Full Notification

Power outages, downed or damaged trees, and extremely difficult travel conditions are possible on Wednesday. Westerly winds will rapidly increase near or shortly after sunrise and continue to increase through mid day for most areas. The strongest winds are expected along and east of the central mountain chain where gusts over 75 mph are possible. Far northeast New Mexico will see a shift in wind direction to northwest winds as a backdoor cold front enters the area during the mid afternoon. Winds areawide could easily toss outdoor furniture, or blow over commercial vehicles. Winds will subside near or shortly after sunset for most areas, but will persist well into the evening across northeast New Mexico. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a High Wind Warning, which is in effect from 6 AM to 9 PM MDT Wednesday. The High Wind Watch is no longer in effect.

* LOCATION...West Central Mountains, West Central Highlands, Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Upper Tularosa Valley, Far Northeast Highlands, Northeast Highlands, Harding County, Eastern San Miguel County, Guadalupe County, Quay County, Curry County, Roosevelt County, De Baca County, Chaves County Plains,and Southwest Chaves County in New Mexico.

* WINDS...West winds sustained at 35 to 50 mph with gusts between 55 and 80 mph Wednesday. The highest gusts will be found in eastern New Mexico.

* TIMING...Winds will rapidly increase near or shortly after sunrise Wednesday, and will continue to increase and peak around mid day. Winds will slowly diminish around sunset.

* VISIBILITY...Due to rainfall expected through Tuesday, widespread visibility restrictions are not expected however blowing dust is still possible.

* LOCAL IMPACTS...Dangerous high winds Wednesday may cause power outages, broken tree limbs or downed trees, and could also loft lightweight outdoor furniture, including trampolines. Cross winds could have severe consequences for commercial vehicles on north- south oriented roadways.

* AFFECTED AREAS: MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY/ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA ... ROOSEVELT COUNTY ... LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY ... EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY ... HARDING COUNTY ... DE BACA COUNTY ... GUADALUPE COUNTY ... QUAY COUNTY ... CURRY COUNTY ... CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS ... SOUTHWEST CHAVES COUNTY ... UPPER TULAROSA VALLEY ... WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ... FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS ... NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS ... WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS

Instructions:

Remember, A High Wind Warning means damaging winds are imminent or highly likely. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more can lead to property damage.