Dust Storm — Southern Lea County, New Mexico

2025-03-14 · Southern Lea County, New Mexico

Event narrative

New Mexico Highway 128 was closed west of Jal due to blowing dust, which resulted in near zero visibility. Wind gusts between 60 and 70 mph were observed in the area.

Wider weather episode

A broad western United States trough and an intense surface low pressure over the central Great Plains resulted in westerly high winds and blowing dust over a large portion of Southeast New Mexico and West Texas.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1242976. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.