The dust was as bad today as expected, and Good Friday will bring stronger winds and another near total brown-out from dust. Southern New Mexico has been upgraded to a Dust Storm Warning, the highest level of dust warning with visibility under 1/4 mile. I-10 between Las Cruces and Deming has been shut down for safety. Winds in El Paso are likely to peak by 8 PM, never fully dying down overnight and kicking into a higher gear on Good Friday. Here’s your exclusive 9-Hour Forecast:
TONIGHT: KTSM has issued a Weather Authority Alert due to powerful winds and blowing dust today, Friday, and Saturday. A Wind Advisory and a Blowing Dust Advisory are posted until 8 PM. The SW winds will be strongest during the evening hours, will cause a brown-out of dust, and will gust near 60 mph. The low will be 63.
FORECAST: Good Friday will bring potentially stronger winds than those on Thursday. The SW-West winds will gust near 65 mph, producing a brown-out of dust and reduced visibility. A Wind Advisory and a Blowing Dust Advisory are posted from 11 AM to 8 PM. Consider this carefully if considering making the pilgrimage up Mt. Cristo Rey because the winds may be gusty even in the morning. Friday’s high: 82. Saturday will be partly cloudy with gusty winds near 55 mph. A cold front blows through dropping the high to 69, though it will feel colder at times in the wind. Expect another afternoon brown-out from dust. By Saturday evening, the winds will start to die down and the dust will settle. After a horrible stretch of windy, dusty days, we can look forward to Easter Sunday. It will be gorgeous with sunshine, light winds, and a high of 78. The NW winds will range from 5-15 mph. Monday will be sunny with warmer breezes and a high of 85. Tuesday will be sunny with moderate winds (a very slight haze) and a high of 87.
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