Full Notification

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH 9 PM TODAY FOR THE NORTHWEST PLATEAU, WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, BASIN, AND RANGE, MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY, AND THE SANDIA AND MANZANO MOUNTAINS DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM WEDNESDAY FOR THE NORTHWEST PLATEAU, WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, BASIN, AND RANGE, MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY, THE SANDIA AND MANZANO MOUNTAINS, AND CENTRAL HIGHLANDS DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY... .Strong winds and very low humidity will continue today and Wednesday as an upper level trough passing north of New Mexico steers the jetstream over the state. Updated forecasts indicate high fire danger will continue to spread, so the Red Flag Warning has been expanded to include the Central Highlands and all of the Sandia and Manzano Mountains. A strong Pacific cold front moving through the area Wednesday will shift winds from the southwest to west then northwest as the day progresses. Cooler temperatures will also arrive behind the front however the coverage of single digit humidity will actually be greater. Winds will taper off Wednesday evening to alleviate critical fire weather. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Red Flag Warning...which is in effect from 11 AM to 9 PM MDT Wednesday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

* AREA AND TIMING...Northwest Plateau (Zone 101), West Central Mountains, Basin, and Range (Zones 105 and 109), Middle Rio Grande Valley (Zone 106), and the Sandia and Manzano Mountains (Zone 124) today and Wednesday from 11 AM to 9 PM MDT.

* 20 FOOT WINDS...For today, southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. For Wednesday, west 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. The strongest winds will focus along the central mountain chain.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...For today, 8 to 14 percent. For Wednesday, 5 to 13 percent.

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

* AFFECTED AREAS: NORTHWEST PLATEAU ... WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS ... MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY ... WEST CENTRAL BASIN AND RANGE ... SANDIA AND MANZANO MOUNTAINS

Instructions:

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Red Flag Warning.