NWS Warns of Blowing Dust, Gusty Winds & Extreme Wildfire Danger Thursday

SAN ANGELO – A frontal boundary will move across West Texas around midday Thursday shifting the winds to the West and rapidly increasing which will cause blowing dust and extreme wildfire danger across the area.  

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service office in San Angelo have issued two alerts; a Red Flag Warning for extreme wildfire conditions and a Wind Advisory for gusty, high winds and blowing dust.  

The Wind Advisory goes into effect at noon Thursday and lasts until 9 p.m.  West winds will increase to 25 to 35 mph with frequent gusts above 45 mph.  Gusty winds will blow around loose objects, down tree limbs and damage power lines causing power outages.  

Motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution especially when driving high profile vehicles on north and south roadways. 

The Red Flag Warning means that critical wildfire conditions will occur Thursday afternoon and evening.  Those strong gusty West winds will combine with relative humidities in the single digits and extremely dry fuel to create extremely dangerous wildfire conditions.  Any wildfire that does start will spread rapidly and could become very dangerous to people and property.  The Red Flag Warning also lasts Thursday from noon to 9 p.m.

This is a serious and developing weather situation and residents are urged to pay attention to all updated information throughout the day and evening.