Alert archive / Texas / High Wind Warnings in 2026

High Wind Warning 12, NWS Midland/Odessa, TX

March 31, 2026Culberson County, Texas; Eddy County, New Mexico

NWS Midland/Odessa, TX issued this high wind warning at Mar 31, 2026, 11:04 AM CDT for Culberson County, Texas; Eddy County, New Mexico. It took effect at Apr 1, 2026, 1:00 PM CDT. It was in force for 10 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
Mar 31, 2026, 11:04 AM CDT (16:04 UTC)
In effect from
Apr 1, 2026, 1:00 PM CDT
Expired
Apr 1, 2026, 11:00 PM CDT
In force
10 hr
Issued by
NWS Midland/Odessa, TX

Counties Eddy County, NM, Culberson County, TX

The radar

The Holloman AFB radar (KHDX), 203 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 16:03 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

Midland Regional, TX (KMAF), launched 12:00Z, 4.1 hours before the alert went out and 209 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Midland Regional, TX at 12:00Z on 2026-03-31Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 239 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Midland Regional, TX at 12:00Z on 2026-03-31The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 250 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
239 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-408 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1905 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
15 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
250 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
243 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

937 
WWUS74 KMAF 311604
NPWMAF

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
1004 AM MDT Tue Mar 31 2026

NMZ027-TXZ270-271-020600-
/O.UPG.KMAF.HW.A.0008.260401T1600Z-260402T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KMAF.HW.W.0012.260401T1600Z-260402T0600Z/
Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County-Guadalupe Mountains Above
7000 Feet-Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains-
Including the cities of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Pine
Springs, and Queen
1004 AM MDT Tue Mar 31 2026 /1104 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026/

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM MDT /11 AM CDT/ WEDNESDAY 
TO MIDNIGHT MDT /1 AM CDT/ WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph expected.

* WHERE...Guadalupe Mountains of west Texas and Southeast New Mexico.

* WHEN...From 10 AM MDT /11 AM CDT/ Wednesday to midnight MDT /1 AM 
  CDT/ Wednesday Night.

* IMPACTS...Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles like campers, vans, and tractor trailers. Gusty winds may 
  blow around unsecured objects.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Delay travel through Guadalupe Pass or find another route, if 
possible.

Use caution when driving as blowing dust may reduce visibility.

&&

$$

94
2 follow-up statements
195 
WWUS74 KMAF 010205
NPWMAF

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
905 PM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026

TXZ273-020400-
/O.EXB.KMAF.HW.W.0012.260401T1800Z-260402T0400Z/
Eastern Culberson-
905 PM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 11 PM CDT WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected.

* WHERE...Eastern Culberson County.

* WHEN...From 1 PM to 11 PM CDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles like campers, vans, and tractor trailers. Severe 
  turbulence near the mountains will be hazardous for low flying 
  light aircraft.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds will be particularly hazardous at higher elevations where the 
strongest winds are likely to occur. Be especially careful driving 
in these mountainous areas. People driving high-profile vehicles 
should strongly consider postponing travel in these areas until the 
winds subside.

Delay travel through Guadalupe Pass or find another route, if 
possible.

Use caution if flying low near the mountains as severe turbulence is 
possible.

Use caution when driving as blowing dust may reduce visibility.

&&

$$

NMZ027-TXZ270-271-020400-
/O.EXT.KMAF.HW.W.0012.260401T1800Z-260402T0400Z/
Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County-Guadalupe Mountains Above
7000 Feet-Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains-
Including the cities of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Pine
Springs, and Queen
805 PM MDT Tue Mar 31 2026 /905 PM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026/

...HIGH WIND WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM NOON MDT /1 PM CDT/ TO 10 PM 
MDT /11 PM CDT/ WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...West winds 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 70 mph expected.

* WHERE...Guadalupe Mountains of west Texas and Southeast New Mexico.

* WHEN...From noon MDT /1 PM CDT/ to 10 PM MDT /11 PM CDT/ Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles like campers, vans, and tractor trailers. Severe 
  turbulence near the mountains will be hazardous for low flying 
  light aircraft.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds will be particularly hazardous at higher elevations where the 
strongest winds are likely to occur. Be especially careful driving 
in these mountainous areas. People driving high-profile vehicles 
should strongly consider postponing travel in these areas until the 
winds subside.

Delay travel through Guadalupe Pass or find another route, if 
possible.

Use caution if flying low near the mountains as severe turbulence is 
possible.

