Hazardous weather can occur at any time of the year. During the winter, the potential for icing, heavy snowfall and power outages exist even in Las Cruces, New Mexico. During the spring, high winds are common. In the summer, extreme heat, thunderstorms, flashfloods and tornados are all possible. In the fall, the potential for thunderstorms and hail are still high.
The NMSU Emergency Dispatch Center monitors weather information from the National Weather Service and other sources continually. If hazardous weather warnings and watches are issued, the dispatchers help determine the potential impact to NMSU and put out warnings as appropriate.
In most cases, seasonal warning information is distributed by NMSU Police once or twice in order to help people prepare for the upcoming season. Then, as severe warnings and watches are issued, additional notices are distributed as appropriate to the campus community. In the event of immediately life-threatening warnings (such as a tornado), NMSU may also activate the Emergency Notification System.
