A passing upper trough resulted in high winds in the Guadalupe Mountains, and over portions of the southeastern New Mexico plains.
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Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS MAF wrote it up.
A passing upper trough resulted in high winds in the Guadalupe Mountains, and over portions of the southeastern New Mexico plains.
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Mar 28, 1:03 PM MST, 2 hours 52 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
303 PM CDT Tue Mar 28 2017
.DISCUSSION...
Active weather pattern is expected through this evening as a
strong upper level storm system tracks through New Mexico. Strong
lift and instability ahead of the upper low and dryline/cold front
will produce thunderstorms across portions of southeast New Mexico
near the upper low, and especially across the central and eastern
portions of the Permian Basin and Lower Trans Pecos ahead of the
dryline/cold front. Some of the storms will be severe the remainder
of this afternoon and this evening in the eastern Permian Basin
ahead of the dryline and cold front as strong instability and lift
interact with a strongly sheared atmosphere. In addition, winds
will increase significantly across the mountains and the plains
immediate adjacent to the mountains behind a dryline surge. Will
continue the High Wind Warning through 8 pm MDT for the Guadalupe
Mountains and the Wind Advisory for the southeast New Mexico
Plains, Upper Trans Pecos, Van Horn Highway 54 Corridor, Davis
Mountains and Marfa Plateau.
Conditions should improve significantly after midnight as the dry
line/cold front moves into central texas and winds diminish with
nocturnal cooling.
The upper low is forecast to track slowly across the Texas and
Oklahoma Panhandles on Wednesday. Much cooler and below normal
temperatures are expected across southeast New Mexico and much
of west Texas behind the cold front. There will also be a chance
of wraparound cyclonic showers across southeast New Mexico and the
northern and central Permian Basin associated with the upper low.
It will be windy again across the region and Wind Advisories will
probably be needed across portions of the forecast area.
Beyond Wednesday above normal temperatures are expected to resume
again. Another Pacific storm system will approach the region
Friday and will only slowly move through the forecast area
Saturday and Sunday. There are model differences in the track and
intensity of this upper low. However it appears that the bulk of
the precipitation with this system will track east of the forecast
area. At this time it appears that winds will be the main concerns
with this system with breezy to windy conditions developing.
Another system is forecast to track across the central or southern
Plains early to the middle of next week. This system also looks
like it will be mainly a wind producer as well.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Will continue the Red Flag Warning through mid evening along and
west of a Seminole to Fort Stockton line. As an upper level storm
system approaches New Mexico late today the associated surface dryline
is sharpening. 20 foot winds of 20 mph or greater are beginning to
materialize in the warning area as the gradient increases. Min rh/s
are a bit more problematic as some areas are currently struggling
to reach 15 percent or less. Will error on the side of caution
and continue the Red Flag Warning due to high temperatures 5-10
degrees above normal and fuels dry enough for high to very high
fire danger. In addition virga showers and dry lightning can not
be ruled out in the Warning area behind the dryline through early
this evening near the upper low.
Mainly poor to fair recovery is expected tonight. Cooler and more
moist conditions are expected tomorrow behind the cold front
across much of the region despite windy conditions expected. The
exceptions could be portions of the Lower Trans Pecos, Big Bend,
Presidio Valley. Later shifts will need to monitor these areas
for a possible Red Flag Warning or Fire Danger Statement.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Big Spring 50 69 46 77 / 40 20 10 0
Carlsbad 48 61 42 80 / 10 30 10 0
Dryden 54 82 51 83 / 20 0 0 0
Fort Stockton 52 68 46 81 / 10 0 0 0
Guadalupe Pass 43 55 43 72 / 0 20 0 0
Hobbs 45 53 40 75 / 10 30 10 0
Marfa 42 67 37 76 / 0 0 0 0
Midland Intl Airport 50 65 47 77 / 20 10 10 0
Odessa 50 61 45 78 / 20 10 10 0
Wink 50 64 44 80 / 10 10 10 0
&&
.MAF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NM...Red Flag Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for Guadalupe
Mountains-Southeast Plains.
High Wind Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for Guadalupe
Mountains of Eddy County.
Wind Advisory until 8 PM MDT this evening for Central Lea County-
Eddy County Plains-Northern Lea County-Southern Lea County.
TX...Red Flag Warning until 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ this evening for
Andrews-Davis/Apache Mountains Area-Gaines-Guadalupe
Mountains-Loving-Marfa Plateau-Pecos-Reeves County and
Upper Trans Pecos-Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor-Ward-
Winkler.
High Wind Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for Guadalupe
Mountains.
Wind Advisory until 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ this evening for
Davis/Apache Mountains Area-Marfa Plateau-Van Horn and
Highway 54 Corridor.
