New Mexico, 2026High Wind in New Mexico, June 27 to 29, 2026
June 27 to 29, 2026 · NWS ABQ · 3 events in 2 counties and zones
Strong southwesterly winds flowed over New Mexico ahead of an upper level trough developing over the western CONUS June 27th through 29th. While there were associated critical fire weather conditions, there were also a few instances of high wind gusts mixing down to the surface at Gallup and Clines Corners, NM.
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.
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- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
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- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 3
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.
Strong southwesterly winds flowed over New Mexico ahead of an upper level trough developing over the western CONUS June 27th through 29th. While there were associated critical fire weather conditions, there were also a few instances of high wind gusts mixing down to the surface at Gallup and Clines Corners, NM.
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 Jun 27, 12:31 PM MST, 18 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Updated at 127 PM MDT Sat Jun 27 2026
- Dry and windy conditions will develop this weekend, increasing the threat of rapid fire spread and large fire growth across much of northern and central New Mexico. Critical fire weather conditions will likely persist across northeast New Mexico early next week.
- There will be a moderate risk of heat-induced illness for sensitive groups in eastern New Mexico this weekend.
- Isolated afternoon storms may impact outdoor activities in far southeast New Mexico each day through Wednesday.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 27, 12:31 PM MST, 18 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
131 PM MDT Sat Jun 27 2026
...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, FIRE WEATHER...
.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 127 PM MDT Sat Jun 27 2026
- Dry and windy conditions will develop this weekend, increasing
the threat of rapid fire spread and large fire growth across
much of northern and central New Mexico. Critical fire weather
conditions will likely persist across northeast New Mexico early
next week.
- There will be a moderate risk of heat-induced illness for
sensitive groups in eastern New Mexico this weekend.
- Isolated afternoon storms may impact outdoor activities in far
southeast New Mexico each day through Wednesday.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Sunday night)
Issued at 127 PM MDT Sat Jun 27 2026
Satellite imagery shows a dry mid-level airmass pushing in from the
west out ahead of a longwave trough over The Great Basin.
Impressively high sfc dewpoints this morning will rapidly plummet
this afternoon as the more moist airmass at the surface gets mixed
out. Winds will trend stronger this afternoon as a 700mb jet pushes
into western NM. 700mb winds of 30 to 40 knots will mix down to the
surface so gusts in the 40 to 50 mph range will be commonplace
throughout western and northern NM this afternoon and early evening.
An isolated gusty virga shower cannot be ruled out in central NM this
afternoon where there is just enough lingering mid-level moisture.
While coverage will be very limited, the ample DCAPE at the surface
could bring very localized strong winds down to the surface. A few
storms may develop across the southeast as well, but the severe
threat will remain low given the modest instability.
The jet moves overhead tonight so winds will likely remain elevated
through the night over the high terrain, with intermittent gusts
down to the surface elsewhere. Winds increase mid to late morning
Sunday areawide, with peak gusts generally near, if not slightly
higher, compared to today's gusts. It will also be slightly drier as
the main dry slot associated with the longwave trough moves eastward
into western NM. High temperatures will be very similar both
Saturday and Monday, with near to slightly below normal temps in the
west and above average temps in the east.
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Monday through Friday)
Issued at 127 PM MDT Sat Jun 27 2026
A shortwave on the SW side of the longwave trough over The Great
Basin will break off Monday as the broader trough begins to lift
into the northern Rockies. Flow aloft will trend slightly weaker so
winds at the sfc will not be quite as strong as over the weekend.
Winds trend stronger again Tuesday as the shortwave trough treks
eastward into the desert SW. The veering winds will begin to draw
sub-tropical moisture northward, with low chance PoPs extending
northward to I-40 Tuesday afternoon. Since SW flow looks to remain
in place through the middle of the week, moisture will struggle to
spread north and westward as a result, keeping precipitation chances
confined to the area south of I-40 and east of I-25.
Westerly flow looks like it will finally begin to diminish over the
weekend into early next week as ridging amplifies over the Rockies.
This will draw moisture northward, increasing humidity and bringing
higher rain chances. Storm chances may finally extend into central
and western portions of the state early next week.
