A strong cold front moving south and west across New Mexico will usher in a significant east wind event along with the coldest air of the season so far, forecasters said. High pressure building east of the Rockies and an upper level storm over the Desert Southwest are creating a powerful pressure difference across the state.
Winds increased first across northeastern New Mexico and will spread south and west through the evening, according to the forecast. Forecasters said the strongest early impacts will be felt near Raton, Clayton, Las Vegas, Santa Rosa, Tucumcari, Clovis and Portales.
A High Wind Warning remains in effect for areas facing the greatest threat, and a freeze warning covers parts of the high country, as forecasters noted. The freeze warning specifically includes Raton, Las Vegas and Moriarty, and other colder high elevation communities may approach or drop below freezing.
Impacts And Precautions
Strong easterly flow will push through canyons and mountain gaps, producing damaging gusts immediately west of the central mountains and along canyon corridors, the forecast said. That pattern will favor the eastern foothills of Albuquerque, Tijeras Canyon and places closer to the mountains while gusty conditions may spread farther into the Rio Grande Valley.
The winds are not expected to be brief, and forecasters warned they will continue for many hours overnight as temperatures fall rapidly behind the front. Drivers should expect difficult conditions, especially high profile vehicles, and people in colder communities should protect sensitive outdoor plants and secure loose outdoor objects.
Additional impacts include strong to potentially damaging gusts in the south central highlands and the upper Tularosa Valley, according to the report. Residents were urged to monitor local forecasts and advisories and to prepare for sharply colder temperatures and prolonged gusty winds.
