... 59 25 60 25 / 0 0 0 0 Glenwood........................ 63 34 63 36 / 0 0 0 0 Chama........................... 48 20 44 14 / 10 5 0 0 Los Alamos...................... 55 30 49 28 / 0 0 0 0 Pecos........................... 57 29 52 25 / 0 0 0 0 Cerro/Questa.................... 49 28 45 28 / 5 0 0 5 Red River....................... 46 19 41 15 / 5 0 0 5 Angel Fire...................... 45 16 40 4 / 5 5 0 5 Taos............................ 55 24 49 20 / 5 0 0 0 Mora............................ 56 28 50 21 / 0 0 0 0 Espanola........................ 63 30 57 24 / 0 0 0 0 Santa Fe........................ 57 31 51 28 / 0 0 0 0 Santa Fe Airport................ 61 30 54 26 / 0 0 0 0 Albuquerque Foothills........... 64 37 56 33 / 0 0 0 0 Albuquerque Heights............. 66 36 58 31 / 0 0 0 0 Albuquerque Valley.............. 68 34 60 28 / 0 0 0 0 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 67 34 59 30 / 0 0 0 0 Belen........................... 69 32 61 24 / 0 0 0 0 Bernalillo...................... 66 34 59 29 / 0 0 0 0 Bosque Farms.................... 68 32 60 25 / 0 0 0 0 Corrales........................ 67 34 59 30 / 0 0 0 0 Los Lunas....................... 68 32 60 26 / 0 0 0 0 Placitas........................ 62 34 54 31 / 0 0 0 0 Rio Rancho...................... 66 34 58 30 / 0 0 0 0 Socorro......................... 71 37 64 33 / 0 0 0 0 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 58 32 50 29 / 0 0 0 0 Tijeras......................... 60 33 52 30 / 0 0 0 0 Edgewood........................ 61 32 53 26 / 0 0 0 0 Moriarty/Estancia............... 64 28 55 22 / 0 0 0 0 Clines Corners.................. 59 29 51 24 / 0 0 0 0 Mountainair..................... 62 31 53 26 / 0 0 0 0 Gran Quivira.................... 61 30 54 26 / 0 0 0 0 Carrizozo....................... 65 35 58 34 / 0 0 0 0 Ruidoso......................... 59 32 54 30 / 0 0 0 0 Capulin......................... 60 27 46 24 / 0 0 0 5 Raton........................... 62 26 51 23 / 0 0 0 5 Springer........................ 65 27 54 23 / 0 0 0 0 Las Vegas....................... 61 28 53 24 / 0 0 0 0 Clayton......................... 70 35 54 31 / 0 0 0 0 Roy............................. 66 31 55 28 / 0 0 0 0 Conchas......................... 74 34 61 32 / 0 0 0 0 Santa Rosa...................... 70 36 59 28 / 0 0 0 0 Tucumcari....................... 75 35 60 30 / 0 0 0 0 Clovis.......................... 78 38 63 33 / 0 0 0 0 Portales........................ 79 39 64 32 / 0 0 0 0 Fort Sumner..................... 75 38 63 30 / 0 0 0 0 Roswell......................... 81 41 69 37 / 0 0 0 0 Picacho......................... 72 37 64 32 / 0 0 0 0 Elk............................. 69 34 65 30 / 0 0 0 0 && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Red Flag Warning until 7 PM MST this evening for NMZ104-106- 123>126. Wind Advisory until 7 PM MST this evening for NMZ208-214-215-221- 223>225-227>229-233-238-239. High Wind Warning until 7 PM MST this evening for NMZ226-240. && SHORT TERM...12 LONG TERM....16 AVIATION...71
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
3 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The Sierra Blanca Airport recorded a peak wind gust of 59 mph. Sustained winds also reached a high of 43 mph. Blowing sand from Wind Sands National Park blew over the south-central mountains as well.
The Dunken RAWS mesonet station measured a peak wind gust of 69 mph.
The Roswell Airport measured a peak wind gust of 67 mph. Blowing dust also reduced visibility to one quarter mile.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, February 2024
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: 1153369, 1153371, 1153370.