National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Severe Weather Threats Across the Plains; Dangerous Heat and Wildfire Concerns for the West; Watching the Tropics

Severe thunderstorms are expected across the Central Plains accompanied by damaging wind gusts and large hail. In addition, heavy rainfall may lead to instances of flash flooding from the Plains and mid-Atlantic regions. The heavy rainfall threat continues across Florida and across the northern Gulf as we monitor a tropical disturbance tracking westward. Critical fire weather for the Great Basin. Read More >

 

March 2, 2008 Martin County Wildfire

 

 

Unseasonably warm temperatures and very dry and windy conditions contributed to critical fire danger across much of the area. 

Winds ahead of the front were sustained near 25 mph with gusts higher than 30 mph, sometimes gusting greater than 40 mph! 

Sustained winds of 45 to 55 mph with gusts to near 75 mph were experienced in the mountains. 

To further complicate things, snow fell across the extreme northern portions of the area and into the mountains.   

Highs on Monday were considerably colder than the recent mild temperatures that have occured across west Texas and southeast New Mexico.