High Wind Warning Issued for Central and Northern New Mexico Mountains and Highlands

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a High Wind Warning for central, north central, northeast, and southeast New Mexico. The alert is effective from 11:00 AM MST Wednesday, February 18, until 5:00 AM MST Thursday, February 19.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad area along and just east of the central mountain chain, including:

• Glorieta Mesa and Glorieta Pass
• Northern, Southern, and East Slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
• Central Highlands and South Central Mountains
• Johnson and Bartlett Mesas, including Raton Pass
• Far Northeast and Northeast Highlands
• Guadalupe County
• Eastern Lincoln County
• Southwest Chaves County

What You Should Do

Residents are advised to take immediate action to secure loose or lightweight outdoor objects, such as trash cans and lawn furniture, which could be blown away by damaging winds. Motorists, particularly those operating high-profile vehicles, should prepare for dangerous driving conditions and exercise extreme caution on the roads.

Expected Conditions

Sustained west winds are forecast between 30 and 40 mph, with damaging gusts reaching up to 60 mph. In addition to the wind, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are expected to receive a few inches of snow this afternoon. The combination of wind and snow will create periods of blowing snow, reducing visibility to below a half mile at times. Snow drifts are expected to reach over 6 inches in some locations.

Timeline

The High Wind Warning begins at 11:00 AM MST on Wednesday and is scheduled to remain in effect until 5:00 AM MST on Thursday. Impacts including potential power outages and downed trees are most likely during this window.