Alert archive / New Mexico / High Wind Warnings in 2026
High Wind Warning 2, NWS El Paso, TX
NWS El Paso, TX issued this high wind warning at Feb 17, 2026, 8:46 PM MST for 4 counties in New Mexico; El Paso County, Texas. It took effect at Feb 18, 2026, 9:00 AM MST. It was in force for 14 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Feb 17, 2026, 8:46 PM MST (03:46 UTC)
- In effect from
- Feb 18, 2026, 9:00 AM MST
- Expired
- Feb 18, 2026, 11:00 PM MST
- In force
- 14 hr
- Issued by
- NWS El Paso, TX
Counties Doña Ana County, NM, Grant County, NM, Otero County, NM, Sierra County, NM, El Paso County, TX
The radar
The El Paso radar (KEPZ), 74 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:47 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
The nearest sounding before it
Albuquerq/Krtlnd, NM (KABQ), launched 00:00Z, 3.8 hours before the alert went out and 282 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 2384 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 119 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 38 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- -51 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
596 WWUS74 KEPZ 180346 NPWEPZ URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM 846 PM MST Tue Feb 17 2026 NMZ415-416-181715- /O.CAN.KEPZ.HW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260218T0600Z/ /O.UPG.KEPZ.HW.A.0002.260218T1900Z-260219T0600Z/ /O.NEW.KEPZ.HW.W.0002.260218T1600Z-260219T0600Z/ Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet-East Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet- Including the cities of Sacramento, Mayhill, Pinon, Apache Summit, Cloudcroft, and Sunspot 846 PM MST Tue Feb 17 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 11 PM MST WEDNESDAY... ...HIGH WIND WARNING FOR TUESDAY IS CANCELLED... * WHAT...Southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected. * WHERE...East Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet and Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet. * WHEN...From 9 AM to 11 PM MST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive. && $$ NMZ426-181715- /O.NEW.KEPZ.HW.W.0002.260218T1600Z-260219T0600Z/ Southern Gila Region Highlands/Black Range- Including the cities of Lake Roberts and Kingston 846 PM MST Tue Feb 17 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 11 PM MST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...West winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected. * WHERE...Southern Gila Region Highlands/Black Range. * WHEN...From 9 AM to 11 PM MST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive. && $$ NMZ427-TXZ419-181715- /O.NEW.KEPZ.HW.W.0002.260218T1800Z-260219T0300Z/ West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands-Eastern/Central El Paso County- Including the cities of White Sands National Park, Chaparral, Fort Bliss, East and Northeast El Paso, White Sands Range Headquarters, and Socorro 846 PM MST Tue Feb 17 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...In New Mexico, West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands. In Texas, Eastern/Central El Paso County. * WHEN...From 11 AM to 8 PM MST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive. && $$ NMZ401-403>411-414-417-425-428-429-TXZ418-420-421-423-181715- /O.NEW.KEPZ.WI.Y.0002.260218T1800Z-260219T0300Z/ Upper Gila River Valley-Southern Gila Foothills/Mimbres Valley- Southwest Desert/Lower Gila River Valley-Lowlands of the Bootheel- Uplands of the Bootheel-Southwest Desert/Mimbres Basin-Eastern Black Range Foothills-Sierra County Lakes-Northern Dona Ana County-Southern Dona Ana County/Mesilla Valley-West Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet-Otero Mesa-Central Grant County/Silver City Area-East Central Tularosa Basin/Alamogordo- Southeast Tularosa Basin-Western El Paso County-Northern Hudspeth Highlands/Hueco Mountains-Salt Basin-Rio Grande Valley of Eastern El Paso/Western Hudspeth Counties- Including the cities of Hatch, Red Rock, Radium Springs, Gila Hot Springs, Vado, Mimbres, Hurley, Antelope Wells, Mountain Park, Tornillo, Orogrande, Mule Creek, Fabens, Las Cruces, Holloman AFB, Truth Or Consequences, Derry, Spaceport, Upper Valley, Hueco Tanks, Cliff, West El Paso, Cornudas, Dell City, Alamogordo, Grant County Airport, Crow Flats, Cloverdale, Hachita, Tularosa, Animas, Columbus, Garfield, Silver City, Hillsboro, Loma Linda, Lordsburg, Salt Flat, Timberon, Mescalero, Fort Hancock, Buckhorn, Winston, Fort Bayard, Deming, Downtown El Paso, Faywood, Virden, and Sunland Park 846 PM MST Tue Feb 17 2026 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected. * WHERE...Portions of south central and southwest New Mexico and southwest Texas. * WHEN...From 11 AM to 8 PM MST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. && $$ For additional information, visit us at http://www.weather.gov/epz KS
