Weather Alert in New Mexico

Recent Locations: Tesuque, NM

Red Flag Warning issued February 19 at 3:03AM MST until February 19 at 6:00PM MST by NWS Albuquerque NM

AREAS AFFECTED: Northeast Plains

DESCRIPTION: ...RED FLAG WARNING TODAY FROM 12 TO 6 PM FOR THE NORTHEAST AND EAST CENTRAL PLAINS, AND THE NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS ALONG AND EAST OF I-25, DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH FRIDAY FROM 1 TO 6 PM FOR THE EASTERN PLAINS, AND FOR THE GUADALUPE COUNTY PORTION OF THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY... .Persistently strong flow aloft, an area of low pressure at the surface over the northeast corner of New Mexico, and very dry fuels over northeast and east central areas will result in critical fire weather conditions on the eastern plains today and Friday. The critical fire weather conditions will reach as far west as the I-25 corridor from Las Vegas northward today, but higher humidities and snow showers should reduce fire weather concerns over the Northeast Highlands on Friday. Meanwhile, drier conditions are forecast across the eastern half of the Central Highlands on Friday, compared to today. So, Guadalupe County has been added to Friday's Fire Weather Watch. The strongest winds are forecast Friday, when gusts will probably reach 50 to 60 mph across much of northeast and east central New Mexico. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Fire Weather Watch...which is in effect Friday afternoon. * AREA AND TIMING...Northeast Plains (Zone 104) today from 12 until 6 PM MST, and Friday from 1 to 6 PM MST. * 20 FOOT WINDS...For today, west and northwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. For Friday, west southwest winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...For today, minimum values between 9 and 15 percent. For Friday, minimum values between 13 and 16 percent. * 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.

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Weather Topic: What are Mammatus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Mammatus Clouds

Mammatus Clouds Next Topic: Nimbostratus Clouds

A mammatus cloud is a cloud with a unique feature which resembles a web of pouches hanging along the base of the cloud.

In the United States, mammatus clouds tend to form in the warmer months, commonly in the Midwest and eastern regions.

While they usually form at the bottom of a cumulonimbis cloud, they can also form under altostratus, altocumulus, stratocumulus, and cirrus clouds. Mammatus clouds warn that severe weather is close.

Next Topic: Nimbostratus Clouds

Weather Topic: What is Precipitation?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Precipitation

Next Topic: Rain

Precipitation can refer to many different forms of water that may fall from clouds. Precipitation occurs after a cloud has become saturated to the point where its water particles are more dense than the air below the cloud.

In most cases, precipitation will reach the ground, but it is not uncommon for precipitation to evaporate before it reaches the earth's surface. When precipitation evaporates before it contacts the ground it is called Virga. Graupel, hail, sleet, rain, drizzle, and snow are forms of precipitation, but fog and mist are not considered precipitation because the water vapor which constitutes them isn't dense enough to fall to the ground.

Next Topic: Rain