Video Of The Blinding Dust Storm In Artesia, NM Today.

Blog updated at 7:00 AM MST Wed Feb 29, 2012.

Today's NASA MODIS Visible Satellite Image Of NM.

Sand Is Being Blown Northeastward From White Sands,

And The Brown Splotches Are Blowing Dust Over Mexico,

And Southeastern/Eastern New Mexico.

15-Vehicle Pile Up North Of Artesia Tuesday.

Blowing dirt is blamed for this multi-car crash on U.S. Highway 285 north of Artesia early Tuesday afternoon, according to N.M. State Police. Officers were first called to a two-car collision at around 12:30 p.m., but a total of 15 vehicles eventually crashed into the pileup, said NMSP Sgt. Lawrence Murray. Ten people were hospitalized - eight of those transported by ambulance - but none were seriously injured, police said. Article is courtesy of the Carlsbad Current Argus. http://www.currentargus.com/ci_20066513

As of 2:30 PM MST this afternoon some of the stronger wind gusts that already been recorded include-

WSMR - Salinas Peak (Sierra County) 107 mph

WSMR - Museum 83 mph

WSMR (EMRE) - NE of San Augustine Pass 79 mph

Sierra Blanca Regional Airport 74 mph

WSMR Main Post 70 mph

WSMR- Bldg 1830 69 mph

Artesia Airport AWOS 67 mph

Pine Springs - GNP 65 mph

San Augustine Pass - Organ Mtn's 63 mph

Guadalupe Pass ASOS 63 mph

Dunken Raws 60 mph

Bowl Raws - North Of Guadalupe Pk 59 mph

Tatum MesoNet 59 mph

2 SW Tatum 57 mph

Carlsbad Airport ASOS 56 mph

Dunken Raws 55 mph

Carlsbad - NMAQ 55 mph

Roswell Airport ASOS 53 mph

Hobbs Airport 53 mph

Caprock Raws 53 mph

Fort Stanton Raws 52 mph

Pinery Raws - Pine Springs 51 mph

Sacramento Peak - Sunspot 50 mph

Mescal Raws - Mescalero 50 mph

Wind Data Is Courtesy Of-

NM MesoWest Weather

NCAR Surface Observations

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Very Windy & Dusty Today!

Blog updated at 2:35 PM MST.

Today.

Map Is Courtesy Of The Midland NWS Office.

Map Is Courtesy Of The Midland NWS Office.

Map Is Courtesy Of The Albuquerque NWS Office.

Map Is Courtesy Of The El Paso NWS Office.

Map Is Courtesy Of The Lubbock NWS Office.

Visible Satellite Image At 1:45 PM MST Today.

Strong southwesterly-westerly winds are already howling to the west of us. As of 2:30 PM MST this afternoon some of the stronger wind gusts that already been recorded include-

WSMR - Salinas Peak (Sierra County) 107 mph
WSMR - Museum 83 mph

WSMR (EMRE) - NE of San Augustine Pass 79 mph
Sierra Blanca Regional Airport 74 mph
WSMR Main Post 70 mph

WSMR- Bldg 1830 69 mph
Artesia Airport AWOS 67 mph
Pine Springs - GNP 65 mph

San Augustine Pass - Organ Mtn's 63 mph
Guadalupe Pass ASOS 63 mph
Dunken Raws 60 mph

Bowl Raws - North Of Guadalupe Pk 59 mph
Tatum MesoNet 59 mph
2 SW Tatum 57 mph
Carlsbad Airport ASOS 56 mph
Dunken Raws 55 mph
Carlsbad - NMAQ 55 mph
Roswell Airport ASOS 53 mph
Hobbs Airport 53 mph
Caprock Raws 53 mph

Fort Stanton Raws 52 mph
Pinery Raws - Pine Springs 51 mph

Sacramento Peak - Sunspot 50 mph
Mescal Raws - Mescalero 50 mph

Wind Data Is Courtesy Of-

NM MesoWest Weather
NCAR Surface Observations

Areas of dense fog covers parts of SE NM early this morning. At 6 AM MST the Roswell Airport ASOS was reporting a visibility of 1/4 of a mile in dense fog, the Artesia Airport AWOS was reporting fog with a visibility of 5 miles. This will clear out soon as the southwesterly wind machine roars to life after sunrise.

You are not going to like today's weather across the area. A widespread High Wind and Blowing Dust Event appears to be shaping up. Critically Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions are also anticipated. Please see this Special Weather Briefing courtesy of the Albuquerque National Weather Service Office.

A High Wind Warning remains in effect for the Guadalupe Mountains through 8 PM MST this evening. Southwest-west winds are forecast to increase to 40-60G85 mph. Difficult driving conditions may occur due to these dangerously high crosswinds. Its possible that US Hwy 62/180 could be shut down through Guadalupe Pass due to these high winds.