&&
.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1136 AM MDT Sat Jun 27 2026
VFR conditions will continue to prevail through the TAF period. SW
winds will strengthen this afternoon, with the strongest winds
focusing over northwest NM where gusts of 30 to 40 knots will be
commonplace. There is a very low chance (<10%) of a few isolated,
gusty virga showers in central NM this afternoon, with a slightly
higher chance (10-20%) of storms in far SE NM.
A light breeze will prevail in most areas through the night, with
stronger winds in and around the high terrain. This will create
widespread LLWS around the state, although it is unlikely to reach
the 30 knot criteria to be included at any TAF sites.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 127 PM MDT Sat Jun 27 2026
Dry southwest flow will prevail over New Mexico this weekend,
creating widespread critical fire weather conditions. Wetting
rainfall from the past few days may create temporary improvements to
fuel dryness today, but these improvements will be short-lived after
a several day stretch of dry and hot conditions. Southwest winds of
20 to 30 mph will be similar both today and Sunday, with slightly
stronger winds across the northeast on Sunday. Sunday will also be a
tad drier with humidities generally 2 to 4% lower than Saturday.
Very isolated gusty virga showers may develop in central and
northern NM both today and tomorrow with a few storms across the
southeast plains.
The synoptic pattern will remain largely unchanged early next week,
with south to southwest winds, near average temperatures, and low
afternoon humidities (10-20% in most areas). Winds will likely
decrease enough to hold off critical conditions in western and
central areas, with critical coverage confined to the northeast.
Given the RFTI values of 4 to 7 across the northeast, a Fire Weather
Watch was issued for the northeastern portion of the state on
Monday. The same area will be a candidate for another Watch Tuesday.
Moisture will gradually increase from the south mid to late next
week as ridging begins to amplify over The Great Plains. Storm
chances will favor eastern NM, with coverage likely extending
westward next weekend.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Farmington...................... 57 91 55 88 / 0 0 0 0
Dulce........................... 47 86 47 83 / 0 0 0 0
Cuba............................ 53 87 52 84 / 0 0 0 0
Gallup.......................... 53 86 48 84 / 0 0 0 0
El Morro........................ 52 84 50 82 / 0 0 0 0
Grants.......................... 53 88 51 86 / 0 0 0 0
Quemado......................... 55 85 53 84 / 0 0 0 0
Magdalena....................... 60 89 59 87 / 0 0 0 5
Datil........................... 56 84 54 82 / 0 0 0 0
Reserve......................... 54 89 52 87 / 0 0 0 0
Glenwood........................ 59 93 57 91 / 0 0 0 0
Chama........................... 45 80 45 77 / 0 0 0 0
Los Alamos...................... 60 86 59 83 / 0 5 5 0
Pecos........................... 56 88 55 85 / 0 10 5 0
Cerro/Questa.................... 52 83 52 80 / 0 10 5 0
Red River....................... 47 73 45 70 / 0 10 5 0
Angel Fire...................... 43 78 43 76 / 0 10 10 0
Taos............................ 53 86 52 83 / 0 10 5 0
Mora............................ 54 84 53 82 / 0 10 10 0
Espanola........................ 59 93 59 90 / 0 10 5 0
Santa Fe........................ 58 88 58 84 / 0 10 5 0
Santa Fe Airport................ 57 91 57 88 / 0 5 5 0
Albuquerque Foothills........... 63 94 62 91 / 0 0 5 5
Albuquerque Heights............. 64 94 64 92 / 0 0 5 5
Albuquerque Valley.............. 63 96 63 94 / 0 0 5 10
Albuquerque West Mesa........... 64 95 63 92 / 0 0 5 5
Belen........................... 63 97 62 95 / 0 5 0 5
Bernalillo...................... 63 95 63 93 / 0 0 5 0
Bosque Farms.................... 62 95 61 93 / 0 5 5 10
Corrales........................ 64 95 63 93 / 0 0 5 0
Los Lunas....................... 62 96 61 94 / 0 5 5 10
Placitas........................ 64 91 63 89 / 0 0 5 0
Rio Rancho...................... 64 94 64 91 / 0 0 5 0
Socorro......................... 67 99 66 97 / 0 0 0 0
Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 59 88 58 85 / 0 0 5 0
Tijeras......................... 60 89 59 87 / 0 0 5 0
