Weather Alert in New Mexico

Recent Locations: Cerro, NM

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

AREAS AFFECTED: Northeast Plains; Northeast 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...Northeast Plains (Zone 104) and Northeast Highlands (Zone 123) for the remainder of this afternoon until 8 PM this evening, and Saturday from noon until 10 PM. * 20 FOOT WINDS...For the remainder of today, west and northwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. The strongest winds will be south of Highway 56 late this afternoon. For Saturday, southwest and west winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. The strongest winds on Saturday will occur during the evening. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values between 7 and 12 percent today, then between 7 and 9 percent Saturday. * 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 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 Contrails?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Contrails

Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds

A contrail is an artificial cloud, created by the passing of an aircraft.

Contrails form because water vapor in the exhaust of aircraft engines is suspended in the air under certain temperatures and humidity conditions. These contrails are called exhaust contrails.

Another type of contrail can form due to a temporary reduction in air pressure moving over the plane's surface, causing condensation. These are called aerodynamic contrails.

When you can see your breath on a cold day, it is also because of condensation. The reason contrails last longer than the condensation from your breath is because the water in contrails freezes into ice particles.

Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds

Weather Topic: What are Cumulus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Cumulus Clouds

Next Topic: Drizzle

Cumulus clouds are fluffy and textured with rounded tops, and may have flat bottoms. The border of a cumulus cloud is clearly defined, and can have the appearance of cotton or cauliflower.

Cumulus clouds form at low altitudes (rarely above 2 km) but can grow very tall, becoming cumulus congestus and possibly the even taller cumulonimbus clouds. When cumulus clouds become taller, they have a greater chance of producing precipitation.

Next Topic: Drizzle