High Wind Warning Issued for Central Highlands and Guadalupe County, NM

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque NM has issued a High Wind Warning for the Central Highlands and Guadalupe County. This alert follows a wind advisory that was scheduled to expire earlier in the week, signaling an escalation in expected wind intensity.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically impacts the following geographic regions in New Mexico:

• Central Highlands
• Guadalupe County

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area are urged to take immediate action to secure loose or lightweight outdoor objects, including trash cans and lawn furniture. Extremely hazardous driving conditions are expected. Motorists operating high-profile vehicles should consider delaying travel until conditions improve.

Expected Conditions

Forecasters expect sustained west winds between 35 and 45 mph, with gusts reaching up to 60 mph. These damaging winds have the potential to blow down trees and power lines, and power outages are possible. Additionally, difficult to dangerous crosswinds are anticipated on north-to-south oriented roadways, such as US-285.

Timeline

The High Wind Warning is effective from 9:00 AM MST to 5:00 PM MST on Friday, February 20, 2026.