Wednesday winds elevate fire risk in eastern New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Winds are picking up Wednesday and bringing an elevated fire risk to eastern New Mexico.

Midway through Wednesday, Tucumcari saw the highest wind gusts, of 43 mph. From there on up to Raton, over to Red River and down to Santa Fe, Ruidoso and Clovis, winds will gust between 45 and 60 mph max. Las Vegas is expected to see 61 mph wind gusts!

The wind will combine with 1-2 inches of snow in Red River, where blowing snow is likely. Aside from 2-3 inches in Chama, that will be the most snow seen anywhere in New Mexico. Trace snow will fall in places like Farmington, Gallup and Taos.

In the mountains, beware of slick conditions and blowing snow. In the plains, beware of the fire danger. It’s quite the contrast in conditions that Steve Stucker shows in his full forecast, in the video above.