Las Cruces relatively calm as winds blow through central U.S.
Leah RomeroLAS CRUCES – As high winds ravage much of the central U.S. Wednesday, it’s just another breezy day in Doña Ana County.
According to National Weather Service Meteorologist Anthony Brown, Las Cruces had already experienced its peak winds of about 15 to 20 miles per hour before noon. Gusts were slightly higher along the mesas.
Make sure your holiday decorations are secured, otherwise this system will not be a “significant event” for Las Cruces.
“It's just another day in the desert here,” Brown said.
San Augustin Pass along U.S. 70 — notorious for clocking severe wind speeds — peaked with a 72-mile-per-hour gust around 6:15 a.m.
Wind speeds increase as you travel north in the state, especially around Cloudcroft, Ruidoso and the Lincoln National Forest. Brown said there is a high wind advisory in effect in these areas until 6 p.m. Wednesday evening. It is also likely to be breezy overnight. In Ruidoso, gusts peaked at 68 miles per hour around 5:15 a.m.
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This weather system is also bringing with it snow to northern New Mexico and fire conditions to the high plains.
Las Cruces will see highs in the low 60s and 50s going into the weekend. Another cold front will move into the area Saturday, Brown said, possibly bring freezing temperatures and a slight chance for rain. El Paso and the borderland will have a better chance for a downpour.
Next week, temperatures are expected to return to above seasonal norms.
Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, LRomero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on Twitter.