A High Wind Warning remains in effect through 5 PM MST this afternoon for the southern Sacramento Mountains. Southwest-west winds are forecast to increase to 35-45G60+ mph today. Difficult driving conditions may occur due to these dangerously high crosswinds.

A High Wind Warning remains in effect for Lincoln and southwest Chaves Counties, as well as across the central mountains and the eastern plains of the state through 6 PM MST today. Southwest-west winds are forecast to increase to 30-45G60+ mph, with some locations seeing gusts possibly as high as 70 mph. Difficult driving conditions may occur due to these dangerously high crosswinds.

A Wind Advisory is in effect for Chaves County today through 5 PM MST. Southwest-west winds are forecast to increase to 25-35G50 mph. Difficult driving conditions may occur due to these dangerously high crosswinds.

A Wind Advisory will be in effect for Eddy/Lea/Culberson Counties from 8 AM MST this morning through 5 PM MST. Southwest-west winds are forecast to increase to 30-40G55 mph. Difficult driving conditions may occur due to these dangerously high crosswinds.

Damaging wind gusts will be possible across some areas today. This will be especially true in those areas that experience wind gusts in excess of 60 mph. High winds may damage some roofs, barns, and small sheds. Small trees and tree branches may be blown down. Power lines and other cables could be brought down by the high winds. Some irrigation sprinkler systems may be blown away if not properly tied down and full of water. Some west facing windows may be blown out in the higher gusts. Its possible that some vehicles could also be blown over in the dangerous cross winds on north-south facing highways.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for most of the area for tomorrow. Critically Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions are anticipated tomorrow, so please refrain from any type of outdoor activity that involves the use of sparks or flame. Please do not toss your cigarettes out of your vehicles while driving down our local roadways. Please do not drive your vehicles off of well maintained roadways, the hot catalytic converters can easily start a fire when coming into contact with the very dry grasses and brush. Please no outside burning of any kind. Any accidental fire that should start will have the potential to rapidly spread and grow in the high winds and extremely dry conditions.

Widespread areas of blowing dust are forecast to develop across the area tomorrow. Visibilities are expected to drop below one mile in many areas at times. Sudden drops in the visibility down to near zero with little to no advanced warning will also be possible in some places. This will be especially true over and near freshly plowed and exposed farmlands, fields, lots, and construction sites. Blinding clouds of dust will suddenly whip across the roadways in and near these areas making for potentially extremely hazardous travel conditions. Some local roadways may be shut down due to the high winds and the blowing dust on Tuesday.

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High Wind & Blowing Dust Event Tuesday!

Tonight.

Map Is Courtesy Of The Midland NWS Office.

Areas of low clouds, fog, and drizzle are forecast to develop across SE NM and W TX tonight. Areas of dense fog will be possible which may drop the visibility down to less than 1/4 of a mile later tonight into tomorrow morning in some locations. 

Tuesday.

Map Is Courtesy Of The Midland NWS Office.

Map Is Courtesy Of The Albuquerque NWS Office.

Map Is Courtesy Of The El Paso NWS Office.

Map Is Courtesy Of The Lubbock NWS Office.

You are not going to like tomorrow's weather across the area. A widespread High Wind and Blowing Dust Event appears to be shaping up. High winds are forecast to kick up across the Guadalupe and Sacramento Mountains around 2 AM MST tonight. Critically Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions are also anticipated. Please see this Special Weather Briefing courtesy of the Albuquerque National Weather Service Office.

A High Wind Warning is in effect for the Guadalupe Mountains from 5 AM MST tomorrow morning through 8 PM MST tomorrow evening. Southwest-west winds are forecast to increase to 45-55G80 mph. Difficult driving conditions may occur due to these dangerously high cross winds. Its possible that US Hwy 62/180 could be shut down through Guadalupe Pass due to these high winds. 

A High Wind Warning will go into effect at 2 AM MST tonight and will continue in effect through 5 PM MST tomorrow afternoon for the southern Sacramento Mountains. Southwest-west winds are forecast to increase to 25-35 mph this evening, then increase further to 35-35G60+ mph after 2 AM tomorrow morning. Difficult driving conditions may occur due to these dangerously high cross winds. 

A High Wind Warning will be in effect for Lincoln and Chaves Counties, as well as across the central moutnains and the eastern plains of the state from 7 AM MST tomorrow morning through 6 PM MST tomorrow evening. Southwest-west winds are forecast to increase to 30-45G60 mph with some locations seeing gusts possibly as high as 70 mph. Difficult driving conditions may occur due to these dangerously high cross winds.

A Wind Advisory has been issued for Eddy/Lea/Culberson Counties that will be in effect from 8 AM MST tomorrow through 5 PM MST. Southwest-west winds are forecast to increase to 30-40G55 mph. This Advisory may possibly be upgraded to a High Wind Warning.  Difficult driving conditions may occur due to these dangerously high cross winds.