4 follow-up statements
561 WWUS74 KEPZ 181333 NPWEPZ URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM 633 AM MST Wed Feb 18 2026 NMZ427-TXZ419-182200- /O.NEW.KEPZ.DU.Y.0003.260218T1800Z-260219T0100Z/ /O.CON.KEPZ.HW.W.0002.260218T1800Z-260219T0300Z/ West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands-Eastern/Central El Paso County- Including the cities of Chaparral, Socorro, Fort Bliss, White Sands Range Headquarters, White Sands National Park, and East and Northeast El Paso 633 AM MST Wed Feb 18 2026 ...BLOWING DUST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM MST THIS EVENING... ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM MST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...For the Blowing Dust Advisory, visibility between one-quarter and one mile in blowing dust expected. For the High Wind Warning, southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...In New Mexico, West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands. In Texas, Eastern/Central El Paso County. * WHEN...For the Blowing Dust Advisory, from 11 AM this morning to 6 PM MST this evening. For the High Wind Warning, from 11 AM this morning to 8 PM MST this evening. * IMPACTS...Hazardous driving conditions due to reduced visibility. Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Persons with respiratory problems should make preparations to stay indoors until the storm passes. Be ready for a sudden drop in visibility to near zero. If you encounter blowing dust or blowing sand on the roadway or see it approaching, pull off the road as far as possible and put your vehicle in park. Turn the lights all the way off and keep foot off the brake pedal. Remember, 'Pull Aside, Stay Alive'. Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive. && $$ NMZ415-416-426-182200- /O.CON.KEPZ.HW.W.0002.260218T1600Z-260219T0600Z/ Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet-East Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet-Southern Gila Region Highlands/Black Range- Including the cities of Sunspot, Mayhill, Apache Summit, Lake Roberts, Kingston, Pinon, Cloudcroft, and Sacramento 633 AM MST Wed Feb 18 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM MST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...West winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 75 mph expected. * WHERE...East Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet, Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet, and Southern Gila Region Highlands/Black Range. * WHEN...Until 11 PM MST this evening. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive. && $$ NMZ404>407-410-411-417-429-TXZ418-420-421-423-182200- /O.NEW.KEPZ.DU.Y.0003.260218T1800Z-260219T0100Z/ /O.CON.KEPZ.WI.Y.0002.260218T1800Z-260219T0300Z/ Southwest Desert/Lower Gila River Valley-Lowlands of the Bootheel- Uplands of the Bootheel-Southwest Desert/Mimbres Basin-Northern Dona Ana County-Southern Dona Ana County/Mesilla Valley-Otero Mesa-Southeast Tularosa Basin-Western El Paso County-Northern Hudspeth Highlands/Hueco Mountains-Salt Basin-Rio Grande Valley of Eastern El Paso/Western Hudspeth Counties- Including the cities of Antelope Wells, Deming, Fort Hancock, Red Rock, Dell City, West El Paso, Vado, Sunland Park, Fabens, Columbus, Crow Flats, Cloverdale, Radium Springs, Upper Valley, Garfield, Las Cruces, Hachita, Hueco Tanks, Hatch, Virden, Cornudas, Salt Flat, Tornillo, Downtown El Paso, Loma Linda, Lordsburg, Animas, and Orogrande 633 AM MST Wed Feb 18 2026 ...BLOWING DUST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM MST THIS EVENING... ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM MST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...For the Blowing Dust Advisory, visibility between one-quarter and one mile in blowing dust expected. For the Wind Advisory, west winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Portions of south central and southwest New Mexico and southwest Texas. * WHEN...For the Blowing Dust Advisory, from 11 AM this morning to 6 PM MST this evening. For the Wind Advisory, from 11 AM this morning to 8 PM MST this evening. * IMPACTS...Hazardous driving conditions due to reduced visibility. