Full Notification

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 12PM MDT THROUGH 8PM MDT THURSDAY FOR UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY AND LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY AND EASTERN NEW MEXICO DUE TO GUSTY WEST WINDS, EXTREMELY LOW HUMIDITY AND AN UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE... .Critical fire weather conditions are possible across the Upper Rio Grande Valley and Lower Chama River Valley and expected across eastern New Mexico Thursday afternoon and evening. Stronger southwest to west winds are expected south of a storm system moving across the northern and central Rockies with gusts up to 40 mph during the afternoon hours. West winds will bring in a drier airmass and allow relative humidity values to quickly plummet into the single digits. In addition, the atmosphere is forecast to be unstable with excellent mixing. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Fire Weather Watch...which is in effect from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening.

* AREA AND TIMING...Upper Rio Grande Valley and Lower Chama River Valley (Zone 121), Northeast Highlands (Zone 123), Central Highlands (Zone 125), Northeast Plains (Zone 104), and East Central Plains (Zone 126) from Thursday 12 PM MDT to 8 PM MDT.

* 20 FOOT WINDS...West to southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts of up to 40 mph Thursday afternoon and evening.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values between 3 to 10 percent Thursday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

* AFFECTED AREAS: NORTHEAST PLAINS ... UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY AND LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY ... NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS ... CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ... EAST CENTRAL PLAINS

Instructions:

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Fire Weather Watch.