Use caution when driving as blowing dust may reduce visibility.

&&

$$

NMZ028-029-033-TXZ272-020400-
/O.NEW.KMAF.WI.Y.0010.260401T1800Z-260402T0400Z/
Eddy County Plains-Northern Lea-Central Lea-Van Horn and Highway
54 Corridor-
Including the cities of Artesia, Carlsbad, Hobbs, Lovington, Van
Horn, Tatum, and Carlsbad Caverns NP
805 PM MDT Tue Mar 31 2026 /905 PM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026/

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON MDT /1 PM CDT/ TO 10 PM MDT /11 
PM CDT/ WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...In New Mexico, Central Lea and Northern Lea Counties, and 
  Eddy County Plains. In Texas, Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor.

* WHEN...From noon MDT /1 PM CDT/ to 10 PM MDT /11 PM CDT/ Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds may blow around unsecured objects.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high 
profile vehicles. Use extra caution and keep both hands on the 
steering wheel.

&&

$$

DeBerry
011 
WWUS74 KMAF 010542
NPWMAF

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
1142 PM MDT Tue Mar 31 2026

NMZ027-TXZ270-271-273-012200-
/O.CON.KMAF.HW.W.0012.260401T1800Z-260402T0400Z/
Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County-Guadalupe Mountains Above
7000 Feet-Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains-Eastern Culberson-
Including the cities of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Queen,
and Pine Springs
1142 PM MDT Tue Mar 31 2026 /1242 AM CDT Wed Apr 1 2026/

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON MDT /1 PM CDT/ TO 
10 PM MDT /11 PM CDT/ WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...West winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected.

* WHERE...Guadalupe Mountains of west Texas and Southeast New 
  Mexico, and Eastern Culberson.

* WHEN...From noon MDT /1 PM CDT/ to 10 PM MDT /11 PM CDT/ Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles like campers, vans, and tractor trailers. Severe 
  turbulence near the mountains will be hazardous for low flying 
  light aircraft.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds will be particularly hazardous at higher elevations where the 
strongest winds are likely to occur. Be especially careful driving 
in these mountainous areas. People driving high-profile vehicles 
should strongly consider postponing travel in these areas until the 
winds subside.

Delay travel through Guadalupe Pass or find another route, if 
possible.

Use caution if flying low near the mountains as severe turbulence is 
possible.

Use caution when driving as blowing dust may reduce visibility.

&&

$$

NMZ034-TXZ059-012200-
/O.EXA.KMAF.WI.Y.0010.260401T1800Z-260402T0400Z/
Southern Lea-Loving-
Including the cities of Eunice, Jal, and Mentone
1142 PM MDT Tue Mar 31 2026 /1242 AM CDT Wed Apr 1 2026/

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON MDT /1 PM CDT/ TO 10 PM MDT /11 
PM CDT/ WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected.

* WHERE...In New Mexico, Southern Lea County. In Texas, Loving 
  County.

* WHEN...From noon MDT /1 PM CDT/ to 10 PM MDT /11 PM CDT/ Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds may blow around unsecured objects.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high 
profile vehicles. Use extra caution and keep both hands on the 
steering wheel.

Use caution when driving as blowing dust may reduce visibility.

&&

$$

NMZ028-029-033-TXZ272-012200-
/O.CON.KMAF.WI.Y.0010.260401T1800Z-260402T0400Z/
Eddy County Plains-Northern Lea-Central Lea-Van Horn and Highway
54 Corridor-
Including the cities of Lovington, Van Horn, Carlsbad, Carlsbad
Caverns NP, Hobbs, Tatum, and Artesia
1142 PM MDT Tue Mar 31 2026 /1242 AM CDT Wed Apr 1 2026/

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON MDT /1 PM CDT/ TO 10 PM 
MDT /11 PM CDT/ WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...In New Mexico, Central Lea and Northern Lea Counties, and 
  Eddy County Plains. In Texas, Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor.

* WHEN...From noon MDT /1 PM CDT/ to 10 PM MDT /11 PM CDT/ Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds may blow around unsecured objects.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high 
profile vehicles. Use extra caution and keep both hands on the 
steering wheel.

Use caution when driving as blowing dust may reduce visibility.