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Persons with respiratory problems should make preparations to stay indoors until the storm passes. Be ready for a sudden drop in visibility to near zero. If you encounter blowing dust or blowing sand on the roadway or see it approaching, pull off the road as far as possible and put your vehicle in park. Turn the lights all the way off and keep foot off the brake pedal. Remember, 'Pull Aside, Stay Alive'. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. && $$ NMZ401-403-408-409-414-425-428-182200- /O.CON.KEPZ.WI.Y.0002.260218T1800Z-260219T0300Z/ Upper Gila River Valley-Southern Gila Foothills/Mimbres Valley- Eastern Black Range Foothills-Sierra County Lakes-West Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet-Central Grant County/Silver City Area-East Central Tularosa Basin/Alamogordo- Including the cities of Cliff, Hillsboro, Derry, Holloman AFB, Silver City, Spaceport, Timberon, Gila Hot Springs, Buckhorn, Faywood, Fort Bayard, Tularosa, Mescalero, Mimbres, Hurley, Mule Creek, Mountain Park, Winston, Alamogordo, Grant County Airport, and Truth Or Consequences 633 AM MST Wed Feb 18 2026 ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM MST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected. * WHERE...East Central Tularosa Basin/Alamogordo, Sierra County Lakes, West Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet, Central Grant County/Silver City Area, Eastern Black Range Foothills, Southern Gila Foothills/Mimbres Valley, and Upper Gila River Valley. * WHEN...From 11 AM this morning to 8 PM MST this evening. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. && $$ For additional information, visit us at http://www.weather.gov/epz TSB
752 WWUS74 KEPZ 182129 NPWEPZ URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM 229 PM MST Wed Feb 18 2026 NMZ427-TXZ419-190300- /O.CON.KEPZ.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260219T0300Z/ /O.CON.KEPZ.DU.Y.0003.000000T0000Z-260219T0100Z/ West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands-Eastern/Central El Paso County- Including the cities of Socorro, Fort Bliss, White Sands National Park, Chaparral, White Sands Range Headquarters, and East and Northeast El Paso 229 PM MST Wed Feb 18 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MST THIS EVENING... ...BLOWING DUST ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...In New Mexico, West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands. In Texas, Eastern/Central El Paso County. * WHEN...For the High Wind Warning, until 8 PM MST this evening. For the Blowing Dust Advisory, until 6 PM MST this evening. * IMPACTS...Hazardous driving conditions due to reduced visibility. Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Persons with respiratory problems should make preparations to stay indoors until the storm passes. Be ready for a sudden drop in visibility to near zero. If you encounter blowing dust or blowing sand on the roadway or see it approaching, pull off the road as far as possible and put your vehicle in park. Turn the lights all the way off and keep foot off the brake pedal. Remember, 'Pull Aside, Stay Alive'. Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive. && $$ NMZ415-416-426-190600- /O.CON.KEPZ.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260219T0600Z/ Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet-East Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet-Southern Gila Region Highlands/Black Range- Including the cities of Sacramento, Mayhill, Kingston, Apache Summit, Cloudcroft, Lake Roberts, Pinon, and Sunspot 229 PM MST Wed Feb 18 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM MST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...West winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 75 mph. * WHERE...East Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet, Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet, and Southern Gila Region Highlands/Black Range. * WHEN...Until 11 PM MST this evening. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive. && $$ NMZ404>407-410-411-417-429-TXZ418-420-421-423-190300- /O.CON.KEPZ.DU.Y.0003.000000T0000Z-260219T0100Z/ /O.CON.KEPZ.WI.