...POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WIND GUSTS MONDAY... .An upper level low pressure system crossing Colorado will steer the jet stream over New Mexico on Monday with very strong southwest and west winds. The strongest winds are expected in the south central mountains, including Ruidoso, where gusts up to 70 mph are possible. The west central and southwest mountains, including Gallup, may experience gusts around 60 mph. Winds of this magnitude are capable of downing power lines and trees, and damaging weak structures. Areas of blowing dust, and very strong crosswinds, will make driving hazardous with periods of visibility reduction in dust prone locations. The strongest winds will impact the western mountains around mid day, but not until the afternoon in the south central mountains where strong winds will linger into the evening. ...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING... The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a High Wind Watch, which is in effect from Monday morning through Monday evening. * LOCATION...The west central, southwest and south central mountains, west central plateau, southwest Chaves County and eastern Lincoln County, including Gallup and Ruidoso. * WINDS...Southwest at 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph, except up to 70 mph in the south central mountains. In the west central mountains winds will shift out of the west late in the day. * TIMING...Strong winds will develop early Monday morning, peaking in strength around mid day in the western mountains, but not until the afternoon in the south central mountains. Wind speeds will weaken early Monday evening across western areas, but not until mid-to-late evening in the south central mountains. * VISIBILITY...Dropping below one half mile at times in dust prone locations. * LOCAL IMPACTS...Dangerous crosswinds will develop on northwest- to-southeast oriented roads. Some power lines, trees and weak structures may be damaged or collapse. Light and unsecured objects may become airborne.
