Dust Storm and High Wind in New Mexico, March 18 to 19, 2025

Name: Dust Storm and High Wind in New Mexico, March 18 to 19, 2025
Start: 2025-03-18T08:30
End: 2025-03-19T00:52
Location: New Mexico

March 18 to 19, 2025 · NWS MAF · 25 events in 5 counties and zones

An intense trough digging into the Four Corners region with rapid cyclogenesis over eastern Colorado produced high winds and blowing dust across much of the southern Great Plains.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 25 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: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $1.1 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 25

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 MAF wrote it up.

An intense trough digging into the Four Corners region with rapid cyclogenesis over eastern Colorado produced high winds and blowing dust across much of the southern Great Plains.

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 Midland/Odessa, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 18, 4:21 AM MST, 4 hours 9 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 18, 4:21 AM MST, 4 hours 9 minutes before

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The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

22 high wind, 3 dust storm. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Eddy County Plains

When: March 18, 8:30 AM MST to March 19, 12:52 AM MST
Where: Eddy County Plains forecast zone
Measured: 71 kt (82 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 32.472, -104.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A maximum wind gust of 82 MPH was observed at the West Texas Mesonet site, Carlsbad Caverns NP.

High Wind, Eddy County Plains

When: March 18, 9:25 AM MST to 5:35 PM MST
Where: Eddy County Plains forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 32.472, -104.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the New Mexico Climate Center station, NMC61 4.9W Hope, a maximum wind gust of 65 MPH was recorded.

High Wind, Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County

When: March 18, 10:13 AM MST to 11:13 AM MST
Where: Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 32.472, -104.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A maximum wind gust of 63 MPH was observed at the RAWS station, QENN5 Queen, in the Guadalupe Mountains.

High Wind, Eddy County Plains

When: March 18, 11:00 AM MST to 12:00 PM MST
Where: Eddy County Plains forecast zone
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 32.472, -104.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported that a tree was knocked down by high winds near Hope. The wind speeds were estimated to be approximately 70 MPH. The time of the event and the amount of property damage are estimations.

Dust Storm, Eddy County Plains

When: March 18, 11:15 AM MST to 4:15 PM MST
Where: Eddy County Plains forecast zone
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.472, -104.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Eddy County local law enforcement reported at least 13 vehicle accidents, mainly on US Highway 25. Approximately 30 to 40 vehicles were involved in all accidents. Injuries were reported, but no further information was provided. Blowing dust along US Highway 285 caused by high winds between 60 and 80 MPH reduced visibility to near zero for several hours. The time and amount of property damage are estimates for all events.

Dust Storm, Eddy County Plains

When: March 18, 11:30 AM MST to 1:30 PM MST
Where: Eddy County Plains forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 32.472, -104.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported blowing dust along US Highway 82 between Hope and Artesia, resulting in near-zero visibility. Traffic was stopped. The time is estimated.

Dust Storm, Eddy County Plains

When: March 18, 11:45 AM MST to 1:45 PM MST
Where: Eddy County Plains forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 32.472, -104.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter sent pictures and video of near-zero visibility due to blowing dust north of Artesia. The duration for this report is an estimation.

High Wind, Eddy County Plains

When: March 18, 11:55 AM MST to 5:55 PM MST
Where: Eddy County Plains forecast zone
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 32.472, -104.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A maximum wind gust of 68 MPH was observed at the Artesia AWOS station.

High Wind, Eddy County Plains

When: March 18, 12:30 PM MST to 2:30 PM MST
Where: Eddy County Plains forecast zone
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.472, -104.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Eddy County Emergency Management reported at least four power poles blown down in Carlsbad due to high winds. The estimated wind speeds for this damage were approximately 80 MPH. The time and amount of property damage are estimates.

High Wind, Eddy County Plains

When: March 18, 12:49 PM MST to 7:53 PM MST
Where: Eddy County Plains forecast zone
Measured: 64 kt (74 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 32.472, -104.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A maximum wind gust of 74 MPH was observed at the Carlsbad Caverns Airport ASOS station.

High Wind, Eddy County Plains

When: March 18, 1:38 PM MST to 1:43 PM MST
Where: Eddy County Plains forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 32.472, -104.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A maximum wind gust of 58 MPH was observed at the CWOP site, GW0175 Lakewood.

