A record breaking heatwave during the first week of September took a dramatic turn toward winter as a powerful storm system moved south through the Rocky Mountains on September 8, 2020. A powerful cold front shifted south and west through eastern New Mexico and plowed through gaps in the central mountain chain into the Rio Grande Valley on the morning of September 9, 2020. Canyon winds peaked during the late afternoon and evening hours when gusts of 70 to 80 mph were reported. These powerful winds affected the east side of the Albuquerque metro area for several hours before slowly tapering off through September 10, 2020. Dozens of trees, power lines, power poles, fences, and walls were blown down. Roof damage was also reported across the city. At least 15,000 customers were without power, and as many as a 1,000 customers had no power for three days after the event. Record breaking early snowfall also impacted the high terrain with this event. Many locations in the northern mountains reported two to six inches of snow while one to two inches fell at lower elevations of northern New Mexico. Fire and rescue personnel evacuated the Rio Chama RV Park as the combination of heavy snow and strong winds downed several large tree limbs onto at least two recreational vehicles. Several locations also set daily record low minimum and record low maximum temperatures on both September 9th and September 10th.

High Wind in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS INCLUDING EDGEWOOD, NEW MEXICO
From 08-SEP-20 14:00:00 to 08-SEP-20 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 77.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A peak wind gust up to 89 mph was measured at the top of the Sandia Peak Tramway. The tram was closed for the day due to high winds.

Winter Storm in TUSAS MOUNTAINS INCLUDING CHAMA, NEW MEXICO
From 08-SEP-20 23:00:00 to 10-SEP-20 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Local media reported that fire and rescue teams evacuated around 50 campers at the Rio Chama RV park around 100 am due to falling tree branches. The weight of heavy snow on fully leafed out trees along with strong winds toppled dozens of large branches. At least one recreational vehicle was destroyed and another one was damaged. Minor injuries were reported however the extent of the injuries was not known. Damage amounts are estimated for total loss of two small RVs.

Winter Storm in JOHNSON AND BARTLETT MESAS INCLUDING RATON PASS, NEW MEXICO
From 08-SEP-20 18:00:00 to 10-SEP-20 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The combination of heavy snow, high winds, and low visibility resulted in severe travel conditions along U.S. Highway 64 between mile markers 349 and 386 east of Raton. Snowfall amounts averaged one to three inches around Capulin.

High Wind in MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY/ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 08-SEP-20 13:32:00 to 08-SEP-20 17:34:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Albuquerque Sunport measured damaging wind gusts between 58 mph and 71 mph for several hours as gap winds plowed through Tijeras Canyon. Dozens of large trees were toppled across the city, including; one tree along Girard just south of Gibson, one tree along Sunport Loop near the Sheraton hotel, at least one tree on the University of New Mexico campus, and other large trees at Roosevelt Park and Hyder Park. A large pine tree at Jefferson Middle School fell over power lines along Girard Blvd. Another large pine tree fell over power lines into Girard near Campus Blvd. Roofing was damaged at the city courthouse in downtown Albuquerque and another roof was damaged at a hotel near the Sunport. Thousands of PNM customers were without power for one to two days and some others were without power for three to four days. Damage amounts are a rough estimate for damage to power infrastructure, roofs, and fences.

High Wind in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 08-SEP-20 13:40:00 to 08-SEP-20 17:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 37.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Clovis airport reported sustained winds between 40 mph and 43 mph periodically for several hours.

High Wind in MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY/ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 08-SEP-20 13:41:00 to 08-SEP-20 17:49:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 44.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Albuquerque Sunport measured sustained winds between 40 mph and 51 mph for several hours as gap winds plowed through Tijeras Canyon.

High Wind in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 08-SEP-20 13:40:00 to 08-SEP-20 16:20:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Two observers near the Taos airport reported wind gusts between 63 mph and 71 mph as powerful gap winds surged into the Upper Rio Grande Valley. Minor damage was reported to a portal at one residence.

High Wind in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 08-SEP-20 13:00:00 to 08-SEP-20 16:07:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 41.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Santa Fe airport reported sustained winds between 40 mph and 47 mph for several hours as gap winds pushed through the area.

High Wind in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 08-SEP-20 14:49:00 to 08-SEP-20 14:54:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Santa Fe airport reported a peak wind gust to 59 mph as gap winds pushed through the area.

Dust Storm in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 08-SEP-20 12:00:00 to 08-SEP-20 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

U.S. Highway 285 was closed between Roswell and Artesia due to blowing dust with poor visibility. One vehicle accident was reported with unknown injuries.

High Wind in MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY/ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 08-SEP-20 13:00:00 to 08-SEP-20 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 69.00 MG
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A weather station below Embudo Canyon reported wind gusts as high as 79 mph for several hours as gap winds plowed through Tijeras Canyon. Dozens of large trees were toppled across the city, including; one tree near Lomas and Eubank, one at City View park near Copper and Tramway, one tree near Central and Wyoming, and another tree along Central east of Tramway. Roof damage was reported to one home near I-40 and Eubank. A concrete wall and fence were toppled near I-40 and Louisiana. Thousands of PNM customers were without power for one to two days and some others were without power for three to four days. Damage amounts are a rough estimate for damage to power infrastructure, roofs, and fences.