Full Notification

A potent weather system will approach from the west Thursday then cross the region Friday through Saturday. Southwest winds will increase Thursday with gusts of 40 to 50 mph expected over much of central and eastern NM. Areas of blowing dust are likely with low visibility at times, especially around Roswell. Low humidity and warm temperatures with these winds will also elevate the risk for rapid wildfire spread on Thursday. Snow is then expected to spread into the northern and western high terrain Thursday night and Friday. Areas of blowing snow, very low visibility, and slick travel are likely to develop in the mountains. Very strong west winds will then spread across all of New Mexico on Friday with damaging wind gusts of 65 to 80 mph possible, mainly along and east of the central mountain chain. Significant blowing dust is possible again with low visibility, especially around Roswell. Travel will be dangerous for high-profile vehicles, especially on I-25 south of Raton Pass to near Las Vegas and on US285 from near Santa Fe to Roswell due to extremely hazardous cross winds. Damage may occur to light weight structures, roofs, fences, patio furniture, and outdoor decorations. Power outages are likely across eastern NM. Winds are expected to turn out of the northwest Saturday and remain breezy for the entire area. Snow may also continue across the higher terrain of northern and western NM Friday night and Saturday. Residents and travelers throughout New Mexico should remain alert to the latest forecast information at weather.gov/abq or via your preferred media outlet. Have alternative plans for travel and outdoor activities as you prepare for this period of hazardous weather.

* AFFECTED AREAS: NORTHWEST PLATEAU ... CHUSKA MOUNTAINS ... FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS ... NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS ... WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU ... WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS ... WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ... SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS ... SAN FRANCISCO RIVER VALLEY ... TUSAS MOUNTAINS INCLUDING CHAMA ... JEMEZ MOUNTAINS ... GLORIETA MESA INCLUDING GLORIETA PASS ... NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ... SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ... EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ... UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY ... ESPANOLA VALLEY ... SANTA FE METRO AREA ... MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY/ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA ... LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY ... SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS INCLUDING EDGEWOOD ... ESTANCIA VALLEY ... CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ... SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ... UPPER TULAROSA VALLEY ... SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS ... JOHNSON AND BARTLETT MESAS INCLUDING RATON PASS ... FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS ... NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS ... UNION COUNTY ... HARDING COUNTY ... EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY ... GUADALUPE COUNTY ... QUAY COUNTY ... CURRY COUNTY ... ROOSEVELT COUNTY ... DE BACA COUNTY ... CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS ... EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY ... SOUTHWEST CHAVES COUNTY ... SAN AGUSTIN PLAINS AND ADJACENT LOWLANDS