A mid level jet streak cut across the state as an upper level trough lifted northeast. Wind speeds near and just above ridgetop level between 50 knots and 65 knots combined with excellent mixing and a deepening surface trough over southeast Colorado, resulted in very strong winds across all of northern and central New Mexico. The strongest winds occurred across the high terrain of the south central and southwest mountains. Fortunately,  no damage was reported.  However, sand from White Sands National Monument blew into the upper Tularosa Valley, the south central mountains and as far east as the Texas border.  Near zero visibilities were reported between Clovis and Portales,  as well as south of Roswell on Highway 285.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 05:55:00 to 28-FEB-12 10:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Sierra Blanca Regional Airport near Ruidoso measured gusts over 58 mph for over 4 hours.  The peak wind gust of 74 mph occurred at 735 am MST.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 05:15:00 to 28-FEB-12 11:55:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 48.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Sierra Blanca Regional Airport near Ruidoso measured sustained winds over 40 mph for over 5 hours.  The highest sustained wind speeds occurred around 730 am MST.

High Wind in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 07:00:00 to 28-FEB-12 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Taos Ski Valley recorded a peak wind gust of 66 mph at mountain top, however strong winds occurred much of the morning.

High Wind in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 14:45:00 to 28-FEB-12 14:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters estimated wind gusts of 60 mph near Glorieta.

High Wind in EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 15:00:00 to 28-FEB-12 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters estimated wind gusts of 60 mph in Bell Ranch.

High Wind in RATON RIDGE/JOHNSON MESA, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 15:00:00 to 28-FEB-12 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters estimated wind gusts of 70 mph near Capulin.

High Wind in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 15:00:00 to 28-FEB-12 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters at the Mineral Hill Fire Department measured a wind gust of 64 mph.

High Wind in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 15:53:00 to 28-FEB-12 15:53:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Clovis ASOS measured a 58 mph wind gust.

High Wind in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 15:03:00 to 28-FEB-12 15:03:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Clayton ASOS measured a 60 mph wind gust.

High Wind in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 15:42:00 to 28-FEB-12 16:11:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Tucumcari ASOS measured severe wind gusts for nearly 30 minutes.

High Wind in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 14:53:00 to 28-FEB-12 15:53:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 39.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Tucumcari ASOS measured sustained winds over 40 mph for at least an hour.

High Wind in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 08:52:00 to 28-FEB-12 11:59:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Las Vegas ASOS recorded occasional wind gusts over 58 mph for nearly 3 hours. The peak wind gust of 64 mph occurred at 1159 am MST.

High Wind in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 08:53:00 to 28-FEB-12 11:53:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 41.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Las Vegas ASOS recorded sustained winds over 40 mph for 3 hours. The highest sustained winds occurred around 9 am MST.

High Wind in UPPER TULAROSA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 08:30:00 to 28-FEB-12 10:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The White Sands Mesonet Site at Phillips Hill reported peak wind gusts of 58 and 59 mph between 830 and 1015 am MST.

High Wind in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 09:51:00 to 28-FEB-12 10:51:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 36.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Sustained winds over 40 mph persisted for at least an hour at the Roswell ASOS.

High Wind in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 10:00:00 to 28-FEB-12 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Gusts estimated near 60 mph occurred at Sandia Peak.

High Wind in SOUTHWEST CHAVES COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 11:09:00 to 28-FEB-12 11:09:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

The Dunken RAWS measured a 60 mph wind gust.

High Wind in ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 10:45:00 to 28-FEB-12 12:25:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The West Texas Mesonet site near Dora recorded wind gusts up to 62 mph.

High Wind in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 13:44:00 to 28-FEB-12 15:10:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Raton ASOS recorded peak wind gusts over 58 mph for over an hour.  The peak wind gust was 63 mph which occurred at the onset of the stronger wind gusts.

High Wind in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 22:38:00 to 29-FEB-12 00:59:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Later that night, winds picked up at the Raton ASOS once again, though this time due to mountain wave activity. Severe gusts lasted for over 2 hours.

High Wind in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 22:53:00 to 29-FEB-12 02:53:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 39.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Later that night, winds picked up at the Raton ASOS once again, though this time due to mountain wave activity. Sustained winds over 40 mph persisted for 4 hours.

High Wind in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 12:00:00 to 28-FEB-12 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winds were estimated to be near 60 mph near Lamy.

High Wind in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 12:00:00 to 28-FEB-12 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory recorded wind gusts up to at least 74 mph for several hours.

High Wind in DE BACA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 12:52:00 to 28-FEB-12 13:23:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

The APRSWXNET site near Sumner Lake recorded wind gusts of 58 mph for approximately 30 minutes.

High Wind in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 13:25:00 to 28-FEB-12 14:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts near 60 mph were estimated near Cuervo, while a 59 mph was measured in Santa Rosa.

High Wind in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 14:54:00 to 28-FEB-12 15:55:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 38.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Sustained winds over 40 mph were reported across Curry County.

High Wind in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 13:47:00 to 28-FEB-12 14:55:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Severe wind gusts were recorded at Clines Corners for over an hour.  The peak wind gust of 67 mph occurred at 2 pm MST.

High Wind in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 12:53:00 to 28-FEB-12 14:53:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 42.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Sustained winds over 40 mph were recorded at Clines Corners for at least 2 hours. The highest sustained speed was 48 mph.

High Wind in HARDING COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-12 14:00:00 to 28-FEB-12 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters estimated wind gusts of 60 mph near Bueyeros.