high winds and fire risk, LBB 53 mph gust.

[WXBUFFJIM]

A high wind warning is in effect for eastern New Mexico and into west Texas this afternoon and evening. The hight wind warning includes the communities of Lubbock, Dimmitt, Friona, Seminole, Texas and Roswell and Carlsbad, New Mexico. This high wind warning is in effect through today.

A strong upper level disturbance will move through eastern New Mexico and into western Texas. Warm air will pump in from the south ahead of this disturbance. Sustained winds will be from the south from 35-50 mph with gusts over 60 mph in these areas. This will result in wind damage and the potential for blowing dust with 1/2 mile visibility in blowing dust. Lubbock as of 1 PM CST has 2.5 mile visibility and a wind gust to 53 mph. Amarillo has 3 mile visibility and gusts to 46 mph. Gusts of 50-60 mph are expected in these areas this afternoon and evening.

In addition the airmass across especially west and north central Texas is extremely dry with humidity levels expected to be around 10% by later this afternoon. This type of humidity combined with warm temperatures and very strong wind with gusts to 60 mph increases fire risk. Thus a red flag warning is up for west Texas, northern and central Texas and into the panhandle area too. Burning of any kind is not reccommended today across west Texas. To make matters worse, this area is in an extreme drought.

More updates will be given on this wind storm and dust storm later today.

Have a good afternoon.

Jim