Critical Fire Weather Conditions in the Plains; Heavy Snow in the Sierra and Northern Rockies

Gusty winds and warm, very dry conditions will lead to a Critical Risk of fire weather across much of the High Plains through Thursday. A Pacific storm system will bring strong winds and precipitation from the Pacific Northwest to the Northern Rockies, with heavy mountain snow in the Sierra-Nevada and northern Rockies. Heavy snow will continue in the northern Rockies on Thursday. Read More >

A strong upper level storm system moved across the desert southwest into west Texas and southeast New Mexico on December 8, 2009. Very strong westerly winds accompanied this upper level storm system which resulted in wind gusts over 100 MPH in the highest elevations of the Guadalupe Mountains with near 90 MPH gusts recorded at Mt. Locke in the Davis Mountains. Farther east into the plains of southeast new Mexico and west Texas, wind gusts in the 60 to 70 MPH range were common, especially along and north of Interstate 10.

There were reports of damage as a result of these very strong wind gusts. A wind farm in the Delaware Mountains sustained significant damage with several blades ripped off turbines and even an entire wind tower blown down. In nearby Pine Springs, there were reports of roofs blown off houses and broken windows. At least two semi trucks were blown over on U.S. Highway 62/180 near Guadalupe Pass. Across the plains, there were a few reports of roofs blown off houses as well as many reports of downed power poles.

Graphic showing peak wind speeds

Graphic showing an upper level storm system over the desert southwest

Photos of damage to a wind farm in the Delaware Mountains

photos of damage to a wind farm in the Delaware Mountains

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Critical Fire Weather Conditions in the Plains; Heavy Snow in the Sierra and Northern Rockies

Widespread High Winds