The National Weather Service in El Paso is sounding the alarm for strong winds and blowing dust across parts of New Mexico and Texas today, with an advisory stretching from 11 AM until 7 PM MST. The NWS advisory warns of southwest winds pushing from 25 to 35 mph, with gusts swinging up to 50 mph. Weather conditions include reduced visibility, potentially dropping down to between one-quarter and one mile in areas of blowing dust, according to the National Weather Service.
Travelers are advised to tread carefully as hazardous driving conditions are expected due to the dusty shroud dimming the roads. Persons with respiratory problems should make preparations to stay indoors until the storm passes. Caution is also urged for high profile vehicles which may find the gale-force gusts challenging or, in plainer terms, it's tough driving out there.
Additionally, the NWS has hoisted a Red Flag Warning effective from noon through to 7 PM, a critical heads-up for wildfire risks owing to the perfect storm of arid woodlands, low humidity, and tempestuous winds. The warning covers El Paso and Hudspeth counties in Texas, along with the Southwest Deserts, Lowlands, and the Capitan and Sacramento mountains in New Mexico. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended, the NWS cautions.
With El Paso weather currently pegged at an overcast 51°F and humidity striking a low at 17%, conditions seem ripe for the hazards outlined by the NWS. Gusts may roar as fiercely as 60 mph in some spots, so keep a keen eye on those outdoor objects, and maybe give the lines a little slack, for tree limbs could be swept away and a couple of power outages may ensue.
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