My Current Weather

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

High Winds - Blowing Dust - Critically Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions Today!



Valid Today Through 6 AM MDT Wednesday.


Valid Today Through 6 AM MDT Wednesday.


Valid Today Through 6 AM MDT Wednesday.

Dangerous Winds Today!

March madness will once again play out over the local area today into this evening with another high wind and blowing dust event. Travel upon local roadways will become difficult if not dangerous in many areas...especially across north/south facing roads. Travel through Guadalupe Pass will be especially difficult and dangerous due to the high winds. It's possible that the pass may become closed due to the winds.

High Wind Warnings are in effect for today into this evening for parts of the Southeastern New Mexico Plains and nearby Guadalupe, Sacramento, and Capitan mountains. West winds will increase this morning across the plains and become sustained at around 35 to 45 mph with gusts 60 to 65 mph. Some locations may experience higher gusts especially those locals near the foothills and mountains.

High Wind Warnings are also in effect for the Guadalupe mountains where west winds will become sustained at 50 to 60 mph with gusts near 85 mph. A few higher gusts are possible. It's interesting to note that the NWS NDFD model forecasts gusts near 94 mph in the Guadalupe Pass area.

High Wind Warnings are also in effect today into this evening for the Sacramento and Capitan mountains and southern New Mexico. West winds will become sustained at around 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. Higher gusts are possible in a few areas. Note that the ECMWF model forecasts gusts near 100 mph on Sierra Blanca Peak west of Ruidoso. 

Elsewhere Wind Advisories are in effect for Lea County and parts of West Texas for west winds becoming sustained at around 30 to 40 mph with gusts near 55 mph.

Some damages from the high winds are possible today and this evening. Roof and shingle damage as well small outbuildings and barns may be damaged by the highest gusts. Tree and limb damages may also occur. Some power lines and other utility lines may be blown down. High-profile vehicles may be blown off roadways. Some agriculture sprinkler irrigation systems may be damaged or destroyed. 

Widespread blowing dust is anticipated this afternoon and evening. Blowing Dust Advisories are in effect for southern New Mexico. Expect the visibility to drop down to less than one mile in these areas and across the local area also. Sudden drops in the visibility down to zero will occur over and near the following areas: Road construction sites, freshly plowed or exposed farmlands, fields, and lots. Remember that we have a history of multiple vehicle accidents in blowing dust events locally. 

Critically Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions will also exist areawide today. The exceptionally dry conditions combined with single-digit relative humidity values and high winds will all combine to make this a potentially dangerous day for fire weather actiivity. Any wild fire, forest fire, grass, or rangeland fire will have the ability to rapidly spread and grow in the high winds.

The Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction!

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