Full Notification

...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...Northeast Plains (Zone 104), Sangre de Cristo Mountains (Zone 122), Northeast Highlands (Zone 123), Sandia and Manzano Mountains (Zone 124), Central Highlands (Zone 125), and East Central Plains (Zone 126) Thursday from 11 AM until 8 PM MDT.

* 20 FOOT WINDS...West and southwest winds 25 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Wind direction veering out of the northwest late in the day.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values around 4 to 12 percent.

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

* AFFECTED AREAS: NORTHEAST PLAINS ... SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ... NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS ... SANDIA AND MANZANO MOUNTAINS ... CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ... EAST CENTRAL PLAINS

Instructions:

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