Area's windy season just getting started

Sunny, increasingly warm, no snow to speak of and only intermittent frosts mean it hasn’t felt much like winter lately, but don’t get excited just yet — there are some hair-raising days ahead.

In addition to normal seasons, eastern New Mexico has a couple extras mixed in — there’s monsoon, fire, spider, fly and moth to name a few — but of all of them, the local favorite (not really) has to be the windy season.

And it starts right about now.

Today, winds are expected to peak around 30-35 mph in the region, according to meteorologist Randall Hergert with the Albuquerque National Weather Service. And it’s just the beginning.

The windy season typically starts in March but began a little early this year because of winter pressure fronts above and below us, said Hergert, who explained the New Mexico windy season usually lasts through April.

Windy season on the High Plains can mean anything from “breezy,” where walking outside with papers in hand requires a firm grip, to “windy” when everything from tumbleweeds to billboards become mobile, houses shudder, and all sound is muted by a ceaseless, deafening roar.

Subject to the jet stream as it moves north and south, the High Plains is in prime position for wind events during spring. The result can be profound with a flat, open landscape that provides little protection.

“There’s not a lot of stuff to slow down the winds in that part of the state,” Hergert said.

And since there’s been low moisture in the past month — Hergert said the area is classified as being in drought to moderately-dry conditions — the winds-to-come will probably move around a lot of dirt.

As if walking at an angle, having to fight doors and duck to avoid flying objects weren’t enough, there will be dirt — stinging the skin, irritating eyes, making its way into nostrils, ears and, yes, mouths. Oh, joy.

Just as windy season can be miserable for humans, folks with animals should keep some things in mind:

• The only reprieve from wind is to get out of it. Make sure outdoor animals have secure, well-anchored (light-weight dog houses and sheds can blow away) shelter to block the wind and protect them from flying dirt and debris.

• Water and food dishes collect sand, dirt, trash and vegetation. Check often for foreign materials and, if possible, place feed dishes out of the wind to keep them clean and make mealtime more pleasant.

• Secure loose yard items. Chairs, toys, umbrellas, trampolines and small pools are just some of the things that fly when the wind kicks up. Not only is it unpleasant to walk the neighborhood looking for your patio set, for outdoor pets, dodging airborne furniture is just insult to injury.

• Double check and secure gates and doors. Add latches, bungee cords or other measures to keep them from opening during high winds.

• Repair weak or broken fences, gates or walls that keep animals in the yard. Remember, strong winds can break, knock down or blow away loose items, fences included.

• If pets need to be walked, aim for early morning or evening when winds tend to be less severe. Take familiar routes between buildings or trees. Wear bandanas, hooded jackets and glasses so you can see and breath, and if they’ll tolerate it, do the same for your pet.

Luckily, though it’s miserable and makes everyone grouchy, windy season is the final stretch between winter and days of endless sunshine, so hold on to your hat, take some precautions and wait — it will eventually blow over.

Sharna Johnson is always searching for ponies. You can reach her at:

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