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-260219T0300Z/ Southwest Desert/Lower Gila River Valley-Lowlands of the Bootheel- Uplands of the Bootheel-Southwest Desert/Mimbres Basin-Northern Dona Ana County-Southern Dona Ana County/Mesilla Valley-Otero Mesa-Southeast Tularosa Basin-Western El Paso County-Northern Hudspeth Highlands/Hueco Mountains-Salt Basin-Rio Grande Valley of Eastern El Paso/Western Hudspeth Counties- Including the cities of Lordsburg, Antelope Wells, Vado, Hachita, Orogrande, Salt Flat, Deming, West El Paso, Virden, Garfield, Sunland Park, Animas, Columbus, Radium Springs, Cornudas, Fort Hancock, Hueco Tanks, Upper Valley, Loma Linda, Crow Flats, Hatch, Cloverdale, Downtown El Paso, Las Cruces, Tornillo, Dell City, Fabens, and Red Rock 229 PM MST Wed Feb 18 2026 ...BLOWING DUST ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MST THIS EVENING... ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...For the Blowing Dust Advisory, visibility between one-quarter and one mile in blowing dust. For the Wind Advisory, west winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. * WHERE...Portions of south central and southwest New Mexico and southwest Texas. * WHEN...For the Blowing Dust Advisory, until 6 PM MST this evening. For the Wind Advisory, until 8 PM MST this evening. * IMPACTS...Hazardous driving conditions due to reduced visibility. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Persons with respiratory problems should make preparations to stay indoors until the storm passes. Be ready for a sudden drop in visibility to near zero. If you encounter blowing dust or blowing sand on the roadway or see it approaching, pull off the road as far as possible and put your vehicle in park. Turn the lights all the way off and keep foot off the brake pedal. Remember, 'Pull Aside, Stay Alive'. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. && $$ NMZ401-403-408-409-414-425-428-190300- /O.CON.KEPZ.WI.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-260219T0300Z/ Upper Gila River Valley-Southern Gila Foothills/Mimbres Valley- Eastern Black Range Foothills-Sierra County Lakes-West Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet-Central Grant County/Silver City Area-East Central Tularosa Basin/Alamogordo- Including the cities of Spaceport, Hurley, Silver City, Gila Hot Springs, Mule Creek, Timberon, Derry, Grant County Airport, Hillsboro, Buckhorn, Mescalero, Fort Bayard, Mimbres, Tularosa, Truth Or Consequences, Cliff, Winston, Holloman AFB, Faywood, Mountain Park, and Alamogordo 229 PM MST Wed Feb 18 2026 ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected. * WHERE...East Central Tularosa Basin/Alamogordo, Sierra County Lakes, West Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet, Central Grant County/Silver City Area, Eastern Black Range Foothills, Southern Gila Foothills/Mimbres Valley, and Upper Gila River Valley. * WHEN...Until 8 PM MST this evening. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. && $$ For additional information, visit us at http://www.weather.gov/epz LR
451 WWUS74 KEPZ 190254 NPWEPZ URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM 754 PM MST Wed Feb 18 2026 NMZ427-TXZ419-190400- /O.EXP.KEPZ.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260219T0300Z/ West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands-Eastern/Central El Paso County- Including the cities of East and Northeast El Paso, White Sands Range Headquarters, Socorro, Fort Bliss, White Sands National Park, and Chaparral 754 PM MST Wed Feb 18 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM MST THIS EVENING... Strong winds have diminished tonight but will continue to stay breezy late this evening. $$ NMZ401-403>411-414-417-425-428-429-TXZ418-420-421-423-190400- /O.EXP.KEPZ.WI.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-260219T0300Z/ Upper Gila River Valley-Southern Gila Foothills/Mimbres Valley- Southwest Desert/Lower Gila River Valley-Lowlands of the Bootheel- Uplands of the Bootheel-Southwest Desert/Mimbres Basin-Eastern Black Range Foothills-Sierra County Lakes-Northern Dona Ana County-Southern Dona Ana County/Mesilla Valley-West Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet-Otero Mesa-Central Grant County/Silver City Area-East Central Tularosa Basin/Alamogordo- Southeast Tularosa Basin-Western El Paso County-Northern Hudspeth Highlands/Hueco Mountains-Salt Basin-Rio Grande Valley of Eastern El Paso/Western Hudspeth