An upper level low pressure system approaching from the Great Basin combined with deepening surface low pressure over eastern New Mexico on the 18th. Strong southwest winds spread over the entire area by late in the afternoon and continue over much of the region through the 19th. Powerful wind gusts were reported in many areas with speeds topping out between 60 mph and 80 mph for an extended period of time around the higher terrain. Snow also developed with this system as moisture arrived beneath the upper level low pressure system. Snow showers first developed over the northern and western high terrain by late in the day on the 18th then gradually increased in coverage and intensity while moving slowly eastward toward the central mountain chain through the 19th. The heaviest snowfall impacted the area along the Continental Divide where roughly 2 to 6 inches was reported from near Quemado to Cuba. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains also picked up another 4 to 10 inches along with blowing snow. This system brought the second latest measurable snowfall to the Albuquerque Sunport with three tenths of an inch on February 20th.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 19-FEB-18 09:00:00 to 20-FEB-18 01:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 42.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The Corona Public Library weather station reported sustained winds periodically between 40 mph and 48 mph for several consecutive hours.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 19-FEB-18 11:30:00 to 19-FEB-18 12:35:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The Corona Public Library weather station reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 63 mph.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 19-FEB-18 10:45:00 to 20-FEB-18 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 66.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Sierra Blanca Regional Airport reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 76 mph for several consecutive hours. Peak wind gusts occurred around 8 am on the 20th.

High Wind in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 19-FEB-18 12:25:00 to 19-FEB-18 12:35:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Transwestern Pump station for Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility reported a brief peak wind gust up to 60 mph.

High Wind in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 18-FEB-18 20:00:00 to 19-FEB-18 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 73.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Kachina Peak and Highline Ridge at Taos Ski Valley reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 84 mph for several consecutive hours. High winds were accompanied by snow and blowing snow.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 19-FEB-18 11:15:00 to 20-FEB-18 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 49.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Sierra Blanca Regional Airport reported sustained winds between 40 mph and 56 mph for several consecutive hours. Peak sustained winds occurred around 8 pm on the 19th.

High Wind in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 19-FEB-18 12:15:00 to 19-FEB-18 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 39.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Transwestern Pump station for Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility reported sustained winds between 40 mph and 45 mph.

High Wind in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 18-FEB-18 18:00:00 to 19-FEB-18 23:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Clines Corners reported peak wind gusts periodically between 58 mph and 71 mph for several consecutive hours. NMDOT reported a semi truck rolled over on Interstate 40.

High Wind in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 19-FEB-18 17:00:00 to 19-FEB-18 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 40.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Clines Corners reported peak sustained winds periodically between 40 mph and 46 mph.

High Wind in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 19-FEB-18 16:50:00 to 19-FEB-18 17:05:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Raton Crews Airport reported a peak wind gust up to 58 mph.

High Wind in NORTHWEST PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 19-FEB-18 13:30:00 to 19-FEB-18 15:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The San Juan Substation air quality mesonet site reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 62 mph. High winds were enhanced by passing virga showers.

High Wind in NORTHWEST PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 19-FEB-18 14:15:00 to 19-FEB-18 14:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Peak wind gusts up to 65 mph were estimated by a spotter beneath a virga shower near Farmington.

High Wind in WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 19-FEB-18 15:51:00 to 19-FEB-18 15:54:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Gallup Airport reported a peak wind gust up to 59 mph.

High Wind in WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 19-FEB-18 15:10:00 to 19-FEB-18 16:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 37.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Gallup Airport reported sustained winds between 40 mph and 43 mph.

High Wind in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 19-FEB-18 16:25:00 to 19-FEB-18 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A ranch five miles southeast of Placitas reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 60 mph.

Winter Storm in FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 19-FEB-18 06:00:00 to 20-FEB-18 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The combination of snowfall amounts between 1 and 3 inches with wind and cold temperatures created severe travel conditions along U.S. Highway 64 near Dulce and along NM-537 south of U.S. Highway 64.

High Wind in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 19-FEB-18 14:45:00 to 19-FEB-18 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 40.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Raton Crews Airport reported sustained winds up to 40 mph.