NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Strong wind gusts continue across the state this afternoon. As rain and snow showers prepare to return this evening. Gusts are continuing to strengthen across the state this afternoon. Parts of southeast New Mexico have already seen gusts exceed 70 mph. Central New Mexico i s seeing gusts peak around 55-60 mph. The National Weather Service has issued several wind alerts for much of eastern, central, and southern New Mexico. The Wind Advisories will be in place until 6 p.m. March 14th. The High Wind Warnings will be in place until 8 p.m. March 14th. Forecast Continues Below DWI Scandal: Another BCSO deputy placed on leave in connection to DWI dismissals Entertainment: Visit these 10 iconic film locations in New Mexico Events: What’s happening around New Mexico March 14-20 The strong winds are leading to other severe conditions across the state. Blowing Dusts Advisories are in place across southeastern and southern New Mexico until 8 p.m. March 14th. Red Flag Warnings are in place across eastern New Mexico until 8 p.m. March 14th. Additionally, the strong winds are causing travel complications. I-25 has been shut down from Las Vegas to the Colorado state line due to the high winds. Additionally, the blowing dust has caused minor road closures due to the limited availability. The cause of the strong winds is a spring storm system that is passing through the state this afternoon and another system moving through on Saturday. These two storms are bringing isolated to scattered rain and snow showers across much of the state. The next round of precipitation will be moving in during the very early morning hours of Saturday. This round of precipitation will last through the early evening on Saturday. The snow showers will mostly be up in the northern mountains. The rain showers will be across parts of western, central, and eastern New Mexico. ...read more read less