Haboob Hits New Mexico, Drivers Urged to Seek Shelter

DEMING, New Mexico — A severe haboob, or dust storm, enveloped southwestern New Mexico and parts of northern Mexico on Monday, reducing visibility to near zero and prompting urgent safety alerts for motorists.

The National Weather Service reported that the dust storm swept through Doña Ana County and surrounding areas at an alarming speed, featuring winds reaching up to 45 mph. Officials issued an emergency alert advising drivers to “shelter in place” as they worked to clear the roads. Parts of Interstate 10 were closed due to the hazardous travel conditions.

In addition to the closure of sections of I-10, the Weather Service issued dust storm warnings affecting portions of Interstates 10 and 25 as well as U.S. Highway 70. The rapid advance of the haboob raised concerns among local authorities, who noted that high winds, paired with low humidity, heightened the risk of wildfires throughout the region.

NOAA weather satellites recorded the event, showing a substantial dust cloud moving across the landscape, marked in yellow in satellite images. The imagery illustrated the haboob’s rapid expansion over New Mexico, northern Mexico, and western Texas during the day.

A haboob is characterized as a particularly intense dust storm that can endure over several hours. It consists of a towering wall of dust and debris that can reach heights of up to 5,000 feet. While the wall of dust may be visible from a distance, it can deteriorate visibility to just a few feet as it approaches, creating perilous conditions for drivers.

The National Weather Service advised drivers caught in the storm to pull over as far off the road as possible. Motorists should engage their parking or hill brake and turn off all lights, ensuring that brake lights are not illuminated to avoid confusing trailing vehicles.

Dust storms are prevalent in the dry desert regions of the Southwest, with a significant haboob impacting parts of California last November.