Welcome To Southeast New Mexico Weather.

Blog Updated At 8:40 AM Fri Feb 24, 2012.


I took a drive down US Hwy 62/180 south of Carlsbad, and down US Hwy 285 from Carlsbad to Loving this morning. The visibility was reduced at times in spots, down to less than 100 feet due to the thick blowing dust. These clouds of dust were originating from the local plowed and open farmlands. The prevailing visibility was generally around 1-2 miles. Welcome to an early arrival of spring. Yuck!
Peak wind speeds reported so far to day include-
Bowl Raws 1/2 Mile North of Guadalupe Peak 84 mph Guadalupe Pass ASOS 78 mph Pinery Raws In Pine Springs 75 mph McKittrick Canyon Raws 64 mph Carlsbad Airport ASOS 63 mph Queen Raws 59 mph SW Carlsbad - NMAQ  56 mph Carlsbad - Ridgecrest Subdivision 56 mph Artesia Airport AWOS 50 mph
High Temperatures Reported Thursday Include-
Paduca Raws 84 2.1 NNW Downtown Carlsbad 83 Artesia Airport HCN 83 Carlsbad Airport 82 Carlsbad NAMQ 82 Artesia Airport AWOS 81 Roswell Airport 80 
Wind Speed & Temperature Data Is Courtesy Of-
Wea…

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Map Is Courtesy Of The Midland NWS Office.
Surface Map Forecast At 5 PM MST.
It appears that our typically warm, dry, and windy spring weather we normally see in March and April, just can't wait to get cranked up this year. Today will certainly feel like March with the high winds, areas of blowing dust, the high fire danger, and the near record warm temperatures. Our National Weather Service forecast high temperatures today will range from 74 in Tatum, to 78 in Hobbs, 81 in Roswell, 83 in Artesia, and 84 in Carlsbad. A few new records may be established. 
A High Wind Warningremains in effect for the Guadalupe Mountains today through 5 PM MST. Westerly winds are forecast to be sustained at around 40-50 mph with gusts to at least 65-70 mph. Westerly winds are already howling across the Guadalupe's early this morning. As of 5:30 AM MST some of the higher gusts being noted include- The Bowl Raws 84 mph, Guadalupe Pass 76 mph, Pine Springs Raws 74 mph…

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Today's Outlook.
Today's National Weather Outlook.
Our afternoon high temperatures yesterday were more like early spring readings than late winter readings across SE NM. Highs ranged from 75 here at my home in Carlsbad to 74 at the Artesia Airport (HCN), 74 at the Carlsbad Airport, 74 at the Paduca Raws, 72 at 10 miles ESE of Hagerman, 71 at the Roswell Airport, and 70 at the Hobbs Airport.
Strong westerly winds are buffeting the Guadalupe Mountains at sunrise this morning. A High Wind Warning remains in effect through 5 PM MST this afternoon. Some of the stronger gusts being reported include 63 mph at the Bowl Raws, 60 mph at the Pinery Raws located in Pine Springs, and 56 mph at Guadalupe Pass.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the Guadalupe Mountains today, and a Fire Weather Watchis in effect for all of SE NM and much of W TX for Thursday. Our afternoon high temperatures are forecast to be in the mid-upper 70's today. Similar readings …

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Thursday's Weather.
Map Is Courtesy Of The Midland NWS Office.
Surface Map Forecast At 5 PM MST Thu Feb 23, 2012. 
WRF-NMM 500 MB Forecast. Valid At 5 PM MST Thu Feb 23, 2012.
Red Flag Warning Wednesday Afternoon.
Fire Weather Watch Thursday. 
My thermometer is showing 74-degrees at 1:20 pm this afternoon. Just a taste of what most of this week will be like. The exception will be Friday which is forecast to be cooler, with our afternoon highs forecast to be near 60. A cold front will move south into the area Thursday afternoon and evening providing the cooling for Friday. Westerly winds are forecast to kick up ahead of the front on Thursday and this will help to heighten the fire danger across the area.
A Return To Colder Weather Next Week?
ECMWF 500 MB Forecast. Valid At 5 AM MST Mon Feb 27, 2012.
ECMWF 850 MB Forecast. Valid At 5 AM MST Mon Feb 27, 2012.
I have been keeping an eye on the models concerning next weeks potential return to colder weather for sev…