&&
44/12Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 200 PM CDT Tue Mar 28 2017 NMZ027>029-033-034-TXZ045>048-050>053-057>063-067>070-074-075- 079>082-258-291900- Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County-Eddy County Plains- Northern Lea County-Central Lea County-Southern Lea County-Gaines- Dawson-Borden-Scurry-Andrews-Martin-Howard-Mitchell- Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor-Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos- Loving-Winkler-Ector-Midland-Glasscock-Ward-Crane-Upton-Reagan- Davis/Apache Mountains Area-Pecos-Presidio Valley-Marfa Plateau- Big Bend Area-Terrell-Guadalupe Mountains- 200 PM CDT Tue Mar 28 2017 /100 PM MDT Tue Mar 28 2017/ This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southeast New Mexico, southwest Texas and western Texas. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT Severe thunderstorms are likely over the upper Colorado River Valley, eastern Permian Basin, Stockton Plateau, and lower Trans Pecos through late this evening. Large hail, damaging winds, and frequent lightning are the main threats from any storms that do develop. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect. Warm, dry, and windy conditions will result in critical fire weather conditions along and west of a Seminole to Fort Stockton line, excluding the Guadalupe, Davis, and Apache Mountains through early evening. A Red Flag Warning is in effect. Strong west winds will continue through the Guadalupe Mountains through early evening. A High Wind Warning is in effect. Windy conditions are also occurring across the Southeast New Mexico Plains, Van Horn and the Highway 54 corridor, Marfa Plateau, and Davis and Apache Mountains through early evening. A Wind Advisory is in effect. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY A few hours of critical fire weather conditions will be possible along the Rio Grande Wednesday afternoon. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be requested late this afternoon or this evening. This product, along with other watches, warnings, advisories, and statements issued by the National Weather Service Office in Midland, can be found on the internet at... http://weather.gov/midland
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIDLAND/ODESSA TX
422 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0410 PM HAIL 9 SSW ST. LAWRENCE 31.58N 101.60W
03/28/2017 E1.00 INCH REAGAN TX PUBLIC
&&
MSCHULDTPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIDLAND/ODESSA TX
442 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0418 PM HAIL 5 SW ST. LAWRENCE 31.65N 101.60W
03/28/2017 E1.00 INCH REAGAN TX PUBLIC
&&
RHLUCHANSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
508 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
TXZ045-050-060>062-067-068-282300-
Midland TX-Andrews TX-Crane TX-Ector TX-Ward TX-Gaines TX-Winkler TX-
508 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR ECTOR...ANDREWS...WARD...
NORTHWESTERN MIDLAND...SOUTHWESTERN GAINES...WINKLER AND NORTHWESTERN
CRANE COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM CDT...
At 508 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms near
Monahans Sandhills State Park, or 11 miles northeast of Monahans,
moving northeast at 40 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Odessa, Andrews, Monahans, Kermit, Wink, West Odessa, Wickett,
Thorntonville, Goldsmith, Pyote, Monahans Sandhills State Park,
Notrees, Frankel City, Penwell, Winkler County Airport, Florey, Roy
Hurd Memorial Airport, Odessa Schelemeyer Field, North Cowden and
Andrews County Airport.
THIS INCLUDES Interstate 20 between mile markers 52 and 113.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3282 10293 3255 10255 3198 10225 3141 10277
3142 10336 3200 10318 3200 10306 3238 10307
TIME...MOT...LOC 2208Z 222DEG 43KT 3172 10277
29Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
513 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
TXZ057-058-067-074-075-080-081-282300-
Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor TX-Pecos TX-
Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos TX-Ward TX-Big Bend Area TX-
Marfa Plateau TX-Davis/Apache Mountains Area TX-
513 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN PECOS...NORTHWESTERN
BREWSTER...REEVES...WEST CENTRAL WARD...JEFF DAVIS...NORTHEASTERN
PRESIDIO AND SOUTHEASTERN CULBERSON COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM CDT...
At 512 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a showers and isolated
thunderstorms producing very strong winds near Marfa, moving
northeast at 40 mph.
Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Pecos, Alpine, Marfa, Kent, Toyah, Fort Davis, Balmorhea, Barstow,
Valentine, Hovey, McDonald Observatory, Toyahvale, Saragosa,
Alpine-Casparis Municipal Airport, Davis Mountains State Park,
Verhalen, Boracho, Camp Mitre Peak, Balmorhea Lake and Marfa
Municipal Airport.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 10 between mile markers 161 and 237.
Interstate 20 between mile markers 0 and 52.
LAT...LON 3171 10417 3140 10307 3012 10355 3047 10476
3051 10477
TIME...MOT...LOC 2212Z 222DEG 43KT 3041 10397
29PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIDLAND/ODESSA TX
537 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0525 PM NON-TSTM WND DMG MCDONALD OBSERVATORY 30.67N 104.02W
03/28/2017 JEFF DAVIS TX PUBLIC
NEARBY SHOWERS PRODUCED SEVERE MICROBURST WINDS.
&&
ANDREW.ARNOLDSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
546 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
TXZ063-070-282345-
Reagan TX-Glasscock TX-
546 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN GLASSCOCK AND NORTHERN
REAGAN COUNTIES UNTIL 645 PM CDT...
At 546 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles southeast of Midkiff, or 24 miles southwest of Garden City,
moving northeast at 30 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Bigby Corner, Saint Lawrence and North Reagan Fire Station.
LAT...LON 3148 10176 3167 10176 3193 10165 3177 10139
3162 10127 3150 10127
TIME...MOT...LOC 2246Z 217DEG 27KT 3156 10170
49The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Sustained west winds of 40-47 mph, and a gust to 59 mph, occurred at the Carlsbad ASOS.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, March 2017
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 678472, 678492.