Critical Fire Weather Forecast for Parts of New Mexico

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The National Weather Service has issued a critical fire weather warning for parts of eastern New Mexico on Tuesday due to dry conditions and strong winds. A cold front moving in on Tuesday night will shift winds to the north, bringing the potential for blowing dust. Cooler temperatures are expected on Wednesday, but another storm system on Thursday will bring increased southwest winds across the state.

Why it matters

Dry, windy conditions significantly raise the risk of wildfires spreading rapidly in the region. New Mexico has experienced several devastating wildfires in recent years, so any forecasts of critical fire weather are taken very seriously by local officials and residents.

The details

The critical fire weather conditions are expected to peak on Tuesday afternoon, with sustained winds of 15-20 mph and gusts up to 30 mph across the eastern plains. A cold front moving in on Tuesday night will shift the winds to the north, bringing the potential for patchy blowing dust in Quay, Union, and Harding counties. Temperatures will be closer to average on Wednesday with lighter winds, but another storm system on Thursday will bring increased southwest winds of 15-25 mph statewide, with stronger gusts possible in the northeast plains and highlands.

• On Tuesday afternoon, critical fire weather conditions are expected across eastern New Mexico.
• On Tuesday night, a cold front will move into eastern New Mexico, shifting winds to the north.
• On Wednesday, cooler air will settle in behind the front, bringing high temperatures closer to average for early March.
• On Thursday, another storm system moving south from the Pacific Northwest will cause southwest winds to increase across the state.