...RED FLAG WARNING THURSDAY FROM 11 AM UNTIL 8 PM MDT FOR AREAS ALONG AND EAST OF THE CENTRAL MOUNTAIN CHAIN INCLUDING THE UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY DUE TO RECORD HEAT, STRONG WINDS, AND LOW HUMIDITY... .Amidst an extended stretch of record high temperatures, west winds will strengthen Thursday in response to an upper level trough passing eastward along the Colorado and New Mexico border, and a potent surface trough in the lee of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Winds will gust up to 45 mph as humidity plummets below 10 percent and high temperatures reach around 20 to 30 degrees above average. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Red Flag Warning...which is in effect from 11 AM to 8 PM MDT Thursday.
* AREA AND TIMING...Upper Rio Grande Valley and Lower Chama River Valley (Zone 121).
* 20 FOOT WINDS...West winds 18 to 24 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values falling to 6 to 10 percent.
* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
* AFFECTED AREAS: UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY AND LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY
