Full Notification

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT TODAY UNTIL 9 PM MDT FOR ALL OF EASTERN NEW MEXICO DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT SATURDAY 12 PM TO 8 PM MDT ALONG AND EAST OF THE NORTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS AND ALONG AND EAST OF THE SANDIA AND MANZANO MOUNTAINS (BELOW SNOWPACK) DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY... .Winds will weaken slower than normal this evening across northeast areas due to a persistent lee-side surface trough and strengthening flow aloft. After a break from the strong winds on Friday, westerly winds will become strong across central and eastern parts of the forecast area Saturday in response to a storm system crossing the northern and central Rockies and sharp surface trough in the lee of the central mountain chain. Very low humidity values are expected as temperatures rise 4 to 13 degrees above 30-year averages. Saturday's Fire Weather Watch has been expanded to include the northern mountains and valleys, where the snow water equivalent is only 20-47 percent of normal and Southwest Coordination Center Energy Release Components are mostly above 80 percent. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Fire Weather Watch...which is in effect from Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening.

* AREA AND TIMING...North Central Mountains (Zone 120) below snowpack, Upper Rio Grande Valley and Lower Chama River Valley (Zone 121), and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (Zone 122) below snowpack Saturday from noon until 8 PM MDT.

* 20 FOOT WINDS...West 20 to 35 with gusts up to 55 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity between 15 and 20 percent, except up to 30 percent on the highest peaks.

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

* AFFECTED AREAS: NORTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS ... UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY AND LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY ... SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS

Instructions:

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.