Weather
New Mexico High Wind Warning: 60 MPH Gusts Oct 15-16
Albuquerque, NM – Powerful east winds could roar through portions of central New Mexico Thursday evening, bringing gusts as high as 60 mph and creating potentially dangerous travel conditions across t
By Grant Holloway · 2026-10-15T09:15:18.175Z
Albuquerque, NM – Powerful east winds could roar through portions of central New Mexico Thursday evening, bringing gusts as high as 60 mph and creating potentially dangerous travel conditions across the Albuquerque metropolitan area. The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday and continuing through 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16. Forecasters warn that damaging winds could topple trees, affect power lines and produce outages, while motorists traveling near mountain passes and canyon openings could encounter particularly hazardous conditions.
According to the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, sustained east winds of 35 to 40 mph are expected across the Middle Rio Grande Valley, including the Albuquerque metro area, Lower Rio Grande Valley, South Central Highlands and Upper Tularosa Valley. The strongest gusts could reach 60 mph, with forecasters identifying canyon openings in eastern Albuquerque and Carrizozo as locations particularly vulnerable to intense winds. The warning covers a 15 hour period extending through Friday morning.
Damaging Winds Could Threaten Roads and Power Lines The strongest winds are expected near canyon openings, where the terrain can channel and accelerate easterly airflow. Eastern Albuquerque neighborhoods near the Sandia Mountains may experience particularly forceful gusts as winds push through gaps in the surrounding terrain. These conditions could create localized hazards even where nearby locations experience weaker winds.
The National Weather Service warns that damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines, potentially resulting in electrical outages. Loose outdoor objects, including trash cans, patio furniture and lightweight decorations, could also become airborne. Residents are encouraged to secure unsecured belongings before Thursday evening and avoid parking vehicles beneath vulnerable trees where possible.
Travel could become especially difficult along Interstate 40 near the eastern approaches to Albuquerque, as well as exposed portions of Interstate 25 and surrounding highways. Strong crosswinds may affect trucks, recreational vehicles, trailers and other high profile vehicles. The National Weather Service specifically advises motorists operating high profile vehicles to consider delaying travel during the warning period.
Thursday Evening Brings the Greatest Weather Concern Thursday will begin with relatively quiet conditions in the Albuquerque area, with sunshine and an afternoon high near 71 degrees. North winds of 5 to 15 mph are expected to become easterly during the afternoon, preceding the stronger winds anticipated later in the day.
The local point forecast for approximately 3 miles south southwest of Albuquerque calls for mostly clear skies Thursday night, with temperatures falling to around 44 degrees. East winds of 15 to 25 mph are expected at that specific forecast location, while the broader High Wind Warning indicates substantially stronger winds and gusts across vulnerable portions of the region.
The difference highlights how wind conditions can vary across the metropolitan area, particularly near canyon openings and mountain slopes. Residents in eastern Albuquerque and other exposed locations should prepare for the possibility of significantly stronger gusts than those reflected in a single neighborhood forecast.
Winds Ease Friday Before a Warmer Weekend Conditions should improve Friday as the strongest winds subside following the warning's scheduled 9 a.m. expiration. Sunshine is expected, with temperatures reaching approximately 65 degrees and east winds of 5 to 15 mph. Friday night will turn mostly clear and colder, with temperatures falling to around 35 degrees.
Saturday will bring another sunny afternoon, with a high near 66 degrees, followed by mostly cloudy skies and a nighttime low around 44 degrees. Sunday will become mostly sunny as temperatures climb toward 69 degrees.
A more noticeable warming trend develops early next week, with highs reaching approximately 75 degrees Monday and 76 Tuesday. Showers and thunderstorms become possible Tuesday and Wednesday, although the supplied forecast does not indicate a significant severe weather threat.
For central New Mexico residents, the immediate priority remains preparing for Thursday evening's potentially damaging winds and the hazardous travel conditions that could continue through early Friday.
Are you securing outdoor belongings or changing travel plans ahead of the 60 mph wind threat around Albuquerque?
Five Day Weather Outlook Thursday 10/15: Sunny skies and a high near 71 degrees will give way to increasingly windy conditions, with a High Wind Warning beginning at 6 p.m. and regional gusts potentially reaching 60 mph before temperatures fall to around 44 degrees.
Friday 10/16: The High Wind Warning remains scheduled through 9 a.m., with improving conditions expected afterward as sunshine returns and temperatures reach approximately 65 degrees, followed by mostly clear skies and a nighttime low near 35 degrees.
Saturday 10/17: Sunny skies and a high near 66 degrees will bring calmer conditions following the wind event, with mostly cloudy skies developing Saturday night and temperatures falling to approximately 44 degrees.
Sunday 10/18: Mostly cloudy skies will gradually become sunnier during the afternoon, with temperatures reaching approximately 69 degrees before partly cloudy conditions return Sunday night and temperatures fall to around 47 degrees.
Monday 10/19: Sunshine and a high near 75 degrees will continue the warming trend across the Albuquerque area, followed by partly cloudy skies Monday night and temperatures falling to approximately 51 degrees.
Extended Outlook: Oct. 20 21 Tuesday, Oct. 20, is expected to bring mostly sunny skies and a high near 76 degrees, with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Tuesday night will remain partly cloudy, with temperatures falling to around 53 degrees and a 30% chance of showers.
Wednesday, Oct. 21, will bring partly sunny skies and another high near 76 degrees, with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms.