Weather Alert in New Mexico

Recent Locations: Chili, WI Fort Wingate, NM

Red Flag Warning issued March 12 at 1:37PM MDT until March 12 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM

AREAS AFFECTED: Northeast Plains; Northeast Highlands

DESCRIPTION: ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM TODAY EAST OF THE CENTRAL MOUNTAIN CHAIN DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY... ...RED FLAG WARNING FRIDAY FROM NOON UNTIL 8 PM FOR THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH SATURDAY FROM NOON UNTIL 10 PM FOR WEST CENTRAL NM, NORTHERN NM, SANDIA AND MANZANO MOUNTAINS, AND CENTRAL HIGHLANDS DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY... .Brisk northwest flow aloft, a lee-side surface trough, single digit humidities, and ample atmospheric mixing with high temperatures 8 to 15 degrees above 1991-2020 averages will cause critical fire weather conditions to continue east of the central mountain chain this afternoon through early evening. Winds will weaken most places on Friday, but they will remain strong enough for another round of critical fire weather conditions in the Central Highlands during the afternoon and early evening. Critical fire weather conditions will then become more extreme and widespread this weekend as a sharp upper level trough crossing the northern and central Rockies steers a strong jetstream over New Mexico with a potent surface trough in the lee of the southern Rockies. * AREA AND TIMING...Northeast Plains (Zone 104) and Northeast Highlands (Zone 123) for the remainder of this afternoon until 8 PM this evening, and Saturday from noon until 10 PM. * 20 FOOT WINDS...For the remainder of today, west and northwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. The strongest winds will be south of Highway 56 late this afternoon. For Saturday, southwest and west winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. The strongest winds on Saturday will occur during the evening. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values between 7 and 12 percent today, then between 7 and 9 percent Saturday. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

INSTRUCTION: Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Red Flag Warning. Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Fire Weather Watch.

View All Alerts for New Mexico

Want more detail? Get the Complete 7 Day and Night Detailed Forecast!

Current U.S. National Radar--Current

The Current National Weather Radar is shown below with a UTC Time (subtract 5 hours from UTC to get Eastern Time).

National Weather Forecast--Current

The Current National Weather Forecast and National Weather Map are shown below.

National Weather Forecast for Tomorrow

Tomorrow National Weather Forecast and Tomorrow National Weather Map are show below.

North America Water Vapor (Moisture)

This map shows recent moisture content over North America. Bright and colored areas show high moisture (ie, clouds); brown indicates very little moisture present; black indicates no moisture.

Weather Topic: What are Fractus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Fractus Clouds

Fractus Clouds Next Topic: Freezing Rain

A fractus cloud (scud) is a fragmented, tattered cloud which has likely been sheared off of another cloud. They are accessory clouds, meaning they develop from parent clouds, and are named in a way which describes the original cloud which contained them.

Fractus clouds which have originated from cumulus clouds are referred to as cumulus fractus, while fractus clouds which have originated from stratus clouds are referred to as stratus fractus. Under certain conditions a fractus cloud might merge with another cloud, or develop into a cumulus cloud, but usually a fractus cloud seen by itself will dissipate rapidly.

They are often observed on the leading and trailing edges of storm clouds, and are a display of wind activity.

Next Topic: Freezing Rain

Weather Topic: What is Graupel?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Graupel

Graupel Next Topic: Hail

Graupel is a form of precipitation that is created by atmospheric conditions which cause supercooled water droplets to contact snow crystals and freeze to their surface.

Sometimes known as soft hail or snow pellets, graupel is delicate and easily destroyed by touch. Whereas hail usually falls during severe weather, graupel doesn't require such conditions to form, and can form in mild precipitation similar to situations which produce snowfall.

Next Topic: Hail