Dust storm in southern New Mexico. Not an April Fools joke.

Many highways closed due to zero visibility.

https://weather.cod.edu/satrad/?parms=subregional-Desert_SW-truecolor-48-0-100-1&checked=map&colorbar=undefined

https://www.nmroads.com/default.html?

This awkward moment when it's sunny but the sky is white.

(your reminder to avoid spending time outside if you're in Japan today, and to wear a mask if you have to)

@DeniseG

Droughts are increasing. Global warning dries out continents, increases coastal formed storms. Canada's forests burning, farms failing, dust storms growing.

Map of U.S. droughts

https://www.drought.gov/data-maps-tools/us-drought-monitor

Dust storm and many wind driven fires in the southwest US. Same song, 22nd verse.

One fire is about a half hour drive from me:
https://app.watchduty.org/i/44174

"Emergency personnel were juggling road closures due to dust storms and high winds—San Augustin Pass, just east of Las Cruces, reported a gust at 93 mph.

US Highway 54 was briefly closed from the southern Otero County line near El Paso to the northern Otero County and Lincoln County lines due to high winds, blowing dust and vehicle wrecks. Crews could be heard over the radio leaving an accident on Highway 54 to head towards the Mayhill-adjacent fire.

The Otero County Electric Cooperative (OCEC) reported dozens of outages affecting thousands of customers from Timberon to Carrizozo. Line crews are working on restoring power to the affected areas."

https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/gail-fire-near-mayhill-new-mexico

Okay, these people should NOT BE DRIVING in a zero visibility dust storm. This is how you get massive pileups. #duststorm #dust #NMwx https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3cz8xPYBfo

Dust storm is now shifting into Texas. Avoid driving, significant possibility of pileups in the dust areas. (also, tends to knock over semis) #duststorm #dust #TXwx #NMwx 3/18/25 2016CT

Dust storm over NM/TX right now, in visual band (GOES satellite).. 3/18/25 1749MT #NMwx #TXwx #duststorm #dust

Massive dust storm in Southern NM and northwest TX. 3/18/25 1712 MT #NMwx #TXwx #dust #duststorm

Computer enhanced imagery of the dust storm in New Mexico today, 3/18/25. #NMwx #dust #duststorm

Dust from the Midwest looks like it's blown over Chicago. 3/15/25 0909CT #duststorm #dust

Dust detection image from the NOAA GOES satellites, the more magenta/hot pink it is, the more dust. The dust is absolute, choking dust (ie you do not want to be out in it... extremely bad for your lungs). 3/14/25 2329CT #dust #duststorm #OKwx #MOwx #AQI

Air quality in the midwest at 3/14/25 2320CT #dust #duststorm

Not a lot of PurpleAir PM10 sensors in West Texas, but this one in Midland reading 985 (>300 is hazardous). #aqi #Texas #duststorm #dust #TXwx

Air quality in the Central US is very, very bad. N95 mask, Corsi Rosenthal, stay indoors (IMHO). #AQI #dust #duststorm #PM10

Jeff Masters: EPA warning: do not go outside in the Central U.S. dust storm! Hazardous dust covers parts of KS, OK, CO, MO, WY, IL, TX, NM, NE. The AQI in St. Louis hit an unfathomable 5,791 from PM10 (dust); an AQI over 300 is “Hazardous”. The tops: Lamar, CO hit an AQI of 12,802. Consult airnow.gov.