Counties- Including the cities of Truth Or Consequences, Faywood, Crow Flats, Mescalero, Lordsburg, Timberon, Cloverdale, Vado, Hueco Tanks, Loma Linda, Winston, Columbus, Mountain Park, Red Rock, Downtown El Paso, Fort Hancock, Spaceport, Virden, Grant County Airport, West El Paso, Holloman AFB, Buckhorn, Derry, Mimbres, Las Cruces, Deming, Tularosa, Alamogordo, Tornillo, Radium Springs, Dell City, Animas, Silver City, Cliff, Hurley, Gila Hot Springs, Garfield, Hachita, Upper Valley, Orogrande, Fabens, Cornudas, Salt Flat, Antelope Wells, Hillsboro, Hatch, Fort Bayard, Sunland Park, and Mule Creek 754 PM MST Wed Feb 18 2026 ...WIND ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM MST THIS EVENING... Winds have diminished tonight but will continue to stay breezy late this evening. $$ NMZ415-416-426-190600- /O.CON.KEPZ.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260219T0600Z/ Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet-East Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet-Southern Gila Region Highlands/Black Range- Including the cities of Lake Roberts, Apache Summit, Pinon, Mayhill, Sacramento, Kingston, Sunspot, and Cloudcroft 754 PM MST Wed Feb 18 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM MST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...West winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 75 mph. * WHERE...East Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet, Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet, and Southern Gila Region Highlands/Black Range. * WHEN...Until 11 PM MST this evening. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive. && $$ For additional information, visit us at http://www.weather.gov/epz KS
562 WWUS74 KEPZ 190546 NPWEPZ URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM 1046 PM MST Wed Feb 18 2026 NMZ415-416-426-190700- /O.EXP.KEPZ.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260219T0600Z/ Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet-East Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet-Southern Gila Region Highlands/Black Range- Including the cities of Lake Roberts, Apache Summit, Pinon, Mayhill, Sacramento, Kingston, Sunspot, and Cloudcroft 1046 PM MST Wed Feb 18 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 11 PM MST THIS EVENING... Breezy to windy conditions to continue through the early morning hours but the strongest of the winds is over. $$ For additional information, visit us at http://www.weather.gov/epz KS
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this high wind warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS El Paso, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before this high wind warning went out at Feb 17, 4:35 PM MST, 4 hours 11 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Updated at 428 PM MST Tue Feb 17 2026
- Windy conditions will prevail through Friday, with a risk of blowing dust across southern New Mexico and far west Texas. This may cause impact travel conditions by reducing visibility on area roadways.
- Critical fire weather conditions are expected Wednesday as strong winds combine with very dry humidity. Outdoor burning is discouraged. Any fires that do start will spread rapidly.
- Drier conditions with near to slightly below normal temperatures for the weekend along with lighter winds.
Area forecast discussion, Feb 17, 4:35 PM MST, 4 hours 11 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service El Paso TX/Santa Teresa NM
435 PM MST Tue Feb 17 2026
...New AVIATION...
.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 428 PM MST Tue Feb 17 2026
- Windy conditions will prevail through Friday, with a risk of
blowing dust across southern New Mexico and far west Texas.
This may cause impact travel conditions by reducing visibility
on area roadways.
- Critical fire weather conditions are expected Wednesday as
strong winds combine with very dry humidity. Outdoor burning is
discouraged. Any fires that do start will spread rapidly.
- Drier conditions with near to slightly below normal
temperatures for the weekend along with lighter winds.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1050 AM MST Tue Feb 17 2026
A series of waves rotating around a mean Western U.S. trough will
keep winds going on a daily basis through Friday. Models have come
into better agreement for Friday with a nice compromise between
the GFS and EC which results in a day similar to today and Wed.
