National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Heat and Fire Weather Concerns for the Center of the Nation; Coastal Impacts Across the East

Excessive heat returns for portions of the Plains today where heat indices will likely climb above the century mark. Furthermore, warm temperatures, strong winds and dry fuels may result in rapid spread of wild fires across the western High Plains today. For the east coast, lingering storm with onshore flow will bring high surf, dangerous rip currents and coastal flooding, especially at high tide. Read More >

 

March 2, 2008 Martin County Wildfire

 

 

Unseasonably warm temperatures and very dry and windy conditions contributed to critical fire danger across much of the area. 

Winds ahead of the front were sustained near 25 mph with gusts higher than 30 mph, sometimes gusting greater than 40 mph! 

Sustained winds of 45 to 55 mph with gusts to near 75 mph were experienced in the mountains. 

To further complicate things, snow fell across the extreme northern portions of the area and into the mountains.   

Highs on Monday were considerably colder than the recent mild temperatures that have occured across west Texas and southeast New Mexico.