With several weeks of persistent high winds and very dry conditions across northern and central New Mexico, early May brought more of the same to the area which was suffering from devastating wildfires. A very active storm track continued to affect the western United States, but instead of precipitation, high winds were much more common for New Mexico. Beginning on May 8, 2022, a slow-moving storm system began to track southward along the west coast which steered a potent polar jet across New Mexico. Wind speeds first strengthened across the northern high terrain early on May 8th and then spread into lower elevations during the afternoon and evening hours. These high winds persisted through the overnight hours and during much of the day on May 9th before finally diminishing after sunset. Wind speeds of 40 to 55 mph were common across much of northern and central New Mexico. High winds in excess of 58 mph were common across much of the high terrain and mountainous areas. This was particularly devasting for the ongoing wildfires across northern New Mexico. This dangerous pattern allowed the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon fires to spread at additional 20,000 acres.

High Wind in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 09-MAY-22 11:07:00 to 09-MAY-22 11:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An ASOS station near Tucumcari measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.

High Wind in WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 08-MAY-22 12:25:00 to 08-MAY-22 15:53:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An ASOS station near Gallup measured a peak wind gust of 66 mph.

High Wind in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 08-MAY-22 16:45:00 to 08-MAY-22 21:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

A portable RAWS station near Frijoles measured a peak wind gust of 64 mph.

High Wind in WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 08-MAY-22 13:29:00 to 08-MAY-22 16:14:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 36.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

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

High Wind in WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 08-MAY-22 14:19:00 to 08-MAY-22 15:59:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 38.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A weather station near Thoreau measured a peak sustained wind speed of 44 mph.

High Wind in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 08-MAY-22 15:19:00 to 09-MAY-22 13:34:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 36.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

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

High Wind in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 07-MAY-22 21:30:00 to 09-MAY-22 00:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

A portable RAWS station near Cowles measured a peak wind gust of 62 mph.

High Wind in EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 08-MAY-22 02:15:00 to 09-MAY-22 08:55:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

An AWOS station near Angel Fire measured a peak wind gust of 60 mph.

High Wind in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 08-MAY-22 15:13:00 to 08-MAY-22 15:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An ASOS station near Clayton measured a brief wind gust of 59 mph.

High Wind in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 09-MAY-22 08:34:00 to 09-MAY-22 11:54:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 35.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A weather station near Tucumcari measured a peak sustained wind speed of 40 mph.

High Wind in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS INCLUDING EDGEWOOD, NEW MEXICO
From 09-MAY-22 05:04:00 to 09-MAY-22 05:34:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A weather station near Sandia Park measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.

High Wind in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 09-MAY-22 14:55:00 to 09-MAY-22 15:10:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

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

High Wind in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 08-MAY-22 10:53:00 to 09-MAY-22 10:53:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An ASOS station near Las Vegas measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.