A slow-moving, strong low pressure system slowly approached New Mexico on the 18th. Strong winds aloft and a tight surface gradient along with an unstable atmosphere produced widespread high winds. Numerous reports of damage were received in the Albuquerque Metro area. Snow also fell across the northern half of New Mexico, heaviest in the northern mountains.

High Wind in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 14:15:00 to 18-MAR-12 15:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Angel Fire Airport also reported sustained winds of 44 mph from 215pm to 315pm MST.

High Wind in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 14:18:00 to 18-MAR-12 20:05:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A peak wind gust of 67 mph was reported 15 miles south-southeast of Bard in Quay County. The Tucumcari Airport recorded a peak wind gust of 58 mph at 319pm MST and sustained winds of 44mph from 719pm to 819pm MST.

High Wind in DE BACA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 14:20:00 to 18-MAR-12 14:20:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility near Fort Sumner recorded a peak wind gust of 66 mph.

High Wind in HARDING COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 14:30:00 to 18-MAR-12 14:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported a wind gust estimated at 60 mph two miles south of Roy.

High Wind in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 14:30:00 to 18-MAR-12 14:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Law enforcment reported a wind gust estimated at 80 mph in Vaughn.

High Wind in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 15:00:00 to 18-MAR-12 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 58.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory reported a wind gust of 67 mph at 300pm MST.

High Wind in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 19:09:00 to 18-MAR-12 19:09:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Heavy Snow in SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 19-MAR-12 00:00:00 to 20-MAR-12 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Up to nine inches of snow fell across the San Juan Mountains.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 19-MAR-12 00:00:00 to 20-MAR-12 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Up to a foot of snow fell across the west slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 19-MAR-12 00:00:00 to 20-MAR-12 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Seven to 14 inches of snow fell across the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains above 9500 feet.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 19-MAR-12 00:00:00 to 20-MAR-12 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Six to 14 inches of snow fell across the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains above 9500 feet.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 19-MAR-12 00:00:00 to 20-MAR-12 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Two to nine inches of snow fell across the east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

High Wind in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 18-MAR-12 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A wind gust of 58 mph was reported at the top of Taos Ski Valley.

High Wind in SOUTHWEST CHAVES COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 10:09:00 to 18-MAR-12 11:09:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 35.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Dunken RAWS had a sustained wind speed of 40 mph for one hour.

High Wind in NORTHWEST PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 11:53:00 to 18-MAR-12 11:53:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 11:55:00 to 18-MAR-12 17:55:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Sierra Blanca Airport also reported a sustained wind of 48 mph from 455pm to 555pm MST.

High Wind in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 12:44:00 to 18-MAR-12 13:53:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Las Vegas Airport also recorded a sustained wind of 48 mph from 1253pm to 153pm MST.

High Wind in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 09:50:00 to 18-MAR-12 09:50:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A peak wind gust of 60 mph was reported one mile east of Alma.

High Wind in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 10:55:00 to 18-MAR-12 15:33:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.50K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A wind gust of 71 mph was recorded 2 miles southeast of Stanley, 65 and 66 mph around Edgewood and 63 mph 3 miles northeast of La Cienega. Wind damage was reported in Santa Fe.

High Wind in ESTANCIA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 12:50:00 to 18-MAR-12 13:50:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The wind was also sustained at 48 mph from 1253pm to 153pm. MST.

High Wind in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 12:55:00 to 18-MAR-12 14:21:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Los Alamos Airport also reported a sustained wind of 49 mph from 1255pm to 155pm MST. The Tower RAWS site recorded a wind gust of 58 mph at 221pm MST.

High Wind in UPPER TULAROSA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 13:39:00 to 18-MAR-12 14:39:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

The wind at the Chupadera RAWS was also sustained at 41mph from 139pm to 239pm MST.

High Wind in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 13:49:00 to 18-MAR-12 16:49:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 67.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Ute Mountain RAWS had a peak wind gust to 67 mph at 449pm MST, with sustained winds of 41 mph from 149pm to 249pm MST.

High Wind in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 14:58:00 to 18-MAR-12 18:10:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Clines Corners ASOS also reported sustained winds of 47 mph from 510pm to 610pm MST.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 14:00:00 to 18-MAR-12 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

High Wind in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 10:30:00 to 18-MAR-12 15:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 2.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Widespread high winds produced numerous reports of wind damage across Albuquerque. Numerous trees, several light poles and power lines were reported down, as well as a large billboard. A trampoline was blown over an eight foot wall. Power was lost to roughly 33,000 residents. Sustained winds at the Albuquerque Sunport reached 48 mph. The peak wind gust at Double Eagle Airport hit 58 mph while sustained speeds were as high as 46 mph. The highest wind gust in Albuquerque was 72 mph on the far east side of town. In Belen, the peak wind gust at Belen Airport was 59 mph while sustained winds reached 45 mph.

High Wind in RATON RIDGE/JOHNSON MESA, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 15:00:00 to 18-MAR-12 16:26:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Raton Crews Airport recorded a peak wind gust of 67 mph at 246pm MST. It also recorded sustained winds of 54 mph from 346pm to 446pm MST.

High Wind in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 18-MAR-12 18:00:00 to 18-MAR-12 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported a wind gust estimated at 60 mph in Picacho.