A fast-moving dust storm shrouded southwestern New Mexico and parts of northern Mexico in darkness Monday morning, prompting an emergency alert for drivers to “shelter in place” as officials tried to get cars off the interstate.
The dust storm, known meteorologically as a haboob, swept across Deming and Doña Ana counties in New Mexico at a breakneck pace with near-zero visibility and winds of 45 mph, the National Weather Service warned. State officials closed parts of Interstates 10 and 25 as well as US Highway 70 because of the “dangerous, life-threatening” travel conditions.
The haboob grew as it whipped east across the dry, dusty landscape. High wind warnings were in effect Monday in the Southwest alongside low humidity, increasing the threat of wildfire.
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NOAA weather satellites captured the haboob’s size and movement from space, seen below highlighted in yellow with NOAA’s dust product, which detects dust and sand-sized particles in the air and distinguishes them from clouds.
A haboob is an extreme type of dust storm that persists for multiple hours. It’s essentially a wall of dust and debris that can grow up to 5,000 feet tall as it’s blown forward by strong winds.
You can see the haboob’s wall of dust coming from a distance but by the time it reaches you, it’s too late to seek shelter — especially if you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle. It’s nearly impossible to see more than a few feet in front of you in the worst of these storms as the dust chokes out light.
Drivers should pull as far off the road as possible when they encounter such a storm, the National Weather Service says. It also recommends engaging the parking or hill brake and turning off all lights — including making sure the driver’s foot is off the brake so the brake light is not illuminated — to avoid confusing any vehicles approaching from behind.
Dust storms are most common in dry, desert areas of the Southwest. A massive haboob rolled through parts of California last November.
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Watch massive dust storm sweep through central California
Watch massive dust storm sweep through central California
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A haboob is just one of the many ways a day can go from calm to dangerous in a matter of moments. Blizzards — like the one expected in the Plains this week — and dense fog also make it difficult or even impossible to see what’s ahead.
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A massive, deadly pileup occurred during a bout of “super fog” in Louisiana in 2023 after fog and smoke from nearby wildfires combined to crater visibility along Interstate 55.
Early voting for the 2026 New Mexico Primary Election begins Tuesday, May 5.
Residents can vote at county clerks’ offices until May 16, at which point more early voting locations open.
The Primary Election is on June 2.
Key races in New Mexico Primary Election?
Several state races have a crowded primary field including Democrat candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, governor and the state Legislature. Local races in Doña Ana and Otero County for sheriff and the Board of County Commissioners.
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Who can vote in New Mexico Primary Election?
New Mexico has semi-open primary elections, which means voters who are not registered with a qualified political party may participate in the election by selecting which major party’s ballot they want to vote on without changing their voter registration.
Voters who have not registered with a qualified party can participate by selecting a major party’s ballot and vote.
Registration status, voting locations and sample ballots can be viewed at the New Mexico Secretary of State website.
Where to vote in Doña Ana County
Early voting at the Doña Ana County Government Center, 845 N Motel Blvd., Las Cruces, will begin from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. Monday through Friday on May 5 until May 29, and from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 30.
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Alternate site early voting locations will begin at 11 a.m. on May 16 and run through May 30 from Tuesday through Saturday.
The alternate site locations in Doña Ana County are:• Anthony Library (750 Landers Road, Anthony)• HVPS Student Services (350 Main Street, Hatch)• Doña Ana County Community College (755 Prescott Anthony Drive, Chapparal)• Doña Ana County Community College (800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd., Las Cruces)• Doña Ana County Community College (3365 McNutt Road, Sunland Park)• Las Cruces City Hall (700 N. Main Street, Las Cruces)• Mesilla Town Hall (2231 Avenida de Mesilla, Mesilla)• Corbett Center Student Union (1600 International Mall, Las Cruces)
Same day registration will be available at the Doña Ana County Government Center during early voting and all absentee ballots may be returned to the County Clerk’s Office or any Election Day polling location no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.
More: New Mexico primary elections: Who is running for state House?
Where to vote in Otero County
Early voting at the Otero County Clerk’s sub-office, 1101 New York Avenue, Room 101, will begin from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m., Monday through Friday on May 5 until May 29, and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 30.
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Alternate site early voting locations will be staggered beginning on May 16 at 11 a.m. and run through May 30.
The alternate site locations in Otero County are:10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 16 through May 30Otero County Fairgrounds (401 Fairgrounds Road, Alamogordo)
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., May 27 through May 29Inn of The Mountain Gods (287 Carrizo Canyon Road, Mescalero)
8:00 am to 5:00 p.m., May 28 through May 30 Chaparral Far South Fire Station (827 Luna Street, Chaparral)
Cloudier skies have moved into New Mexico today along with warmer temperatures. A few spotty to isolated showers have also developed this afternoon across western parts of New Mexico. Overnight, upper level moisture will increase across the region. This will bring more scattered to widespread shower and storm chances starting Tuesday.
Showers, storms and high elevation snowfall will move throughout much of the region with southeast New Mexico remaining quiet through Wednesday. Drier air moves in statewide by Thursday. This will bring fewer rain chances through the end of the week along with warming temperatures into the weekend.
