Alert archive / New Mexico / Red Flag Warnings in 2021

Red Flag Warning 12, NWS Albuquerque, NM

April 4, 20214 counties in New Mexico

NWS Albuquerque, NM issued this red flag warning at Apr 4, 2021, 1:47 PM MST for 4 counties in New Mexico. It took effect at Apr 5, 2021, 1:00 PM MST. It was in force for 6 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Apr 4, 2021, 1:47 PM MST (20:47 UTC)
In effect from
Apr 5, 2021, 1:00 PM MST
Expired
Apr 5, 2021, 7:00 PM MST
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Albuquerque, NM

Counties Cibola County, NM, McKinley County, NM, San Juan County, NM, Sandoval County, NM

The radar

The Albuquerque radar (KABX), 111 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:51 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Albuquerq/Krtlnd, NM (KABQ), launched 12:00Z, 8.8 hours before the alert went out and 134 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Albuquerq/Krtlnd, NM at 12:00Z on 2021-04-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Albuquerq/Krtlnd, NM at 12:00Z on 2021-04-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 39 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
2413 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
17 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
39 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
17 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

139 
WWUS85 KABQ 042047
RFWABQ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
247 PM MDT Sun Apr 4 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FOR MONDAY AFTERNOON AND EARLY 
EVENING FOR THE NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW 
HUMIDITY AND AN UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE...

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FOR TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EARLY
EVENING FOR ALL OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL NEW MEXICO (AREAS BELOW
SNOWPACK) DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY...

.Winds aloft will strengthen on Monday, especially in western New
Mexico. As the afternoon progresses, temperatures will warm well
above average with strong winds and very dry air mixing down to
the surface. As afternoon humidity plummets and the strong winds 
develop, several hours of critical fire weather conditions are
expected Monday afternoon across the Northwest Highlands, 
especially west of the Continental Divide.

Into Tuesday, winds aloft will continue to strengthen as a Pacific
low crosses the central Rockies. This will spread windy conditions
over all of northern and central New Mexico with very dry air
continuing to mix into the state. This will lead to a widespread
critical fire weather event Tuesday afternoon and through the 
early evening.

NMZ105-051300-
/O.UPG.KABQ.FW.A.0011.210405T2000Z-210406T0200Z/
/O.NEW.KABQ.FW.W.0012.210405T2000Z-210406T0200Z/
/O.NEW.KABQ.FW.A.0012.210406T1800Z-210407T0200Z/
Northwest Highlands-
247 PM MDT Sun Apr 4 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM MDT MONDAY...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
TUESDAY EVENING...

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Red Flag
Warning...which is in effect from 2 PM to 8 PM MDT Monday. A Fire
Weather Watch has also been issued. This Fire Weather Watch is in
effect from Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday evening.

* AREA AND TIMING...This includes the Northwest Highlands Monday
  afternoon through early evening and again on Tuesday afternoon
  through the early evening. 

* 20 FOOT WINDS...West to southwest 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 35
  mph on Monday with higher west winds of 20 to 30 mph with
  occasional gusts of 40 mph on Tuesday. 

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values between 6 and 10 percent each
  afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Red Flag Warning for Monday.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Fire Weather Watch for Tuesday.

&&

$$

NMZ101>104-106>109-051300-
/O.NEW.KABQ.FW.A.0012.210406T1800Z-210407T0200Z/
Northwest Plateau-North Central Mountains-Northeast Highlands-
Northeast Plains-Middle Rio Grande Valley-
Sandia, Manzano and Gallinas Mountains-East Central Plains-
West Central Highlands-
247 PM MDT Sun Apr 4 2021

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
TUESDAY EVENING...

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Fire
Weather Watch...which is in effect from Tuesday afternoon through
Tuesday evening. 

* AREA AND TIMING...All of northern and central New Mexico for
  Tuesday afternoon through the early evening.

