Weather
New Mexico Weather Warning: Damaging Winds Hit Before Deep Freeze Oct 15-17
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – A powerful combination of damaging winds and freezing temperatures is threatening communities across New Mexico, with gusts reaching 55 mph Thursday night and temperatures potentiall
By Cameron Hayes · 2026-10-15T19:11:23.582Z
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – A powerful combination of damaging winds and freezing temperatures is threatening communities across New Mexico, with gusts reaching 55 mph Thursday night and temperatures potentially plunging into the lower 20s by Saturday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, high wind warnings, wind advisories and freeze alerts cover large portions of central, northern and eastern New Mexico, raising concerns about hazardous travel, power outages and damage to sensitive vegetation.
Dangerous Winds Arrive Thursday Evening
A High Wind Warning takes effect at 6 p.m. Thursday and continues through 9 a.m. Friday for the Albuquerque metro area, Middle and Lower Rio Grande valleys, South Central Highlands and Upper Tularosa Valley.
East winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts reaching 55 mph, could knock down trees and power lines, potentially causing outages.
Meanwhile, Curry, Roosevelt, Union and Harding counties face wind advisories through midnight Thursday, with gusts reaching 45 to 50 mph.
Motorists, particularly those driving trucks, RVs and other high profile vehicles, should prepare for dangerous crosswinds.
Freeze Watches Expand Across New Mexico
The next concern arrives Friday morning, when freeze warnings cover the Estancia Valley, Central Highlands, Northeast Highlands and Union County from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m.
An even colder period could develop late Friday night into Saturday morning.
Freeze watches cover Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Española, eastern New Mexico and surrounding communities.
Temperatures could fall to 22 degrees in portions of the central and northeastern highlands, 24 degrees near Union County and 29 degrees around Albuquerque.
Residents Urged to Prepare
The National Weather Service warns that freezing conditions could kill crops, damage sensitive plants and potentially harm unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Residents should secure outdoor furniture, protect vulnerable vegetation and exercise caution while traveling.
A Freeze Watch means freezing temperatures are possible, and residents should monitor forecasts for potential warning upgrades.