Update: Red Flag Fire Weather Warning plus High Winds for Saturday 4/12 - Noon to 9 pm

Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 11 April 2014 11 April 2014

Urgent - fire weather message national weather service el paso tx/santa teresa nm717 am mdt fri apr 11 2014

...Saturday will be a critical fire weather day as extremely dry conditions continue in the meantime...

.Extremely dry conditions and above normal temperatures will continue today with minimum rh values dropping into the singledigits again even in the higher terrain. Rh recovery was poor last night and will be poor again as high clouds move in overnight and limit cooling. An upper level disturbance will bring increasing southwest winds to the area on Saturday. The addition of strong winds to the already dry conditions will lead to critical fire weather conditions Saturday.

Southwest mountains-southwest deserts and lowlands-south central lowlands and southern rio grande valley-capitan and sacramento mountains-el paso-hudspeth-717 am mdt fri apr 11 2014

...Red flag warning in effect from noon to 9 pm mdt Saturday due to strong winds and low humidity...

The national weather service in el paso tx/santa teresa has issued a red flag warning...which is in effect from noon to 9 pm mdt Saturday. This upgrades the fire weather watch previously in effect.

* Area affected: southwest and south-central new mexico including fire weather zones 110...111...112...and 113. Far west Texas including fire weather zones 055 and 056.

* Timing: Saturday from noon to 9 pm mdt.

* Wind: southwest 20 to 30 mph at the 20-foot level with gusts 35 to 40 mph. Strongest in the afternoon and along east-facing slopes.

* Humidity: minimum rh 8 to 13 percent saturday with extremely dry conditions friday and poor overnight recovery friday night.

* Impacts...any on-going fires or new fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditionsare either occurring now...or will shortly. A combination ofstrong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures willcreate extreme fire growth potential.

Wind Advisory:

Strong winds...widespread dust...and elevated wildfire concerns for southern New Mexico and far west Texas Saturday afternoon...

An approaching upper-level pacific trough will make a slow sweep across the southwestern US Saturday strengthening winds and lifting dust. Warm and dry conditions in concert with these strong winds will significantly elevate wildfire danger. Strong southwest winds aloft will mix down to the surface by mid day saturday andbring wind speeds up to 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 50 mph. These winds...and vertical mixing...are expected to lift dust and carryit over the borderland leading to widespread blowing dust andreduced visibility. Winds will begin to diminish a couple hoursafter sunset...but stay breezy to somewhat windy over east slopesdownwind of north-south ridges.

* Event: strong southwest wind event with widespread blowing dust. Southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts 45 to 55 mph.

* Visibility: dropping to 1 to 3 miles by mid afternoon. Localized areas under 1/2 mile near active dust sources including plowed fields and construction sites. Visibility will improve after sunset.

* Timing: winds will increase through the late morning hours and become the strongest in the mid and late afternoon hours..peaking between 3 pm and 7 pm before diminishing in the evening hours. Winds will remain stronger later into the night in areas east of mountain ranges.

* Impact: strong winds will create hazardous driving conditions for for drivers of high profile vehicles and motorcycles. Blowing dust will also restrict visibilities. Wildfire danger will be greatly elevated...be careful with flames and sparks.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A wind advisory means that winds of 30 mph are expected. Windsthis strong can make driving difficult...especially for highprofile vehicles. Use extra caution.

 

 

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