MILWAUKEE -- National Weather Service officials have identified where mysterious red dirt in Wisconsin was coming from -- New Mexico.

The red, clayish dirt started showing up on cars in the Milwaukee, Ozaukee and Waukesha counties during Tuesday morning's rain.

NWS officials said the red dirt originated from eastern New Mexico. Strong west winds gusting to 55 to 65 mph for several hours Monday lifted the red dirt into the atmosphere, causing poor visibilities over parts of the Texas panhandle into Oklahoma Monday afternoon and evening.

The wind brought the dust into southeastern Wisconsin as the low pressure moved northeast through the state Tuesday morning, NWS officials said.

The soil in eastern New Mexico is very dry, so it's easily lifted strong winds, NWS officials said.

See satellite images at http://terra.ssec.wisc.edu/%7egumley/images.html