Dust Storm in Chaves County Plains, New Mexico

Near zero visibility from blowing dust resulted in the closure of the Roswell Relief Route on the southwest side of Roswell and the closure of State Highway 2 from mile marker 17, Hagerman to mile marker 21, 1 mile north of Greenfield.

The combination of very dry antecedent ground conditions and very dry and strong southwesterly flow ahead of a closed upper low over the Great Basin region brought widespread high wind gusts and blowing dust across mainly central and eastern NM during the afternoon and early evening of April 27th. Peak wind gusts of 58 to 80 mph were observed across the area. Blowing dust causing near zero visibility resulted in the closure of the Roswell Relief Route, as well as the closure of NM Highway 2 at Hagerman, NM. The high winds and low humidity resulted in extreme critical fire weather conditions. Unfortunately two fires broke out, the Otero and Balsam Fires near Socorro and Grants, NM respectively. The Balsam Fire destroyed 6 structures and 8 outbuildings. Conditions improved during the evening as winds began to subside.