Damaging wind gusts will be possible across some areas tomorrow. High winds may damage some roofs, barns and small sheds. Small trees and tree branches may be blown down. Power lines and other cables could be brought down by the high winds. Some irrigation sprinkler systems may be blown away if not properly tied down and full of water. Some west facing windows may be blown out in the higher gusts. Its possible that some vehicles could also be blown over in the dangerous cross winds on north-south facing highways. 

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for most of the area for tomorrow. Critically Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions are anticipated tomorrow, so please refrain from any type of outdoor activity that involves the use of sparks or flame. Please do not toss your cigarettes out of your vehicles while driving down our local roadways. Please do not drive your vehicles off of well maintained roadways, the hot catalytic converters can easily start a fire when coming into contact with the very dry grasses and brush. Please no outside burning of any kind. Any accidental fire that should start will have the potential to rapidly spread and grow in the high winds and extremely dry conditions. 

Widespread areas of blowing dust are forecast to develop across the area tomorrow. Visibilities are expected to drop below one mile in many areas at times. Sudden drops in the visibility down to near zero with little to no advanced warning will also be possible in some places. This will be especially true over and near freshly plowed and exposed farmlands, fields, lots, and construction sites. Blinding clouds of dust will suddenly whip across the roadways in and near these areas making for potentially extremely hazardous travel conditions. Some local roadways may be shut down due to the high winds and the blowing dust on Tuesday.

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Cooler Today - Wind & Dust Tuesday.

Today's Outlook.

Surface Map Forecast For Today At 11 AM MST.

Map Is Courtesy Of The Midland NWS Office.

Gusty northerly winds are occurring along and behind a cold front as it slips southward through the local area early this morning. As of 5:30 AM the Bat Draw Raws located at the Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center had recorded a peak gust of 46 mph. The Carlsbad Airport ASOS was gusting up to 32 mph, while the Artesia Airport AWOS was clocking a gust of 29 mph.

Today will be cooler behind the front and a little on the breezy side this morning. Our afternoon high temperatures are forecast to range from 54 in Hobbs, to 60 in Roswell, 63 in Artesia, and 65 in Carlsbad.  Low clouds along with areas of fog and drizzle may cover parts of southeastern New Mexico this morning, and more so tonight. 

High Winds - Widespread Blowing Dust 

& Dangerous Fire Wx Conditions Tue!

Surface Map Forecast At 5 PM MST Tue Feb 28, 2012.

WRF-NMM 500 MB Forecast At 11 AM MST Tue. 

Low clouds, fog, and areas of light drizzle are forecast to cover parts of SE NM and W TX later tonight into Tuesday morning. Clearing conditions will occur fairly rapidly tomorrow morning as the ol wind machine cranks up. Our forecast high temperatures for Tuesday range from the low 70's to the upper 70's.

Our next upper-level storm is forecast to move across northern New Mexico tomorrow. Very strong winds aloft will blanket the state tomorrow. A 140 knot or 161 mph polar jet stream will traverse the northeastern corner of the state, while a 90 knot or 104 mph jet will be located at the 500 millibar or 18,000' level. Southwesterly winds are forecast to be howling along at around 50-70 knots or 58-81 mph at the mountain top level (10,000') or 700 millibars. As the surface pressure gradient tightens up, and the strong winds aloft start to mix downward to the surface, another high wind and blowing dust event is anticipated across the area tomorrow.

A High Wind Watch remains in effect for the Guadalupe Mountains for Tuesday. Southwesterly winds are expected to increase to 35-55G75 mph. A High Wind Warning is in effect for Otero County on Tuesday for southwesterly-westerly winds of 25-35G50+ mph. A High Wind Watch remains in effect for Lincoln and Chaves Counties as well for southwesterly winds of 30-45G60 mph. We will likely see Eddy and perhaps Lea Counties added to this list later today or early tomorrow. Southwesterly winds of around 30-40G50 mph look possible across the rest of our local area tomorrow.

Widespread areas of blowing dust across S/SE/E New Mexico and parts of W TX will be possible tomorrow. Please be on the lookout for sudden drops in the visibility down to near zero in the higher wind gusts. This will be especially true over and near freshly plowed or exposed farmlands, open fields and lots, and construction sites. These sudden drops in the visibility in these areas will occur with little to no advanced warning, so please use extra caution on our local roadways tomorrow.

A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for the area for tomorrow as well. Please refrain from any type of outdoor activity that involves the use of sparks or flame. Keep your vehicles on maintained and paved roadways, and please do not toss your cigarettes out of the window of your vehicles when driving down our roadways. Any accidental fire will have the potential to rapidly spread and grow in the high winds and extremely dry conditions. 

