An upper level low pressure system moving south from Colorado intensified quickly over New Mexico on the evening of December 12th. A potent cold front in association with the upper level storm system moved rapidly southeast through central and western New Mexico shortly after sunset. Rain and snow showers along the cold front enhanced stronger wind gusts and many locations reported peak gusts between 45 and 55 mph. The back door portion of the cold front then surged south through eastern New Mexico during the early morning hours of the 13th and produced widespread wind gusts between 60 and 70 mph. Damage was reported in a couple areas of Quay and Curry counties. Light snowfall also occurred with this system as it intensified along the east slopes of the central mountain chain. Snowfall amounts ranged from two to six inches along the central high terrain and high plains of eastern New Mexico. Snow, blowing snow, reduced visibility, and icy travel conditions were reported during the morning commute. Interstate 25 at Raton Pass and U.S. 64 between Raton and Clayton were closed due to extremely icy travel with strong winds. Interstate 40 was also closed at Sedillo Hill for a brief period early in the morning due to a jack-knifed trailer and very slick travel.

High Wind in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 12-DEC-18 19:00:00 to 12-DEC-18 19:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Double Eagle Airport reported a peak wind gust to 58 mph.

High Wind in UPPER TULAROSA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 12-DEC-18 22:38:00 to 12-DEC-18 22:43:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Phillips Hill site at White Sands Missile Range reported a peak wind gust up to 60 mph.

High Wind in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 12-DEC-18 23:30:00 to 13-DEC-18 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Clayton airport reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 63 mph for several hours.

High Wind in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 13-DEC-18 00:45:00 to 13-DEC-18 06:58:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Raton airport reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 69 mph for several hours.

High Wind in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 13-DEC-18 01:00:00 to 13-DEC-18 07:18:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 43.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Raton airport reported sustained wind speeds between 40 mph and 50 mph for several hours.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 13-DEC-18 01:45:00 to 13-DEC-18 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Sierra Blanca airport reported peak wind gusts up to 58 mph.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 13-DEC-18 02:28:00 to 13-DEC-18 02:58:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Shist site at White Sands Missile Range reported peak wind gusts between 58 mph and 62 mph.

High Wind in DE BACA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 13-DEC-18 02:00:00 to 13-DEC-18 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Fort Sumner reported peak wind gusts up to 73 mph.

High Wind in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 13-DEC-18 02:45:00 to 13-DEC-18 14:22:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 44.00 MS
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Clovis airport reported sustained winds between 40 mph and 51 mph for several hours. Two large 50-year old trees were toppled onto a fence at a residence in Clovis. Damages are a rough estimate.

High Wind in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 13-DEC-18 05:15:00 to 13-DEC-18 10:08:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Cannon Air Force Base and the Clovis airport reported peak wind gusts around 60 mph for several hours.

High Wind in WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 13-DEC-18 05:00:00 to 13-DEC-18 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A peak wind gust up to 58 mph along with a trace of snow was reported near San Fidel.

Winter Weather in RATON RIDGE/JOHNSON MESA, NEW MEXICO
From 13-DEC-18 01:00:00 to 13-DEC-18 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The combination of high winds and snowfall amounts near one inch created low visibility and extremely slick travel along Interstate 25 between Raton Pass and Raton. The interstate was closed for several hours until conditions improved.

Winter Weather in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 13-DEC-18 02:00:00 to 13-DEC-18 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The combination of high winds and snowfall amounts near one inch created low visibility and extremely slick travel along U.S. Highway 64 between Des Moines and Clayton. The highway was closed for several hours until conditions improved.

Winter Weather in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 13-DEC-18 05:00:00 to 13-DEC-18 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Light snowfall amounts of less than one inch with very cold temperatures resulted in extremely slick travel along Interstate 40 within Tijeras Canyon. A jack-knifed trailer resulted in the closure of the interstate for a short duration. Numerous minor accidents were also reported in the area during the morning commute.

Winter Weather in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 13-DEC-18 05:00:00 to 13-DEC-18 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Light snowfall amounts of one to two inches with very cold temperatures resulted in extremely slick travel in the Santa Fe area. Numerous minor accidents were reported during the morning commute.

High Wind in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 13-DEC-18 02:00:00 to 13-DEC-18 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 4.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A sports score board at a school in Logan was blown down in high winds. Damages are a rough estimate. Strong wind gusts near 60 mph were also reported around Endee.