&&

$$

Lopez

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 Midland/Odessa, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before this high wind warning went out at Mar 31, 6:36 AM CDT, 4 hours 28 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Updated at 630 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026
  • Low (10-20%) rain chances over the eastern Permian Basin and Lower Trans Pecos this afternoon. Shower/storm chances increase Wednesday afternoon over the Permian Basin and Lower Trans Pecos. Some storms may be strong to severe.
  • Gusty winds and dry fuels lead to increased fire weather concerns Wednesday afternoon and evening. High winds are expected in the Guadalupe/Delaware Mountains Wednesday as well.
  • Shower and thunderstorm chances increase yet again Friday afternoon into Saturday for the Permian Basin and Lower Trans- Pecos. A few storms will be capable of becoming strong to severe.
Area forecast discussion, Mar 31, 6:36 AM CDT, 4 hours 28 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
636 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 630 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026

- Low (10-20%) rain chances over the eastern Permian Basin and
  Lower Trans Pecos this afternoon. Shower/storm chances increase
  Wednesday afternoon over the Permian Basin and Lower Trans
  Pecos. Some storms may be strong to severe.

- Gusty winds and dry fuels lead to increased fire weather
  concerns Wednesday afternoon and evening. High winds are
  expected in the Guadalupe/Delaware Mountains Wednesday as well.

- Shower and thunderstorm chances increase yet again Friday
  afternoon into Saturday for the Permian Basin and Lower Trans-
  Pecos. A few storms will be capable of becoming strong to
  severe.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Today through Wednesday afternoon)
Issued at 237 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026

A low-amplitude shortwave trough is making its way toward our region
at the moment. Meanwhile, a lee trough currently extends from the
central Great Plains down toward just west of the Big Bend, with a
dryline oriented northeast to southwest. By this afternoon, this
feature is progged to shift eastward to roughly bisect our CWA in an
east-west manner. The dryline will serve as a focal point for low
(10-20%) chances of isolated shower/storm activity this afternoon
over the eastern Permian Basin and the Lower Trans Pecos. Best
(~20%) odds look to be over the Stockton Plateau and the
northeastern Permian Basin. A storm or two may be strong over these
areas, producing frequent lighting and gusty winds. Rain chances
then diminish and shift northeastward during the evening. This
afternoon, highs are forecast to top out in the upper 80s to low 90s
across the region. Tuesday night, a cold front attempts to drop into
the Texas Panhandle, though looks to become diffuse within the
Panhandle by early Wednesday morning. This being the case,
temperatures Tuesday night are forecast to fall to the 50s and 60s,
with 60s being more prominent.

Wednesday, another upper trough translates across the Desert
Southwest toward the Great Plains, approaching the western fringes
of our area by Wednesday afternoon. The jet max associated with this
system will aid in producing breezy to strong southwest/westerly
winds across our region. The strongest winds look to impact the
Guadalupe/Delaware Mountains late Wednesday morning through
Wednesday evening. As such, a High Wind Watch is in effect for the
mountains during this time frame. Winds approaching Advisory
criteria are likely over the southeast New Mexico plains and higher
terrain in west Texas. Areas where winds are strongest may also
experience reductions to visibility due to blowing dust.
Furthermore, a dryline is expected to sharpen up again within the
eastern portions of our region Wednesday afternoon. Given strong
winds and dry conditions west of the dryline, fire weather concerns
increase Wednesday afternoon, prompting a Fire Weather Watch for the
western half of our area. Aside from wind and fire hazards, those
east of the dryline are expected to see isolated to widely scattered
shower/storm activity Wednesday afternoon, with the dryline again
serving as a focal point for development. Low (10-30%) rain chances
are forecast from the Permian Basin down through the Lower Trans
Pecos, with best (20-30%) odds exist within the eastern Permian
Basin and the Lower Trans Pecos. A couple of these storms may be
strong to severe, with damaging winds and large hail being the main
hazards. Models show storm activity expanding in coverage and moving
east of our region through the evening, eventually consolidating
into a line as a Pac front sweeps through. More details on how this
evolves in the Long Term discussion. Otherwise, temperatures
Wednesday afternoon reach the 80s to near 90.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Wednesday night through Monday)
Issued at 237 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026

Shower and thunderstorm coverage expands as activity moves towards
the eastern edge of our area Wednesday night. The highest chances
(40-70%) are reserved for the far eastern Permian Basin and the
Lower Trans-Pecos. By late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning,
the Pacific front pushes convection (and the associated severe
threat) east beyond our area, and gusty winds gradually diminish.
Thursday looks much drier, and temperatures remain warm across the
region (mainly 80s and low 90s, with some upper 70s in the higher
terrain). However, by Friday moisture filters back into mainly
eastern portions of the area behind southerly winds.

