Full Notification

A series of storm systems passing to the north will steer a strong jet stream over northern and central New Mexico Tuesday. A potent surface trough will also develop in the lee of the southern Rockies, where high temperatures will soar up to 12 degrees above 30-year averages. As a result, west wind gusts are likely to peak from 45 to 60 mph across the forecast area. The strongest gusts will occur during mid-to-late afternoon, favoring the mountains east of the continental divide, as well as northeast and east central parts of the state. Due to ongoing drought conditions, blowing dust will make driving dangerous in dust- prone, lower-elevation locations, where the visibility may drop near zero at times in the afternoon and early evening. The most intense blowing dust is expected east of the central mountain chain, including portions of I-25 and I-40. Further, crosswinds will make driving hazardous on north-to-south oriented roads, and critical fire weather conditons are expected along and east of I-25. Elevated fire weather conditions are forecast further west. Make plans to secure loose objects in advance, so they don't blow away on Tuesday. In addition, motorists and others with outdoor plans should monitor the latest forecasts, Watches, Warnings, and Advisories for updates on this potentially dangerous wind storm.

* AFFECTED AREAS: NORTHWEST PLATEAU ... CHUSKA MOUNTAINS ... FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS ... NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS ... WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU ... WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS ... WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ... SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS ... SAN FRANCISCO RIVER VALLEY ... TUSAS MOUNTAINS INCLUDING CHAMA ... JEMEZ MOUNTAINS ... GLORIETA MESA INCLUDING GLORIETA PASS ... NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ... SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ... EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ... UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY ... ESPANOLA VALLEY ... SANTA FE METRO AREA ... MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY/ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA ... LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY ... SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS INCLUDING EDGEWOOD ... ESTANCIA VALLEY ... CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ... SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ... UPPER TULAROSA VALLEY ... SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS ... JOHNSON AND BARTLETT MESAS INCLUDING RATON PASS ... FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS ... NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS ... UNION COUNTY ... HARDING COUNTY ... EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY ... GUADALUPE COUNTY ... QUAY COUNTY ... CURRY COUNTY ... ROOSEVELT COUNTY ... DE BACA COUNTY ... CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS ... EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY ... SOUTHWEST CHAVES COUNTY ... SAN AGUSTIN PLAINS AND ADJACENT LOWLANDS