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Fire Weather Concerns; Record Warmth Spreads

The Plains to the mid-Mississippi Valley continue with warm and dry conditions. Any fires that initiate could spread quickly. The warm temperatures will expand across the Southern Plains into the Southwest where numerous records are expected through the weekend. Meanwhile, a cold front will move southward across the northern Plains and Great Lakes region where some snow will develop this weekend. Read More >

An upper level low pressure system across northwest Texas ushered a strong cold front into west Texas and southeast New Mexico late Wednesday and early Thursday. Very strong north winds behind the cold front spread across the region, especially across the plains. Wind gusts from near 50 mph to just over 60 mph were common for areas along and north of the Interstate 10 corridor.

Graphic showing the location of a strong cold front

This graphic shows the forecast location of a cold front as it moves south through west Texas and southeastern New Mexico.

graphic showing peak wind speeds

This graphic shows the peak wind speeds behind the strong cold front.

Satellite image of a strong low centered near Childress

This image shows a strong low pressure center located near Childress, TX.