Friday, an upper-level trough begins making its way across the
Plains. West Texas and southeast New Mexico are currently expected
to remain on the southern edge of this trough. Nevertheless, pulses
within the flow aloft will interact with increasing moisture east of
the sharpening dryline, resulting in the development of showers and
thunderstorms again on Friday and into Saturday. Much like
Wednesday, the highest chances (which are generally in the 20-40%
range) would be for the Permian Basin and Lower Trans-Pecos. Medium-
to-Long Range guidance indicates instability and shear will both be
on the rise Friday into Saturday as well. As a result, we will be
keeping a close eye on the severe weather potential for both of
these days. By Saturday morning, a front pushes southward into west
Texas and southeast New Mexico. This pushes rain chances farther
south and brings much cooler temperatures across the region. Highs
in the upper 60s and low-to-mid 70s look to become commonplace by
the weekend and into early next week.

Sprang

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 630 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026

VFR conditions prevail through the period. Winds become westerly
and southwesterly by this afternoon. With the redevelopment of the
LLJ this evening, southerly winds will become breezy.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 237 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026

Min RHs once again drop below 15% today across much of southeast New
Mexico and west Texas (save easternmost portions of the area).
Nevertheless, winds generally remain light, which will limit fire
weather concerns today. However, by Wednesday a developing surface
low yields stronger winds, especially across southeast New Mexico,
the Upper Trans-Pecos, and in/around the higher terrain. Fuels
continue to remain very dry across the area as well. The potential
caveat for fire weather Wednesday is min RHs. Relative humidity
drops to around 15-20% across western portions of the area (higher
for eastern portions). These RHs are fairly borderline. That being
said, the strengthening westerly winds, coupled with the dry fuels,
lead to increased fire weather concerns Wednesday afternoon and
evening. Another concern will be the potential for thunderstorms
Wednesday afternoon and evening. Should thunderstorms develop over
western portions of the area, lightning starts and gusty/erratic
winds associated with storms would also be possible. Given these
factors, have gone ahead and issued a Fire Weather Watch Wednesday
afternoon and evening for southeast New Mexico, the Upper Trans-
Pecos, Gaines County, and the Guadalupe/Delaware and Davis Mountains
(along with surrounding zones). Elevated to Near-Critical conditions
may stick around Thursday as well as drier air filters back into the
area following a front Wednesday night (though winds decrease
relative to Wednesday's).

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Big Spring               92  62  90  56 /  10  10  20  50
Carlsbad                 91  60  85  54 /   0   0  10  10
Dryden                   91  62  91  62 /  10   0  20  60
Fort Stockton            93  63  90  60 /  20  10  10  30
Guadalupe Pass           80  58  75  52 /   0   0  10  10
Hobbs                    90  54  83  50 /   0   0  10  20
Marfa                    85  50  81  46 /  10   0  10  20
Midland Intl Airport     92  62  88  57 /  10  10  20  30
Odessa                   92  62  88  57 /  10  10  10  30
Wink                     92  59  88  54 /   0   0  10  20

&&

.MAF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...High Wind Watch from Wednesday morning through late Wednesday
     night for Guadalupe Mountains Above 7000 Feet-Guadalupe and
     Delaware Mountains.

     Fire Weather Watch from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday
     evening for Chinati Mountains-Davis Mountains-Davis
     Mountains Foothills-Eastern Culberson-Gaines-Guadalupe
     Mountains Above 7000 Feet-Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains-
     Loving-Marfa Plateau-Presidio Valley-Reeves County Plains-
     Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor.

NM...High Wind Watch from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening
     for Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County.

     Fire Weather Watch from Wednesday morning through Wednesday
     evening for Chaves Plains-Eddy Plains-Lea-Sacramento
     Foothills and Guadalupe Mountains.

&&

SHORT TERM...95
LONG TERM....13
AVIATION...95

The office that day

Everything else NWS Midland/Odessa, TX issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 30, 8:05 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAF25 min
Mar 31, 1:19 AM CDTHigh Wind WatchMAFCulberson10 hr
Mar 31, 1:52 AM CDTFire Weather WatchMAFBrewster, Culberson, Gaines, Jeff Davis, Loving, Presidio and 1 more24 hr
Mar 31, 4:35 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFTerrell40 min

Nearby

High Wind Warnings in Texas, 2026High Wind Warnings in New Mexico, 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.