Headline:
Fire Weather Watch issued April 22 at 5:54AM MDT until April 23 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Event:
Fire Weather Watch
Urgency:
Future
Effective:
April 22, 2026 - 4:54am
Expires:
April 22, 2026 - 7:00pm
Description:
ADDED UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY AND WEST CENTRAL BASIN AND RANGE TO
THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR THURSDAY
...RED FLAG WARNING TODAY FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT FOR THE CENTRAL
HIGHLANDS, EAST CENTRAL PLAINS, AND FROM THE UPPER RIO GRANDE
VALLEY EASTWARD DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH THURSDAY FROM 9 AM TO 8 PM MDT FOR THE UPPER
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, WEST CENTRAL BASIN AND RANGE, AND ALONG AND
EAST OF THE CENTRAL MOUNTAIN CHAIN DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW
HUMIDITY...
.An active storm track over the northern and central Rockies will
strengthen the flow aloft over New Mexico today and moreso
Thursday, while a potent surface trough persists in the lee of the
southern Rockies. This will result in southwest wind gusts up to
45 mph today, and west and northwest wind gusts up to 55 mph on
Thursday, while humidities plummet mostly into the single digits
both days. The strongest winds aloft are now forecast to cross
western areas tonight, so the Fire Weather Watch that was in
effect for much of central and northwest New Mexico today has been
cancelled. However, locally critical fire weather conditions are
still likely today, especially in the northwest mountains and
along and west of the continental divide.
* AREA AND TIMING...Sandia and Manzano Mountains (Zone 124)
Thursday from 9 AM to 8 PM MDT.
* 20 FOOT WINDS...West winds 20 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 50
mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values around 9 percent.
* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Instruction:
Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Fire Weather Watch.
Area Description:
Sandia and Manzano Mountains
Forcast Office:
NWS Albuquerque NM
Sender:
w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov