Eastern New Mexico and West Texas will escape a potent storm system'slow-elevation snow and severe thunderstorms on Sunday, but not its potentiallydamaging winds and resultant high fire danger.Residents across eastern New Mexico and West Texas should brace for wind gustsof 40 to 60 mph on Sunday. There could be locally higher gusts, while sustainedwinds will top 30 mph for several hours during the midday and afternoon.
Cities subject to these powerful winds include Tucumcari, Roswell, Carlsbad andLas Cruces in New Mexico and Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland and El Paso inTexas.
The high wind danger will even expand to the Oklahoma panhandle andsouthwestern Kansas in the afternoon. Guymon, Okla., lies within this zone.
The strongest winds will not target Albuquerque on Sunday. Still, the citywill have to endure occasional gusts to 40 mph.
The impending powerful winds over eastern New Mexico and West Texas willcomplete the recipe for an extremely high fire danger. The other ingredients,tinder dry vegetation and very low relative humidity, are already in place.
Sunday's winds may not only rapidly spread wildfires, but could also beresponsible for igniting some blazes. Such fires could start if the gusty windsdown a power line and sparks fly.
The winds are also capable of causing damage to trees, as well as to theexterior of some homes and businesses.
Semi-trucks and campers could get overturned or steered off roadways by thewinds. Even drivers of smaller trucks and cars will feel the winds tug on theirvehicles.
Wind-whipped dust is a danger that all motorists could face on Sunday.