High Wind, Eddy County Plains

When: March 18, 1:50 PM MST to 3:50 PM MST
Where: Eddy County Plains forecast zone
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 32.472, -104.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter reported that between 3 and 6 power poles were blown down at multiple intersections in Artesia. The wind speeds for this damage were approximately 70 MPH. Time is approximate, and the amount of property damage is an estimate.

High Wind, Eddy County Plains

When: March 18, 2:15 PM MST to 2:20 PM MST
Where: Eddy County Plains forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 32.472, -104.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the New Mexico Climate Center station, NMC01 1.1S Atoka, a maximum wind gust of 58 MPH was observed.

High Wind, Eddy County Plains

When: March 18, 2:40 PM MST to 7:40 PM MST
Where: Eddy County Plains forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 32.472, -104.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A maximum wind gust of 61 MPH was observed at the RAWS station, CPPN5 Caprock.

High Wind, Northern Lea County

When: March 18, 2:45 PM MST to 6:56 PM MST
Where: Northern Lea County forecast zone
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 32.792, -103.412 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A maximum wind gust of 72 MPH was observed at the West Texas Mesonet site, 2SW Tatum.

High Wind, Southern Lea County

When: March 18, 3:01 PM MST to 8:00 PM MST
Where: Southern Lea County forecast zone
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 32.792, -103.412 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A maximum wind gust of 66 MPH was observed at the CWOP site, FW9687 Eunice.

High Wind, Northern Lea County

When: March 18, 3:01 PM MST to 7:36 PM MST
Where: Northern Lea County forecast zone
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 32.792, -103.412 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A maximum wind gust of 72 MPH was recorded at the CWOP site, CW0386 Tatum.

High Wind, Southern Lea County

When: March 18, 4:01 PM MST to 7:46 PM MST
Where: Southern Lea County forecast zone
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 32.792, -103.412 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A maximum wind gust of 67 MPH was observed at the CWOP site, FW9690 Jal.

High Wind, Southern Lea County

When: March 18, 4:15 PM MST to 6:04 PM MST
Where: Southern Lea County forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 32.792, -103.412 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A maximum wind gust of 61 MPH was observed at the West Texas Mesonet site, 17NW Jal.

High Wind, Central Lea County

When: March 18, 4:50 PM MST to 8:15 PM MST
Where: Central Lea County forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 32.792, -103.412 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A maximum wind gust of 64 MPH was observed at the Hobbs Lea County Airport AWOS station.

High Wind, Central Lea County

When: March 18, 5:16 PM MST to 7:53 PM MST
Where: Central Lea County forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 32.792, -103.412 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A maximum wind gust of 65 MPH was observed at the West Texas Mesonet site, 3NW Hobbs.

High Wind, Southern Lea County

When: March 18, 5:45 PM MST to 6:30 PM MST
Where: Southern Lea County forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 32.792, -103.412 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A maximum wind gust of 59 MPH was observed at the CWOP site, FW9689 Jal.

High Wind, Central Lea County

When: March 18, 6:46 PM MST to 7:00 PM MST
Where: Central Lea County forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 32.792, -103.412 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A maximum wind gust of 61 MPH was observed at the CWOP site, FW0979 Hobbs.

High Wind, Eddy County Plains

When: March 18, 6:52 PM MST to 8:52 PM MST
Where: Eddy County Plains forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 32.472, -104.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A maximum wind gust of 61 MPH was observed at the RAWS station, BATN5 Batdraw.

High Wind, Eddy County Plains

When: March 18, 7:40 PM MST to 7:45 PM MST
Where: Eddy County Plains forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 32.472, -104.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the New Mexico Climate Center station, NMC35 Loving High School, a maximum wind gust of 58 MPH was observed.

What these are

High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Dust Storm: Blowing dust that reduced visibility to a quarter mile or less.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in New Mexico in 2025 Every state in 2025 This day in weather history Warnings in New Mexico, March 2025

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1243324, 1243321, 1243322, 1243285, 1243278, 1243281, 1243283, 1243328, 1243280, 1243334, 1243326, 1243292, 1243330, 1243333, 1243313, 1243304, 1243316, 1243305, 1243303, 1243306, 1243315, 1243307, 1243319, 1243338, 1243336.