RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT TODAY BETWEEN NOON AND 7PM FOR THE EAST CENTRAL PLAINS DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY. . RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT THURSDAY BETWEEN NOON AND 8 PM FOR THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY, SANDIA AND MANZANO MOUNTAINS BELOW SNOWPACK AND ALL OF EASTERN NEW MEXICO DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY. .Strong west to northwest winds will develop today across eastern New Mexico as an upper level trough departs the area. Strong winds in combination with high temperatures around 5 to 8 degrees above normal and daytime humidity below 15 percent will yield critical fire weather for several hours across the East Central Plains. Winds will decrease this evening, easing the concern for critical fire weather conditions. Strong southwest winds will return on Thursday nearly areawide. Humidity values will fall to near 15 percent from the middle Rio Grande Valley eastward to the Texas border, resulting in critical fire weather conditions. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Red Flag Warning. which is in effect from noon to 8 PM MDT Thursday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AREA AND TIMING. This includes the Northeast Highlands and Plains (Zones 103 and 104), Middle Rio Grande Valley (Zone 106), Sandia and Manzano Mountains (Zone 124) below snowpack, and Central Highlands (Zone 125). * 20 FOOT WINDS. Southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY. Minimum values between 12 and 19 percent. * IMPACTS. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
