RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY FROM NOON UNTIL 7 PM MDT FOR THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY AND THE SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, AND HIGH FIRE DANGER. . FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE SUNDAY MORNING UNTIL SUNDAY EVENING FOR THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY, WEST CENTRAL BASIN AND RANGE, SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, AND CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, AND HIGH FIRE DANGER. .Southwest to west winds will trend stronger Saturday afternoon, with gusts of 30 to 40 mph overlapping with an area of single digit relative humidity in south-central New Mexico. Six to twelve hours of single-digit relative humidity will occur in the southern portion of the Middle Rio Grande Valley zone Saturday afternoon. Rapid fire spread will be possible from any new spark as a result mainly through Socorro and Lincoln Counties Saturday afternoon. Southwest winds strengthen further, expanding the area of critical fire weather to west-central NM and the central highlands. Minimum humidity again falls into the single-digits for six to twelve hours Sunday afternoon and early evening. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Red Flag Warning. which is in effect from noon to 7 PM MDT Saturday. A Fire Weather Watch has also been issued. This Fire Weather Watch is in effect from Sunday morning through Sunday evening. * AREA AND TIMING. Sandia and Manzano Mountains (Zone 124) Saturday from 12PM to 7PM MDT and Sunday 11AM to 9PM MDT. * 20 FOOT WINDS. Southwest to west winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts to around 30 to 40 mph both days. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY. 6 to 11 percent both days. * IMPACTS. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
