Las Cruces - Dust/Wind Storms? (construction, earthquakes, live in)

[Louison]

How often do they occur? Do they last just a day or so?

What's the best way to tolerate them?

Are they any worse than a winter blizzard in the midwest?

Are they so bad that they affect your car/home?

I find it hard to believe that they are that bad otherwise why would anyone live in LC?

Just wondering??

[domino]

They're more of a nuissance than a hazard, although they can cause road closure due to low visibility at times. Sand in your face is not a pleasant experience, but there's no frostbite involved. I would take New Mexico's spring winds over blizzards in the Midwest any day.

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by domino

I would take New Mexico's spring winds over blizzards in the Midwest any day.

Hiway closures only occur for a few hours under "normal" storm conditions, and then only in areas where the desert is more sparsely covered with plant growth. But wind-driven sand PLUS speeding car = sandblasted (frosted) windshield and paint job! Easiest way to last out a sand storm is to stay indoors - hopefully where it's air conditioned if it's warm or hot outdoors.

CAVEAT: If you drive in dust storms be sure and change your car's air filter much more frequently than is recommended in your owner's manual.

[Sparrow_temp]

I've been here over a year and haven't seen one or at least something that I recognized as one. People here need something to complain about with respect to weather so they choose the wind. I'm from Michigan and feel that a blizzard is about a thousand times worse than anything I've seen here yet with regard to weather.

Most of the wind I hear people complaining about is just as common in Michigan winters but without the cold and snow. I love the weather here compared to there.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by Sparrow_temp

I've been here over a year and haven't seen one or at least something that I recognized as one. People here need something to complain about with respect to weather so they choose the wind. I'm from Michigan and feel that a blizzard is about a thousand times worse than anything I've seen here yet with regard to weather.

Most of the wind I hear people complaining about is just as common in Michigan winters but without the cold and snow. I love the weather here compared to there.

True. Dust storms are really about the only weather you might find a reason to complain - but then not necessarily. You get wind everywhere, wind isn't some phenomena you only see here. There are some windy days here in the spring just like there are almost everywhere, but not tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes and dust storms aren't nearly as bad as blizzards. In fact they're nice because they mean warmer weather is moving in. You get about 7 very windy days a year, maybe one or two that could be called dust storms but even then if you live where they're doing a lot of construction is when you'll see any dirt in the air.

[tecpatl]

Originally Posted by Sparrow_temp

I've been here over a year and haven't seen one or at least something that I recognized as one. People here need something to complain about with respect to weather so they choose the wind. I'm from Michigan and feel that a blizzard is about a thousand times worse than anything I've seen here yet with regard to weather.

Most of the wind I hear people complaining about is just as common in Michigan winters but without the cold and snow. I love the weather here compared to there.

You're sooo right Sparrow! When I hear people whining about the winds -especially in Spring- and the dust, I just can't take it seriously. Of course the wind blows, of course desert dust is whipped up..but it's nothing compared to a blizzard howling in off Lake Michigan.