Winds have picked up across the CWA late this morning with some
dust being reported in the usual areas around KDMN and south of
the border. Today things aren't real unstable and some limited
sun, especially out west. Tomorrow looks similar with another
wave, but with a more favorable placement of the surface low and
we will have plenty of sun. Thinking is dust will be more of an
issue tomorrow, but with some rain today out on the Lordsburg
Playa, it may not be much of an issue out there. Looking like
another day with advisory or near advisory winds for the lowlands
and High Wind Warning in the mountains.
For Thursday, looks like another windy day, but pressure gradient
isn't quite lined up as nicely but with good mixing in the
afternoon will see at least 20-30mph across the area. Temperatures
will drop about 5-10 degrees for Thu. NBM temps looked reasonable,
MET guidance looks too cold, especially with the continued zonal
flow and good amount of for much of the CWA. There looks to be
some precip again in the Gila region similar to today where the
moisture gets squeezed out before getting east of the Divide. Snow
levels will be lower with some snow possible down to around
6000ft.
Friday will be the final wave crossing along the CO/NM border.
This setup looks pretty favorable with the surface low around the
OK/TX Panhandles and good timing of the upper trough. Thinking at
this time is that similar highlights to today may be necessary.
For the weekend, upper ridge starts to shift over the Rockies, but
a back door cold front moves in Sat night. This will just bring in
some east winds and keep temperatures a little below normal.
Temperatures will start to warm nicely early next week with winds
not a real big concern, at least for Mon/Tue.
&&
.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 428 PM MST Tue Feb 17 2026
Windy conditions will persist the next couple hours or so but
winds are expected to diminish during the overnight hours to
around 10-12KT at terminals. Another windy day expected tomorrow
afternoon with speeds very similar to what we saw today as well as
more BLDU. KELP will see BLDU tomorrow. With similar wind
direction and wind speeds, we can probably bet that KELP will get
down to 1-2SM tomorrow afternoon. KDMN and KLRU will probably see
more BLDU again tomorrow as well.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 1050 AM MST Tue Feb 17 2026
Windy conditions will continue through Friday with daily speeds of
20-35mph, strongest Wed and Fri. RH's will fluctuate through the
period with Wed looking to be the driest with teens over the
lowlands and 20s and 30s in the mountains. ERC's are still not
very high, so will just hold off on upgrading watch for now. RH's
rise to the 20s over the lowlands Thu with a little drier air for
Fri, but looking to remain above 15%. Another chance for rain/snow
in the Gila Thu into early Fri will help keep the fire risk lower
in this area. Drier air moves in for the weekend and early next
week, but winds will be much less of an issue.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
El Paso 43 70 43 65 / 0 0 0 0
Sierra Blanca 39 70 37 65 / 0 0 0 0
Las Cruces 34 66 36 59 / 0 0 0 0
Alamogordo 35 64 35 61 / 0 0 0 0
Cloudcroft 28 40 24 38 / 0 0 0 0
Truth or Consequences 33 64 36 60 / 0 0 0 0
Silver City 32 52 35 49 / 0 0 20 30
Deming 32 65 37 61 / 0 0 10 10
Lordsburg 32 62 34 57 / 0 0 10 10
West El Paso Metro 40 69 42 64 / 0 0 0 0
Dell City 35 69 37 64 / 0 0 0 0
Fort Hancock 39 74 40 71 / 0 0 0 0
Loma Linda 37 63 37 58 / 0 0 0 0
Fabens 39 72 40 68 / 0 0 0 0
Santa Teresa 36 67 38 63 / 0 0 0 0
White Sands HQ 39 67 41 62 / 0 0 0 0