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Very Windy Tuesday.

Click On The Maps To Enlarge Them.

Surface Map Forecast AT 5 AM MST Mon Feb 27, 2012.

WRF-NMM 500 Millibar/18,000' MSL Forecast.

Valid At 5 AM MST Mon Feb 27, 2012.

Map Is Courtesy Of NWS Midland.

Today.

Another sunny and unseasonably warm day is on tap for us today. Under sunny skies our afternoon high temperatures are forecast to range from 72 in Tatum, 73 in Hobbs, 74 in Roswell, 75 in Artesia, and 76 in Carlsbad. 

Monday.

A weak cold front will slip into the area late tonight or early Monday morning. Moist low-level upslope flow behind this front will help to create areas of fog across parts of SE NM and W TX later tonight, which will persists into Monday morning. The fog should burn off by late Monday morning. Monday will be a little cooler across the area with high temperatures ranging from the low 60's to near 70. Southerly winds will increase Monday afternoon into the 15-25 mph range.

Tuesday.

Widespread High Wind & Blowing Dust Event Tuesday!

Critically Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions!

Surface Map Forecast At 5 AM MST Tue Feb 28, 2012.

WRF-NMM 250 Millibar/34,000' MSL Forecast.

Valid At 11 AM MST Tue Feb 28, 2012.

WRF-NMM 500 Millibar/18,000' MSL Forecast.

Valid At 11 AM MST Tue Feb 28, 2012.

WRF-NMM 700 Millibar/10,000' MSL Forecast.

Valid At 11 AM MST Tue Feb 28, 2012.

A Potentially Damaging High Wind Event will impact much of the area on Tuesday as the next mid-upper storm moves across northern New Mexico. A combination of very strong winds aloft, a deepening surface low over eastern Colorado producing a tightening surface pressure gradient, and good mixing of the atmosphere, will help to make Tuesday a miserable day for many of us.

 A 125 knot/144 mph Polar Jet will cross over eastern and northeastern New Mexico on Tuesday. Meanwhile at the mountain top level around 10,000' MSL, or at the 700 millibar level, southwesterly winds are forecast to increase to 60-70 knots/69-81 mph by around noontime. 

As the surface pressure gradient tightens up, and the Pacific cold front approaches, these stronger winds aloft will mix down to the surface. Damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph are expected to occur along and east of the central mountain chain and eastward out onto the eastern plains of the state by midday Tuesday. 

A High Wind Watch has already been issued for the Guadalupe Mountains for late Monday night into Tuesday afternoon. Southwesterly winds are forecast to increase to 35-45 mph with gusts near 70 mph. I suspect that we are going to see southwesterly wind gusts of at least 50-60 mph across the southeastern plains on Tuesday. 

A widespread blowing dust event will be a possibility on Tuesday across the area. There will be the potential for travel impacts due to very poor visibilities on local roadways due to the blowing dust. 

A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for the area for Tuesday. A dangerous fire weather sitiutation could develop across parts of the area on Tuesday with the high winds and extremely dry conditions that are forecast.

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Blowing Dust In Carlsbad/Loving, NM Today.

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-

WeatherUnderground

MesoWest Weather

NCAR - Surface Observations (Metars)

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Spring-Like Weather Today.

Click On The Maps To Enlarge Them.

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 Warning remains 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, McKittrick Canyon Raws 64 mph, and the Queen Raws 52 mph. 

A Wind Advisory is in effect for Eddy and Culberson Counties from 8 AM MST - 5 PM MST today. Westerly winds are forecast to become sustained at around 30-35 mph with gusts near 50 mph. Some higher gusts will be possible over and near the foothills and mountains.

 Areas of blowing dust may also lower the visibility in a few places. This will be especially true over and near exposed or freshly plowed farmland, fields, lots and construction sites. Sudden drops in the visibility to less than one mile will be possible in these areas, so drivers please use caution when approaching these normally dust prone areas. 

Along with the high winds and near record-to-record high temperatures, comes Widespread Critically Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions today. A Red Flag Warning will be in effect for all of E/SE/S NM and most of W TX today. Please don't toss your cigarettes out of your vehicles, or drive them off maintained roadways and into grassy or brushy areas. Today will not be a good day to be involved in any type of outdoor activity that involves the use of sparks or flame. Please don't burn your fence lines, bar ditches, weeds, grass, or trash. Any fire that should accidentally start will have the potential to rapidly spread and  grow in the high winds and extremely dry conditions. 

A dry Pacific cold front will arrive around sunset this evening. Strong gusty westerly winds will shift around to the north and northeast with the frontal passage. These northerly winds are expected to gust up to around 45 mph, or perhaps higher in a few locations. Friday will be much cooler across the local area with our high temperatures only making it up into the 50's.

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