Strong winds in New Mexico prompt health precautions

CHANCE OF SOME RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS AS WELL. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ERIC. AS WE HEAD INTO A SECOND DAY OF STRONG WIND, IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE MINDFUL OF YOUR HEALTH. REPORTER ALYSSA MUNOZ CONTINUES OUR TEAM WEATHER COVERAGE. SHE IS LIVE THIS MORNING. IN ALYSSA. THERE IS SO MUCH DUST AND POLLEN IN THE AIR RIGHT NOW. YEAH THERE IS. AND AS ERIC MENTIONED EARLIER, WE’RE EXPECTING A LOT MORE TODAY. YOU KNOW, CONDITIONS LIKE THIS CAN OFTEN CAUSE ITCHY, WATERY EYES, RUNNY NOSE AND A SCRATCHY THROAT. SO IF YOU CAN, DOCTORS RECOMMEND FOR YOU TO TRY AND STAY INSIDE AND AWAY FROM THAT WIND. BUT IF YOU CAN’T TRY TO WEAR SOMETHING THAT COVERS YOUR FACE. NOW, WE DID TALK WITH AN EXPERT AT THE STATE’S HEALTH DEPARTMENT ABOUT WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO. ALSO WASHING HANDS AND FACE AS SOON AS YOU COME INSIDE. YOU KNOW, ALSO KEEPING WINDOWS CLOSED SO IT DOESN’T BLOW INSIDE, AND THEN TAKING A SHOWER AT THE END OF THE DAY AND JUST MAKING SURE ALL THE POLLEN IS OFF AND TAKING SHOES OFF WHEN YOU GO INSIDE TO TO NOT TRACK POLLEN AROUND AND FOLLOW. YOUR SYMPTOMS DO WORSEN, SHE SAYS YOU SHOULD GO SEE A DOCTOR AND ALSO JUST TRY TO BE MINDFUL AND WATCH OUT FOR ANY AIR QUALITY ALERTS THAT

Strong winds in New Mexico prompt health precautions

Conditions like this often cause itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose, and a scratchy throat

Updated: 6:14 AM MST Feb 18, 2026

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New Mexico residents are advised to take health precautions as strong wind conditions continue. KOAT meteorologist Eric Green expects a lot of dust and pollen to be in the air. Conditions like this often cause itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose, and a scratchy throat. If you can, doctors recommend staying inside away from the wind. But if you can’t, try wearing something that covers your face.Chelsea Langer, bureau chief for environmental health at the Gemiology Bureau from the state’s health department, shared additional tips for minimizing exposure. “Washing hands and face as soon as you come inside, also keeping windows closed so it doesn’t blow inside, and then taking a shower at the end of the day and just making sure all the pollen is off and taking shoes off when you go inside to not track pollen around and help,” Langer said.She said if your symptoms get worse, you should see a doctor. You should also watch for any air quality alerts in your area.

New Mexico residents are advised to take health precautions as strong wind conditions continue.

KOAT meteorologist Eric Green expects a lot of dust and pollen to be in the air. Conditions like this often cause itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose, and a scratchy throat. If you can, doctors recommend staying inside away from the wind. But if you can’t, try wearing something that covers your face.

Chelsea Langer, bureau chief for environmental health at the Gemiology Bureau from the state’s health department, shared additional tips for minimizing exposure.

“Washing hands and face as soon as you come inside, also keeping windows closed so it doesn’t blow inside, and then taking a shower at the end of the day and just making sure all the pollen is off and taking shoes off when you go inside to not track pollen around and help,” Langer said.

She said if your symptoms get worse, you should see a doctor. You should also watch for any air quality alerts in your area.

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