The National Weather Service offices in Lubbock and Amarillo have issued a High Wind Watch for a majority of their County Warning Areas for the potential of a significant high wind event on Monday. A strong surface low pressure system is forecasted to developed in Kansas tomorrow. A dryline will push east towards the Interstate 35 corridor and very dry air will be in place west of the dryline. As the surface low begins to strengthen tomorrow, gradient winds will increase and strong westerly winds are likely. There is the potential for sustained winds in excess of 40 MPH with gusts approaching 60 MPH across the High Wind Watch. These winds will be high enough to possibly cause minor property damage and blowing dust. In addition to the wind and dust potential, low humidity will also promote critical fire danger. Strong winds may down power lines tomorrow, starting grass fires. Residents in West Texas should keep an eye on this situation as it has the potential to become a high-impact event.

Here’s the full watch statement from the Lubbock and Amarillo offices…

..HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH
MONDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE TEXAS PANHANDLE AND FOR
EAST CENTRAL SECTIONS OF THE TEXAS PANHANDLE...

A HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH
MONDAY AFTERNOON. 

* EVENT...WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS OF 30 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS UP
  TO 60 MPH ARE LIKELY BETWEEN 10 AM AND 6 PM CST MONDAY. 

* TIMING...VERY STRONG WINDS WILL LIKELY DEVELOP BY LATE MONDAY
  MORNING THEN CONTINUE DURING THE AFTERNOON HOURS. WINDS WILL
  DIMINISH AFTER 6 PM CST. 

* IMPACTS...THESE STRONG WINDS WILL BE CAPABLE OF BLOWING TREE
  LIMBS AND POWER POLES DOWN. LAWN FURNITURE MAY ALSO BE BLOWN
  AROUND. PATCHY BLOWING DUST MAY REDUCE VISIBILITIES. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WATCH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A HAZARDOUS
HIGH WIND EVENT. SUSTAINED WINDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH...OR GUSTS OF
58 MPH OR STRONGER MAY OCCUR. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST
FORECASTS.

PARMER-CASTRO-SWISHER-BRISCOE-HALL-CHILDRESS-BAILEY-LAMB-HALE-
FLOYD-MOTLEY-COTTLE-CROSBY-DICKENS-KING-GARZA-KENT-STONEWALL-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...FRIONA...BOVINA...DIMMITT...HART...
TULIA...SILVERTON...QUITAQUE...MEMPHIS...TURKEY...CHILDRESS...
MULESHOE...LITTLEFIELD...OLTON...PLAINVIEW...FLOYDADA...LOCKNEY...
MATADOR...ROARING SPRINGS...PADUCAH...CROSBYTON...RALLS...
DICKENS...SPUR...GUTHRIE...POST...JAYTON...ASPERMONT
1002 AM CST SUN FEB 19 2012

...HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH
MONDAY AFTERNOON...

* TIMING...HIGH WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP LATE MONDAY
  MORNING AND PERSIST THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON. 

* WINDS...WESTERLY WINDS WILL BECOME SUSTAINED AT SPEEDS BETWEEN
  30 AND 40 MPH WITH GUSTS AROUND 60 MPH MONDAY. 

* IMPACTS...WINDS MAY RESULT IN DAMAGE ON MONDAY...ESPECIALLY TO
  LIGHT STRUCTURES AND UTILITIES. AREAS OF BLOWING DUST WITH
  SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED VISIBILITY ARE LIKELY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WATCH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A HAZARDOUS
HIGH WIND EVENT. SUSTAINED WINDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH...OR GUSTS OF
58 MPH OR STRONGER MAY OCCUR. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST
FORECASTS.