Two Days Of Very Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions!
We are facing two days of Very Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions across not just southeastern New Mexico, but also across most of the state and West Texas. Today will be rough but Sunday has the potential to be extremely dangerous with the potential for large wind driven fires!
An upper-level storm will sweep across the state tomorrow and Monday. Very strong winds aloft will start mixing down to the surface this afternoon, and especially tomorrow.The dryline will get shoved eastward into West Texas today, and a strong but dry Pacific Cold Front plows eastward across the state late tomorrow.
Record high temperatures are forecast to occur across many areas of New Mexico today and tomorrow. Our high temps here in SE NM will range from 95-100 today, and these readings will generally be in the mid 90's tomorrow. A few locations may come close to tying or breaking their all time April high temperature records today.
Our highs will dip down to 70-75 on Monday behind the front. Our overnight low temperatures Monday night into Tuesday morning will be in the 30's, and a few spots across the lower elevations of SE NM may experience temperatures near freezing.
Strong southwesterly to westerly winds are forecast to pick up across the local area this afternoon. Most locations will see these winds sustained at around 20-25 mph with gusts near 35 mph. These winds are forecast to increase to 30 - 40 mph on Sunday with gusts near 45 - 55 mph across the lower elevations of Eddy and Lea Counties. A Wind Advisory may be issued for Eddy and Lea Counties later today which would be in effect on Sunday.
A High Wind Warning has been issued for Chaves, Lincoln, and Otero Counties on Sunday. SW-W winds are forecast to increase to sustained speeds of around 35 - 45 mph with gusts to near 60 - 70 mph! A High Wind Warning is in effect for the Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy and Culberson Counties for SW-W winds of around 35 - 45 mph with gusts near 65 mph on Sunday.
These winds will be strong enough to potentially cause some damage to property in these areas tomorrow. Some power lines, small trees, and tree limbs may be blown down. Roof damage may occur to some homes, outbuildings, sheds, and barns.
Travel may become difficult on local highways, especially on north/south facing roads, in the dangerous crosswind gusts of 60 - 70 mph. Areas of blowing dust will reduce the visibility down to less than 1/2 of a mile with little to no advanced warning. This will be especially true near freshly plowed or exposed farmlands, fields, lots, construction sites, and other normally dust prone areas.
The ongoing and worsening drought, record high temperatures, single digit relative humidity values, and the howling winds will all combine together on Sunday to potentially make for one very dangerous situation across the area! Please avoid any type of outdoor activity that involves the use of sparks or flame today into tomorrow. Any fire that should accidentally develop, will have the potential to rapidly spread and grow in the high winds! There is the potential for large wind driven fires across the area today into Sunday evening.
The Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction!
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