Jornada Range 31 65 34 60 / 0 0 0 0
Hatch 33 66 37 63 / 0 0 0 0
Columbus 37 68 40 64 / 0 0 0 0
Orogrande 34 66 35 61 / 0 0 0 0
Mayhill 32 56 34 53 / 0 0 0 0
Mescalero 29 54 27 49 / 0 0 0 0
Timberon 30 52 30 48 / 0 0 0 0
Winston 26 54 30 51 / 0 0 10 10
Hillsboro 32 59 34 57 / 0 0 10 10
Spaceport 30 64 33 61 / 0 0 0 0
Lake Roberts 23 50 31 47 / 0 0 20 30
Hurley 28 56 34 52 / 0 0 10 20
Cliff 27 58 32 52 / 0 10 30 30
Mule Creek 25 54 33 49 / 0 20 40 30
Faywood 32 56 35 53 / 0 0 10 10
Animas 32 63 36 60 / 0 0 10 10
Hachita 32 63 35 60 / 0 0 0 0
Antelope Wells 34 64 37 62 / 0 0 0 0
Cloverdale 34 57 35 55 / 0 0 0 10
&&
.EPZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...Wind Advisory until 8 PM MST this evening for Eastern/Central El
Paso County-Northern Hudspeth Highlands/Hueco Mountains-Rio
Grande Valley of Eastern El Paso/Western Hudspeth Counties-
Salt Basin-Western El Paso County.
Fire Weather Watch from Wednesday morning through Wednesday
afternoon for Texas Fire Weather Zone 055 El Paso County-
Texas Fire Weather Zone 056 Hudspeth County.
Blowing Dust Advisory until 5 PM MST this afternoon for
Eastern/Central El Paso County-Northern Hudspeth
Highlands/Hueco Mountains-Rio Grande Valley of Eastern El
Paso/Western Hudspeth Counties-Western El Paso County.
High Wind Warning until 8 PM MST this evening for
Eastern/Central El Paso County.
NM...Wind Advisory until 8 PM MST this evening for Central Grant
County/Silver City Area-East Central Tularosa
Basin/Alamogordo-Eastern Black Range Foothills-Northern
Dona Ana County-Otero Mesa-Sierra County Lakes-Southeast
Tularosa Basin-Southern Dona Ana County/Mesilla Valley-
Southern Gila Foothills/Mimbres Valley-Southern Gila Region
Highlands/Black Range-Southwest Desert/Mimbres Basin-West
Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands-West Slopes Sacramento
Mountains Below 7500 Feet.
Fire Weather Watch from Wednesday morning through Wednesday
afternoon for Capitan and Sacramento Mountains/Lincoln
NF/LNZ- South Central Lowlands and Southern Rio Grande
Valley/BLM/GLZ- Southwest Deserts and Lowlands/Las Cruces
BLM/GLZ.
Blowing Dust Advisory until 5 PM MST this afternoon for East
Central Tularosa Basin/Alamogordo-Otero Mesa-Southeast
Tularosa Basin-Southern Dona Ana County/Mesilla Valley-West
Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands.
High Wind Warning until 8 PM MST this evening for West Central
Tularosa Basin/White Sands.
High Wind Warning until 11 PM MST this evening for East Slopes
Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet-Sacramento Mountains
Above 7500 Feet.
High Wind Watch from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday
evening for East Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500
Feet-Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet.
&&
FORECASTER...37-SlusherThe office that day
Everything else NWS El Paso, TX issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 17, 8:46 PM MST | Wind Advisory | EPZ | Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Otero, Sierra | 23 hr |
| Feb 17, 9:05 PM MST | Red Flag Warning | EPZ | Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Lincoln, Luna, Otero and 1 more | 21 hr |
| Feb 18, 6:33 AM MST | Blowing Dust Advisory | EPZ | Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Otero, Sierra | 11 hr |
| Feb 18, 1:08 PM MST | Dust Storm Warning | EPZ | Grant, Luna | 112 min |
| Feb 18, 1:20 PM MST | Dust Storm Warning | EPZ | Doña Ana, Luna | 115 min |
Nearby
High Wind Warnings in New Mexico, 2026High Wind Warnings in Texas, 2026Every high wind warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.