Edgewood........................ 59 90 58 87 / 0 0 0 0
Moriarty/Estancia............... 57 91 55 89 / 0 0 0 0
Clines Corners.................. 58 87 56 85 / 0 0 0 0
Mountainair..................... 60 90 58 88 / 0 0 0 0
Gran Quivira.................... 60 89 59 87 / 0 0 0 0
Carrizozo....................... 67 93 66 91 / 0 0 0 0
Ruidoso......................... 62 85 60 83 / 0 0 0 0
Capulin......................... 57 89 56 87 / 0 0 0 0
Raton........................... 55 92 55 90 / 0 5 0 0
Springer........................ 58 94 56 92 / 0 5 0 0
Las Vegas....................... 60 88 58 86 / 0 5 0 0
Clayton......................... 65 97 65 95 / 0 0 0 0
Roy............................. 62 92 61 90 / 0 0 0 0
Conchas......................... 68 101 67 98 / 0 0 0 0
Santa Rosa...................... 67 97 66 95 / 0 0 0 0
Tucumcari....................... 71 102 70 99 / 0 0 0 0
Clovis.......................... 68 98 68 96 / 10 10 10 10
Portales........................ 70 101 69 98 / 10 10 10 10
Fort Sumner..................... 69 100 68 98 / 0 0 0 5
Roswell......................... 71 103 71 100 / 10 10 10 10
Picacho......................... 68 96 67 94 / 0 5 5 5
Elk............................. 65 91 63 89 / 0 5 5 0
&&
.ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Red Flag Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for NMZ101-104-105-
109-120-121-123-125.
Red Flag Warning from 11 AM to 8 PM MDT Sunday for NMZ101-104-
105-109-120-121-123-125.
Fire Weather Watch from Monday afternoon through Monday evening
for NMZ104-123.
Wind Advisory until 8 PM MDT this evening for NMZ202-205-210-216.
&&
SHORT TERM...16
LONG TERM....16
AVIATION...16
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jun 27, 9:14 AM MST, 3 hours 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
1014 AM MDT Sat Jun 27 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0541 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 6 E Storrie Lake State 35.65N 105.13W
06/26/2026 M64 MPH San Miguel NM ASOS
Delayed Report: ASOS station KLVS Las Vegas Muni Airport.
0831 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SW Dora 33.92N 103.36W
06/26/2026 M60 MPH Roosevelt NM Mesonet
Delayed Report: Mesonet station 53 Dora 2 SW.
&&High Wind, West Central Plateau
- When
- June 27, 12:49 PM MST to 4:28 PM MST
- Where
- West Central Plateau forecast zone
- Measured
- 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- ASOS
- Coordinates
- 34.803, -108.222 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The Gallup Airport ASOS measured repeated wind gusts between 58 and 64 mph at sporadic times each hour.
High Wind, West Central Plateau
- When
- June 28, 1:15 PM MST to 1:53 PM 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)
The Gallup Airport ASOS measured repeated wind gusts between 58 and 62 mph.
High Wind, Central Highlands
- When
- June 29, 9:44 AM MST to 9:45 AM MST
- Where
- Central Highlands forecast zone
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- ASOS
- Coordinates
- 35.209, -105.548 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The Clines Corners ASOS measured a stray high wind gust of 60 mph.
- 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.
- Heat in Arizona, June 27 to 30, 20265 deaths · 3 events
- Tornado and Hail in North Dakota, June 27, 2026$65,000 · EF1 · 33 events
- Damaging Winds in North Carolina, June 27, 2026$95,000 · 50 kt wind · 22 events
- Flash Flooding and Flood in Indiana, June 27, 2026$210,000 · 4 events
- Damaging Winds in North Carolina, June 27, 20261 injured · $35,000 · 55 kt wind · 8 events
- Flash Flooding in West Virginia, June 27 to 28, 2026$40,000 · 6 events
- Hail and Damaging Winds in South Dakota, June 27, 20262 in hail · 25 events
- Damaging Winds in South Dakota, June 27 to 28, 202678 kt wind · 18 events
- Marine Thunderstorm Winds in South Atlantic Coastal Waters, June 27, 202616 events
- Flash Flooding and Flood in Montana, June 27 to 28, 20261.75 in hail · 15 events
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Wyoming, June 27, 20261.75 in hail · 14 events
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Montana, June 27, 20262 in hail · 12 events
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: 1334981, 1334982, 1334983.