Back-to-Back Pacific Storms to Impact the West Coast; Heavy Snow in the Central Appalachians

Back-to-back powerful Pacific storm systems to impact the Pacific Northwest and northern California through the end of this week with heavy rain, flooding, strong winds, and higher elevation mountain snow. A strong, long-duration atmospheric river will accompany the Pacific storms, bringing excessive rainfall and flash flooding to southwest Oregon and northwest California through the week. Read More >

A strong upper level storm system moved across the desert southwest into west Texas and southeast New Mexico on December 8, 2009. Very strong westerly winds accompanied this upper level storm system which resulted in wind gusts over 100 MPH in the highest elevations of the Guadalupe Mountains with near 90 MPH gusts recorded at Mt. Locke in the Davis Mountains. Farther east into the plains of southeast new Mexico and west Texas, wind gusts in the 60 to 70 MPH range were common, especially along and north of Interstate 10.

There were reports of damage as a result of these very strong wind gusts. A wind farm in the Delaware Mountains sustained significant damage with several blades ripped off turbines and even an entire wind tower blown down. In nearby Pine Springs, there were reports of roofs blown off houses and broken windows. At least two semi trucks were blown over on U.S. Highway 62/180 near Guadalupe Pass. Across the plains, there were a few reports of roofs blown off houses as well as many reports of downed power poles.

Graphic showing peak wind speeds