Amarillo, Texas – Drivers across the Texas Panhandle and parts of eastern New Mexico could lose visibility in seconds this afternoon as wind gusts near 70 mph whip up widespread blowing dust through sunset.
According to the National Weather Service offices in Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland and El Paso, Blowing Dust Advisories and High Wind Warnings remain in effect across much of West Texas, the Panhandle and southern New Mexico. Visibility may drop between one-quarter mile and one mile, with sudden reductions to near zero possible. West to southwest winds are sustained between 30 and 45 mph, with peak gusts ranging from 55 to 70 mph.
Communities including Amarillo, Lubbock, Plainview, Hereford, Dalhart, El Paso and Carlsbad are under wind alerts. Open stretches of I-40, I-27, U.S. 287 and Highway 54 are especially vulnerable to crosswinds and blowing dirt from nearby fields. Power outages are possible as tree limbs and lines are damaged.
Anyone encountering blowing dust should pull completely off the roadway, turn off all lights and keep their foot off the brake pedal. High-profile vehicles face the greatest rollover risk.
Conditions are expected to gradually improve after 7 to 9 p.m., though additional wind advisories are already posted for parts of the region Wednesday.
