High Wind Warning Issued for Central and Northern New Mexico; Gusts Up to 70 MPH Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque (NWS Albuquerque NM) has issued a High Wind Warning (HWW) for multiple regions across New Mexico. This alert is classified as severe, indicating a likely threat of damaging wind conditions that could impact infrastructure and safety.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad geographic scope including:

• Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains
• East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains
• Central Highlands
• South Central Mountains
• Northeast Highlands
• Guadalupe County
• Eastern Lincoln County

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area are advised to prepare for hazardous conditions:

• Driving Safety: Winds this strong make driving difficult, particularly for high-profile vehicles. Use extra caution if travel is necessary.
• Power Preparedness: Widespread power outages are expected. Ensure devices are charged and secure loose outdoor items.
• Visibility Awareness: Be alert for areas of blowing dust, which may reduce visibility to below one mile in dust-prone locations.

Expected Conditions

Forecasters expect sustained northwest winds of 35 to 45 mph. Peak wind gusts are anticipated to reach approximately 70 mph. According to the NWS, these damaging winds are capable of blowing down trees and power lines.

Timeline

The High Wind Warning is scheduled to go into effect at 3:00 AM MDT on Sunday, March 15. The warning is currently set to expire at 4:00 PM MDT on Sunday afternoon.