A low pressure system developing off the California coastline on the 22nd shifted quickly east into New Mexico on the 23rd and forced strong west to southwest winds across much of the state. This system intensified rapidly as it crossed the southern Rockies through the 24th. Strong north to northwest winds then impacted eastern New Mexico as the storm shifted into Texas and Oklahoma. Peak wind gusts averaged 60 to 70 mph. A couple thunderstorms near the Texas border with southeast New Mexico produced outflow winds near 70 mph with blowing dust and small hail. The most impressive aspect of the storm was the deep conveyor belt of moisture that wrapped around the upper low and slammed the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Raton Ridge with blizzard conditions. Snowfall rates up to two inches per hour occurred for around 10 hours along with wind gusts near 60 mph. This produced blizzard conditions for several hours and resulted in the closure of Interstate 25 at Raton Pass and portions of state highways 4, 72, and 150.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROOSEVELT, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 14:47:00 to 23-MAR-17 14:57:00 (MST-7)
Location: DORA
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm outflow winds of 72 mph at Dora.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 22:00:00 to 24-MAR-17 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The Santa Fe Ski Basin and SNOTEL sites reported between 18 and 22 inches of snowfall with rates near two inches per hour. Strong winds were also reported across the high terrain.

Thunderstorm Wind in CURRY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 15:05:00 to 23-MAR-17 15:12:00 (MST-7)
Location: CLOVIS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A thunderstorm near Clovis produced heavy rainfall, pea size hail, blowing dust, and a peak wind gust up to 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in CURRY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 15:05:00 to 23-MAR-17 15:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: (CVS)CANNON AFB
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Thunderstorm outflow winds peaked at 67 mph at Cannon AFB.

High Wind in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 11:30:00 to 23-MAR-17 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Raton airport.

High Wind in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 12:00:00 to 24-MAR-17 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

An extended duration of high winds was reported from Clines Corners to Harvey Ranch and Duran. A peak wind gust to 70 mph was reported at Harvey Ranch and 59 mph at Clines Corners. Sustained winds as high as 55 mph were reported near Duran.

High Wind in SOUTHWEST CHAVES COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 12:15:00 to 23-MAR-17 14:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Dunken.

High Wind in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 13:00:00 to 24-MAR-17 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An extended period of powerful wind gusts as high as 74 mph impacted much of the Interstate 40 corridor from Montoya to Tucumcari. Sustained winds were as high as 51 mph. Fortunately no significant damage or power outages were reported.

High Wind in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 13:00:00 to 23-MAR-17 16:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 67.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Powerful wind gusts up to 77 mph were reported along the U.S. Highway 285 corridor from near Mesa to Roswell. Several stations reported wind gusts in the 65 to 75 mph range with sustained winds near 50 mph.

High Wind in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 13:00:00 to 23-MAR-17 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 38.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Sustained winds as high as 44 mph were reported for a few hours around Las Vegas. A peak wind gust to 62 mph was reported north of Tecolotito.

High Wind in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 14:00:00 to 24-MAR-17 16:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Clayton reported an extended period of wind gusts near 60 mph.

High Wind in ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 15:30:00 to 23-MAR-17 17:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 39.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong winds developed over Roosevelt County behind a departing line of showers and thunderstorms. Sustained winds as high as 45 mph were reported for a couple hours.

High Wind in LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 24-MAR-17 05:30:00 to 24-MAR-17 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Socorro airport.

High Wind in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 21:00:00 to 24-MAR-17 02:40:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The CSBF Transwestern Pump station reported peak wind gusts up to 62 mph with sustained winds up to 47 mph for several hours.

High Wind in HARDING COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 24-MAR-17 05:00:00 to 24-MAR-17 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Mills Canyon.

High Wind in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 12:28:00 to 23-MAR-17 12:32:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A brief virga shower that passed over the Albuquerque Sunport enhanced strong winds in the area with a peak gust to 67 mph. The area around Placitas also reported strong winds with gusts up to 63 mph.

Blizzard in RATON RIDGE/JOHNSON MESA, NEW MEXICO
From 24-MAR-17 00:00:00 to 24-MAR-17 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The higher terrain along the Colorado border from near Costilla to Raton Pass and Capulin experienced whiteout conditions with high winds and snowfall rates near two inches per hour. Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 12 inches. A peak wind gust up to 68 mph was reported with the snowfall around Des Moines. Drifts up to 3 feet were reported at Capulin. Interstate 25 was closed for several hours at Raton Pass due to blizzard conditions.

High Wind in ESTANCIA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 13:00:00 to 23-MAR-17 14:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 40.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Moriarty airport reported sustained winds as high as 46 mph while Stanley reported a peak wind gust up to 61 mph.

High Wind in DE BACA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 20:00:00 to 24-MAR-17 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The CSBF Fort Sumner location reported an extended period of peak wind gusts as high as 70 mph. Sumner Lake saw wind gusts as high as 61 mph.

High Wind in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 16:00:00 to 23-MAR-17 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 38.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong winds developed over Curry County behind a departing line of showers and thunderstorms. Sustained winds as high as 44 mph with gusts up to 60 mph were reported for a few hours.

High Wind in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 16:00:00 to 24-MAR-17 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Observations around Sandia Park reported peak wind gusts up to 66 mph for an extended period early on the 24th. The top of the Sandia Peak tramway reported a peak wind gust to 60 mph late on the 23rd. Light snowfall amounts accompanied the strong winds above 8,000 feet.

Blizzard in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 24-MAR-17 00:00:00 to 24-MAR-17 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Numerous reports of whiteout conditions with strong winds and snowfall rates near two inches per hour. Snowfall amounts ranged from 10 to 16 inches in the area from Black Lake to Angel Fire and Eagle Nest. Peak wind gusts up to 54 mph were reported at the Angel Fire airport. Power outages occurred for several hours through the morning of the 24th.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 22:00:00 to 24-MAR-17 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Numerous observations all along the west slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains reported between 10 and 22 inches of snowfall. The area around Questa picked up nearly 2 feet of snowfall in less than 12 hours.

Blizzard in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 24-MAR-17 00:00:00 to 24-MAR-17 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The high terrain of Taos County experienced whiteout conditions with high winds and snowfall rates near two inches per hour. Snowfall amounts ranged from 16 to 22 inches in the area from near Questa to Red River and the Taos Ski Valley. A peak wind gust to 63 mph was reported on Kachina Peak. Power outages occurred for several hours through the morning of the 24th.

Heavy Snow in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-17 22:00:00 to 24-MAR-17 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Numerous observers in the area from Taos to Questa reported 3 to 8 inches of snowfall with snowfall rates as high as two inches per hour. The 1-day total of 8 inches at Taos broke the old record of 5 inches from 1920.