A dynamic storm system developing off the coast of California finally moved inland and brought snow and high winds to portions of northern and central New Mexico on December 24, 2021. A strong upper-level jet oriented southwest to northeast accompanying this storm system resulted in windy to damaging wind conditions across a large portion of central and eastern New Mexico. Wind gusts in excess of 58 mph were common across the central high terrain and portions of the eastern plains. Despite these very strong winds, there were not many reports of damages except in Lincoln County where wind gusts up to 64 mph downed a few trees and damaged a roof at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds. This storm system also brought snow to portions of western and north central New Mexico on Christmas Eve. Snow totals were confined to the mountainous terrain where the Tusas and northern Sangre de Cristo mountains received snow totals generally ranging from 8 to 17 inches. The combination of snow and high winds resulted in difficult to severe driving conditions, particularly along U.S. Highway 64 where wind gusts were in excess of 70 mph. Key Impacts: damages, downed trees, difficult travel.

High Wind in SOUTHWEST CHAVES COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 24-DEC-21 12:36:00 to 24-DEC-21 13:36:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

A RAWS station near Dunken measured a peak wind gust of 61 mph.

Heavy Snow in TUSAS MOUNTAINS INCLUDING CHAMA, NEW MEXICO
From 23-DEC-21 17:00:00 to 25-DEC-21 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Heavy snow began to fall across the Tusas Mountains late on December 23rd and continued through early Christmas morning. Various SNOTELs across the area received an estimated 10 to 17 inches of new snow. Severe driving conditions were reported as a result along U.S. Highway 64.

Heavy Snow in CHUSKA MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 24-DEC-21 10:00:00 to 24-DEC-21 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Heavy snow fell across the Chuska Mountains through much of Christmas Eve. A SNOTEL site near Toadlena received an estimated 10 inches of new snow.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 23-DEC-21 23:30:00 to 24-DEC-21 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Heavy snow began to fall across the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains late on December 23rd and continued through much of Christmas Eve. The highest snow totals were measured just east of Arroyo Seco where a SNOTEL received an estimated 16 inches of new snow. High winds were also measured across the area as a weather station located on Kachina Peak at Taos Ski Valley measured a peak wind gust of 73 mph at 1630 MST. The combination of heavy snow and high winds resulted in severe driving conditions along U.S. Highway 64.

High Wind in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 24-DEC-21 07:00:00 to 24-DEC-21 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A mesonet station at Magdalena Ridge Observatory measured a peak wind gust of 68 mph.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 24-DEC-21 07:35:00 to 24-DEC-21 11:35:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

An AWOS station near Ruidoso measured a peak wind gust of 64 mph. The Lincoln County Emergency Manager reported that a few trees were downed and a metal roof was damaged at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds. Damages are a rough estimate.

High Wind in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 24-DEC-21 06:35:00 to 24-DEC-21 11:35:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 45.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

An AWOS station near Ruidoso measured a peak sustained wind speed of 52 mph.

High Wind in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 24-DEC-21 11:19:00 to 24-DEC-21 12:54:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 36.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A public weather station near Sedan measured a peak sustained wind speed of 42 mph.

High Wind in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 24-DEC-21 12:53:00 to 24-DEC-21 12:55:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An ASOS station near Tucumcari measured a peak wind gust of 60 mph.

High Wind in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 24-DEC-21 13:51:00 to 24-DEC-21 13:55:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An ASOS station near Roswell measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.