Peak Wind Gusts Reported Thu Dec 30, 2010.
High Winds Rake SE NM Yesterday!
Southwesterly to westerly winds cranked up across southeastern New Mexico overnight Wednesday, and continued into Thursday night. The Artesia Airport reported a peak gust from the southwest of 60 mph at 3:10 AM MST Thursday morning.
The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Midland, Texas is reporting in this mornings Area Forecast Discussion (AFD), that the Guadalupe Pass ASOS (Automated Surface Observing Station) reported a peak wind gust of 105 knots, or 121 mph yesterday afternoon. I am waiting to see if this was indeed a valid report. It's a little odd though, since the Bowl Raws equipment located just north of Guadalupe Peak, reported a peak wind gust of only 79 mph.
Today is going to be another windy day across southeastern New Mexico. A Wind Advisory is in effect for the lower elevations of southeastern New Mexico today, as well as the Sacramento Mountains. Westerly winds are forecast to increase to 25-35G50 mph later this morning, and continue into late this afternoon.
A High Wind Warning remains in effect for the Guadalupe Mountains until 5 PM MST this afternoon. Westerly winds are forecast to increase to 40-60G100 mph today! Travel may become downright dangerous, if not impossible through Guadalupe Pass, and some road closures may occur in the area due to the extreme crosswinds.
Some wind damage may occur with some of the stronger gusts, especially in and near the mountains. Small trees and tree limbs may be blown down, roof damage may occur, agricultural irrigation sprinklers may be blown away, small barns and sheds may be damaged, some west facing windows may be blown out, and some roadway signs could be blown down. Power lines, and other lines and cables may also be blown down in the stronger gusts.
Areas of blowing dust may develop across the local area today, in spite of the light rain/snow showers last night. Sudden drops in the visibility down to near zero, with little to no advanced warning, will occur near and close to the normally dust prone areas. Such as; freshly plowed, or open/exposed farmland and fields, lots, and construction sites on area roadways. Travel upon local roadways may become dangerous in the high winds and the blowing dust. Some road closures may occur tomorrow.
Areas of blowing and drifting snow may make travel difficult on some roadways in the Sacramento Mountains. Ski Apache is reporting 11" of new snow in the past 48 hours. The Sierra Blanca Snotel site is reporting 16". The Cloudcroft Climate Coop Station reported 5.5" of snow, 1.8 SW of Cloudcroft reported 3.0", 2.3 S of Cloudcroft 3.0" this morning. Additional snowfall totals from around the state can be found here.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for all of southeastern New Mexico and parts of West Texas today. Critically dangerous fire weather conditions are forecast for all of the local area through this afternoon. Please refrain from any type of outdoor activity that involves the use of sparks or flame. Any grass or wild-land, or forest fire that should develop will have the ability to rapidly spread and grow in the strong southwesterly winds.
Guadalupe Pass | 121 MPH |
Bowl Raws | 79 MPH |
2 SW Tatum | 79 MPH |
Apache Point Observatory - Sunspot | 74 MPH |
Smokey Bear Raws - Ruidoso | 70 MPH |
Caprock Raws | 70 MPH |
Pinery Raws | 61 MPH |
High Roll | 61 MPH |
Dunken Raws | 60 MPH |
Clovis Municipal Airport | 59 MPH |
8-Mile Draw Raws | 58 MPH |
Artesia Airport | 58 MPH |
Roswell Airport | 56 MPH |
Woody Farms - 11 North Hobbs | 53 MPH |
South Hobbs | 52 MPH |
East Hobbs | 51 MPH |
Dell City, TX | 51 MPH |
Sierra Blanca Regional Airport | 50 MPH |
Bat Draw Raws | 49 MPH |
Carlsbad Airport | 48 MPH |
Peak Wind Speed Data Courtesy Of-
The Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction!
Comments
Post a Comment
Your comments, questions, and feedback on this post/web page are welcome.