Travel warnings have been issued across southern New Mexico as tropical storm-force winds sweep the state this week, bringing the risk of widespread power outages, reduced visibility, and extreme wildfire conditions.
Why It Matters
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a high wind warning for the event, with gusts expected up to 65 mph. Although not part of a tropical system, the winds carry the intensity of a tropical storm and threatens to impact both infrastructure and motorists across multiple counties.
What to Know
The warning, issued by the NWS El Paso office, is in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time on Thursday. It covers the Sacramento Mountains, Sierra County Lakes, Eastern Black Range Foothills, and other regions in southern New Mexico.
“Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph [are] possible,” the advisory said.
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Potential impacts include downed trees and power lines, with “widespread power outages” being possible and travel being difficult for high profile vehicles.
Interstate 25 through New Mexico is expected to be hit hard by the strong winds. At times, gusts of wind can be strong enough to blow over high-profile vehicles like semi-trucks and tractor trailers.
A Blowing Dust Advisory was issued alongside the wind alert, cautioning drivers in affected regions, such as White Sands National Park and Chaparral, to expect restricted views on the road. Visibility may drop to a quarter mile in some areas.
The winds also prompted multiple NWS offices in New Mexico to issue red flag warnings, which advise of high fire danger. Any fires that do ignite could spread rapidly.
What People Are Saying
NWS lead meteorologist Connor Dennhardt, who works at the El Paso office, told Newsweek: “This is our windy season out here in the Southwest. It usually runs from early February all the way out through early May. We regularly see these kinds of strong winds, and this is just yet another round of it.”
The NWS office in El Paso said in the high wind warning: “A High Wind Warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more can lead to property damage. A Blowing Dust Advisory means that blowing dust will restrict visibilities. Travelers are urged to use caution.”
NWS El Paso said in a red flag warning: “Windy to very windy conditions will combine with single-digit lowland minimum [relative humidity] values with only the highest elevations seeing minimum [relative humidity] values in the teens. When combined with very dry fuels, critical to possibly extreme fire weather conditions are expected for Thursday afternoon.”
What Happens Next
April is historically a windy month in New Mexico, and the combination of strong winds and dry conditions will continue to increase fire danger across much of the state.
