The
National Weather Service (NWS) has designated June 7th through 11th as Monsoon
Awareness Week in the State of New Mexico and
also across southwest Texas.
This is a safety campaign designed to promote awareness of the life-threatening
weather hazards that affect these regions during the Summer Monsoon. The
NWS is working closely with Emergency Management officials at the state and
local levels in order to help spread the word regarding the hazardous weather
conditions expected during the upcoming months.
With the onset of the Monsoon, our regions are typically affected by a variety
of weather hazards that can often put the population at risk for serious injury
or death. These hazards include, but are not limited to an increased risk
for “Dry” Thunderstorms (capable of producing gusty winds and lightning, but
with little rainfall, which can exacerbate the risk of wildfires), Lightning,
Flash Floods, Downburst Winds/Dust Storms and Heat Stress.
The keys to avoiding serious injury or death during the Summer Monsoon include
knowing the safety rules to survive hazardous weather, knowing how to stay
informed of forecasts and warnings for severe weather storm conditions,
preparing ahead of time by developing both personal and community severe
weather action plans and conducting drills to practice severe weather survival
skills, and ensuring that your local community has an adequate severe weather
warning and reporting system.
As of
Monday, June 7th, special information is being provided on the following
websites:
