Hidalgo County, NM

In effect from Thursday 04/23 10:00 AM MDT – Thursday 04/23 8:00 PM MDT

Issued by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM

CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS POSSIBLE THURSDAY FOR LINCOLN NATIONAL FOREST

Dry and breezy weather pattern Wednesday and Thursday will set the stage for near-critical to critical fire weather conditions in the Lincoln National Forest for Thursday. A shortwave trough coming across the Southern Rockies will induce surface low pressure in the Southern Plains on Thursday. West winds of 20 to 25 mph are forecast with gusts to 35 mph during the afternoon. Minimum relative humidity values of 7 to 15 percent are forecast. Widespread tree mortality and dieback fuels will increase the wildfire risk as ERCs climb towards the 90th percentile.

The National Weather Service in El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa has issued a Fire Weather Watch for Southwest and South Central New Mexico, which is in effect from Thursday morning through Thursday evening.

Affected Area

New Mexico Fire Weather Zones 110, 111, and 112, including the Southwest Mountains and Gila NF, the Southwest Deserts and Lowlands, the South Central Lowlands and Southern Rio Grande Valley.

Timing

winds increasing after 10 am, and peaking in the late afternoon hours.

Winds

West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 30 to 35 mph.

Relative Humidity

As low as 7 percent.

Temperatures

in the lower to mid 80s.

Experimental Rfti

3 to 5, Near Critical to Critical.

Impacts

any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

What to do

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings.

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