Weather Alert in New Mexico

Recent Locations: Cerro, NM

Red Flag Warning issued March 12 at 1:37PM MDT until March 13 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM

AREAS AFFECTED: Central Highlands

DESCRIPTION: ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM TODAY EAST OF THE CENTRAL MOUNTAIN CHAIN DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY... ...RED FLAG WARNING FRIDAY FROM NOON UNTIL 8 PM FOR THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH SATURDAY FROM NOON UNTIL 10 PM FOR WEST CENTRAL NM, NORTHERN NM, SANDIA AND MANZANO MOUNTAINS, AND CENTRAL HIGHLANDS DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY... .Brisk northwest flow aloft, a lee-side surface trough, single digit humidities, and ample atmospheric mixing with high temperatures 8 to 15 degrees above 1991-2020 averages will cause critical fire weather conditions to continue east of the central mountain chain this afternoon through early evening. Winds will weaken most places on Friday, but they will remain strong enough for another round of critical fire weather conditions in the Central Highlands during the afternoon and early evening. Critical fire weather conditions will then become more extreme and widespread this weekend as a sharp upper level trough crossing the northern and central Rockies steers a strong jetstream over New Mexico with a potent surface trough in the lee of the southern Rockies. * AREA AND TIMING...Central Highlands (Zone 125) for the remainder of this afternoon until 8 PM this evening, Friday from noon until 8 PM, and on Saturday from noon until 10 PM. * 20 FOOT WINDS...West northwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph today and Friday, then up to 55 mph Saturday with the strongest winds Saturday evening. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values today between 10 and 13 percent, then Friday and Saturday between 8 and 9 percent. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. On Saturday, Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and will be hard to control. Long range spotting and extreme fire behavior will be possible. Outdoor burning should not be done.

INSTRUCTION: Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Red Flag Warning. Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Fire Weather Watch.

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Weather Topic: What are Wall Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Wall Clouds

Wall Clouds Next Topic: Altocumulus Clouds

A wall cloud forms underneath the base of a cumulonimbus cloud, and can be a hotbed for deadly tornadoes.

Wall clouds are formed by air flowing into the cumulonimbus clouds, which can result in the wall cloud descending from the base of the cumulonimbus cloud, or rising fractus clouds which join to the base of the storm cloud as the wall cloud takes shape.

Wall clouds can be very large, and in the Northern Hemisphere they generally form at the southern edge of cumulonimbus clouds.

Next Topic: Altocumulus Clouds

Weather Topic: What are Altostratus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Altostratus Clouds

Next Topic: Cirrocumulus Clouds

Altostratus clouds form at mid to high-level altitudes (between 2 and 7 km) and are created by a warm, stable air mass which causes water vapor to condense as it rise through the atmosphere. Usually altostratus clouds are featureless sheets characterized by a uniform color.

In some cases, wind punching through the cloud formation may give it a waved appearance, called altostratus undulatus. Altostratus clouds are commonly seen with other cloud formations accompanying them.

Next Topic: Cirrocumulus Clouds