FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH THURSDAY FROM 11 AM UNTIL 8 PM MDT FOR AREAS ALONG AND EAST OF THE CENTRAL MOUNTAIN CHAIN 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 values plummet into the single-digits and high temperatures reach around 25 to 30 degrees above average.

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Fire Weather Watch...which is in effect from Thursday morning through Thursday evening.

* AREA AND TIMING...Sandia and Manzano Mountains (Zone 124) and East Central Plains (Zone 126) Thursday from 11 AM until 8 PM MDT.

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

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values around 4 to 5 percent.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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