National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain in the Mississippi Valley; Fire Weather Concerns in the Southern High Plains

Severe thunderstorms and the threat for excessive rainfall will move into the mid-Mississippi and lower Ohio Valleys today. There is potential for a few strong tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, large hail, and scattered flash flooding. Low humidity and windy conditions will continue to produce elevated to critical fire weather conditions across the southern High Plains into midweek. 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.