A fierce jet stream within the base of an upper level trough ejected quickly east across the southwest U.S. at the end of February. A deep tap of moisture surging northeast ahead of this system from the eastern Pacific interacted with a cold front arriving from the Great Basin to produce heavy mountain snow across northern and western New Mexico. West and southwest facing slopes along the Continental Divide and much of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains reported between one and two feet of snow. The 17 inches of snowfall at Chama and the 15 inches at Dulce set new daily records for the 28th. Meanwhile, the combination of powerful winds aloft and a strong surface pressure gradient over eastern New Mexico produced widespread strong to damaging winds. Many locations across the eastern plains reported peak winds between 65 and 75 mph. A semi-trailer was blown over and damaged along U.S. Highway 285 south of Vaughn and power outages were reported around Lincoln County. The most significant blowing dust event of the season so far was reported across much of southeastern New Mexico. The visibility was reduced to two miles around Portales.

High Wind in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Clines Corners reported peak wind gusts up to 64 mph with sustained winds as high as 50 mph for several hours.

High Wind in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 08:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility Transwestern Pump Station reported peak wind gusts up to 68 mph with sustained winds up to 53 mph for several hours.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 06:30:00 to 28-FEB-17 14:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 68.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Sierra Blanca Regional Airport reported peak wind gusts as high as 78 mph for several hours. An observer near Nogal reported peak wind gusts up to 61 mph. Power outages were reported across much of the area around Ruidoso.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 06:30:00 to 28-FEB-17 14:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Sierra Blanca Regional Airport reported sustained winds as high as 63 mph for several hours.

High Wind in ESTANCIA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 08:30:00 to 28-FEB-17 12:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Moriarty Airport reported peak wind gusts up to 58 mph with sustained winds as high as 48 mph for several hours.

High Wind in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 08:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 45.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Observer at Fence Lake reported sustained winds as high as 52 mph for a couple hours. The Magdalenda Ridge Observatory reported a peak wind gust up to 84 mph around 10,000 feet during this period.

High Wind in LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 09:45:00 to 28-FEB-17 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Numerous White Sands Missile Range sites reported peak wind gusts between 58 and 63 mph for a few hours. High sustained winds as high as 44 mph were also reported around Socorro.

High Wind in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 10:30:00 to 28-FEB-17 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A public weather station north of Tecolotito reported a peak wind gust to 68 mph. The Las Vegas Municipal Airport reported sustained winds as high as 45 mph during this period.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 10:15:00 to 28-FEB-17 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

The Chupadera RAWS reported a peak wind gust up to 59 mph.

High Wind in UPPER TULAROSA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 10:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A public weather station along U.S. Highway 54 north of Carrizozo reported a peak wind gust up to 60 mph.

High Wind in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 10:30:00 to 28-FEB-17 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 38.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Albuquerque International Airport reported high sustained winds up to 44 mph for a couple hours. Double Eagle Airport also reported high sustained winds of 40 mph.

High Wind in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 10:30:00 to 28-FEB-17 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Albuquerque International Airport reported a peak wind gust up to 58 mph. The helipad on top of UNMH reported a peak wind gust up to 63 mph.

High Wind in DE BACA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 11:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 13:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility at Fort Sumner reported a peak wind gust up to 70 mph. Sumner Lake reported peak wind gusts up to 58 mph.

High Wind in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 11:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The Buck Springs weather station near Mesa reported a peak wind gust up to 72 mph with sustained winds as high as 51 mph. The Bitterlakes Wildlife Refuge RAWS station reported a peak wind gust up to 64 mph. The Roswell Industrial Airpark reported a peak wind gust up to 58 mph. A semi-trailer was overturned and damaged in powerful crosswinds along U.S. Highway 285 north of Roswell.

High Wind in ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 11:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Dora mesonet site reported a peak wind gust up to 72 mph. The Melrose Bombing Range reported a peak wind gust to 67 mph. An observer in Portales reported a peak wind gust to 61 mph. Blowing dust reduced the visibility to as low as 2 miles.

High Wind in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 11:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 13:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A public weather station near Sedan reported peak wind gusts up to 63 mph with sustained winds as high as 49 mph. The Clayton Municipal Airport reported a peak wind gust up to 58 mph.

High Wind in SOUTHWEST CHAVES COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 11:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

The Dunken RAWS reported a peak wind gust up to 66 mph with sustained winds as high as 43 mph.

High Wind in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 11:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Belen Airport reported a peak wind gust up to 61 mph.

High Wind in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 11:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 13:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Tucumcari Municipal Airport reported a peak wind gust up to 68 mph with sustained winds as high as 52 mph. House reported a peak wind gust up to 61 mph with sustained winds as high as 47 mph.

High Wind in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 11:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Union Pacific Railroad mesonet site near Vaughn reported a peak wind gust up to 59 mph with sustained winds as high as 50 mph.

High Wind in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 12:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Clovis Airport and Cannon AFB weather stations reported peak wind gusts between 60 and 67 mph with sustained winds up to 54 mph for several hours. A portion of the roof of a Sonic drive-in was torn off in Clovis with no injuries. Numerous trees and power lines were also blown down across the Clovis area.

High Wind in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 10:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The top of the Sandia Peak Tram reported a peak wind gust up to 70 mph. Observers around Cedar Crest reported sustained winds as high as 42 mph.

High Wind in RATON RIDGE/JOHNSON MESA, NEW MEXICO
From 28-FEB-17 12:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Des Moines reported a peak wind gust up to 62 mph with sustained winds as high as 45 mph.

Heavy Snow in FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-FEB-17 22:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Up to 15 inches of snow fell around Dulce with up to 2 feet on nearby higher peaks. This snowfall set a new daily record for the 28th. Lighter amounts around 2 inches were reported near Navajo Dam.

Heavy Snow in SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-FEB-17 22:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts across the high terrain of eastern Rio Arriba County ranged from 12 to 20 inches. The 17 inches reported at Chama on the morning of the 28th set a new daily record.

Heavy Snow in CHUSKA MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-FEB-17 20:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts as high as 16 inches were reported by the Navajo Whiskey SNOTEL and the nearby COOP observer.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-FEB-17 22:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snowfall amounts along the west facing slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains ranged from 6 to 12 inches. The highest amounts were reported in the area around Shady Brook.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 27-FEB-17 22:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts over the high terrain of Taos County ranged from 12 to 24 inches. Strong winds accompanied the heavy snowfall over the Taos Ski Valley where gusts up to 69 mph were reported.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 27-FEB-17 23:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts across the southern high peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains east of Santa Fe ranged from 8 to 11 inches.

Heavy Snow in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 27-FEB-17 19:00:00 to 28-FEB-17 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts ranged from 10 to 15 inches around Angel Fire and Eagle Nest. Wind gusts up to 50 mph were reported with this snowfall.