NWS Warns of Damaging Winds, Blowing Dust & Wildfires

SAN ANGELO – The Concho Valley will be ground zero Thursday afternoon and evening for a mixture of dangerously high winds and blowing dust and wildfires and even some severe thunderstorms to the east as a potent storm system blows in from the west. 

A very dynamic upper level low pressure system over Arizona will rapidly ascend on West Central Texas Thursday afternoon.  The first sign will be a trough of low pressure forming a line moving from west to east pushed by very strong southwest winds gusting from 50 to 60 mph carrying blowing dust. 

Thunderstorms, some severe, are expected to develop just east of San Angelo rapidly move eastward while dry, gale force winds and blowing dust will be the rule from San Angelo west. 

The National Weather Service office in San Angelo has issued two warnings; a Red Flag Warning for wildfire danger and a High Wind Warning for damaging winds and blowing dust.  

Update 2 p.m.: The NWS has issued two additional advisories: a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 8 p.m. and a Blowing Dust Advisory until 9 p.m.

The High Wind Warning is in effect from noon to 10 p.m.  West winds of 30 to 40 mph will gust to 50 and possibly 60 mph at times.  Winds this high can blow down trees and cause isolated power outages and blow high profile vehicles off the road.   

Meteorologists are advising residents to stay indoors Thursday afternoon and evening and stay on the lower levels of your home if possible and avoid windows.  It is also a good idea to make sure phones and laptops are fully charged before the winds hit just in case of a power outage. 

The Red Flag Warning is for wildfire danger and is in effect from noon Thursday until midnight. In addition to damaging winds of 30 to 40 mph gusting to 60 mph, the air is extremely dry with humidities in the teens and tinder dry fuel.  Any spark could ignite a wildfire that will spread rapidly out of control.  All outdoor activities that could produce a spark, including cooking and welding, are highly discouraged Thursday afternoon and evening for the duration of the high wind event.  

In addition, severe thunderstorms are possible east of a line from Haskell to Sweetwater to San Angelo to Sonora.  There will be more dust than rain in most places but the main threat will be damaging winds and maybe large hail.  There is a remote possibility of an isolated tornado.  

The dangerous weather event will end by Friday at sunrise and give way to clear skies and seasonal temperatures near 70 degrees.  Winds Friday will still be breezy with northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusty.  

Stay tuned for further weather updates and time critical instructions.