* 20 FOOT WINDS...Sustained west winds at 20 to 35 mph with
  occasional gusts of 40 to 50 mph. Locally higher speeds will be
  possible in the central highlands near Clines Corners.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Dropping below 10 percent over much of
  northern and central New Mexico with portions of the Rio Grande
  valley falling to less than 5 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Fire Weather Watch.

&&

$$
3 follow-up statements
804 
WWUS85 KABQ 050803
RFWABQ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
203 AM MDT Mon Apr 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT BETWEEN 2PM AND 8PM TODAY FOR THE 
NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND AN 
UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE...

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT BETWEEN 11AM AND 8PM TUESDAY FOR 
ALL OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL NEW MEXICO BELOW SNOWPACK DUE TO 
STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND AN UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE...

.Winds aloft will strengthen today, especially over western New 
Mexico. As the afternoon progresses, temperatures will warm well 
above average with strong winds and very dry air mixing down to 
the surface. As afternoon humidity plummets and the strong winds 
develop, several hours of critical fire weather conditions are 
expected across the Northwest Highlands, especially west of the 
Continental Divide.

On Tuesday, winds aloft will continue to strengthen as a Pacific 
low crosses the central Rockies. This will spread windy conditions
over all of northern and central New Mexico while very dry air 
persists. This will lead to a widespread critical fire weather 
event from the late morning hours through the early evening hours.

NMZ105-052130-
/O.UPG.KABQ.FW.A.0012.210406T1800Z-210407T0200Z/
/O.NEW.KABQ.FW.W.0013.210406T1700Z-210407T0200Z/
/O.CON.KABQ.FW.W.0012.210405T2000Z-210406T0200Z/
Northwest Highlands-
203 AM MDT Mon Apr 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM MDT THIS EVENING...
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MDT TUESDAY...

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Red Flag
Warning...which is in effect from 11 AM to 8 PM MDT Tuesday. The
Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. 

* AREA AND TIMING...This includes the Northwest Highlands this
  afternoon through early evening and again on Tuesday from the
  late morning hours through early evening. 

* 20 FOOT WINDS...West to southwest 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 35
  mph today with higher west winds of 20 to 30 mph with 
  occasional gusts of 40 mph on Tuesday. 

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values between 6 and 10 percent 
  each afternoon. 

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

NMZ101>104-106>109-052130-
/O.UPG.KABQ.FW.A.0012.210406T1800Z-210407T0200Z/
/O.NEW.KABQ.FW.W.0013.210406T1700Z-210407T0200Z/
Northwest Plateau-North Central Mountains-Northeast Highlands-
Northeast Plains-Middle Rio Grande Valley-
Sandia, Manzano and Gallinas Mountains-East Central Plains-
West Central Highlands-
203 AM MDT Mon Apr 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MDT TUESDAY...

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Red Flag
Warning...which is in effect from 11 AM to 8 PM MDT Tuesday. The
Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. 

* AREA AND TIMING...All of northern and central New Mexico below
  snowpack late Tuesday morning through early evening. 

* 20 FOOT WINDS...Sustained west winds at 20 to 35 mph with 
  occasional gusts of 40 to 50 mph. Locally higher speeds will 
  be possible in the central highlands near Clines Corners. 

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Dropping below 10 percent over much of
  northern and central New Mexico with portions of the Rio Grande
  Valley falling to less than 5 percent. 

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

34
162 
WWUS85 KABQ 052055
RFWABQ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
255 PM MDT Mon Apr 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8PM THIS EVENING FOR 
THE NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND AN 
UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE...

...RED FLAG WARNING TUESDAY FROM 11AM UNTIL 8PM FOR ALL OF 
NORTHERN AND CENTRAL NEW MEXICO BELOW SNOWPACK DUE TO STRONG 
WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND AN UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE...

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING FOR
THE NORTHWEST PLATEAU, NORTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, MIDDLE RIO GRANDE
VALLEY, SANDIA/MANZANO AND GALLINAS MOUNTAINS, AND EAST CENTRAL
PLAINS FOR STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY...

.A windy, warm, unstable, and very dry fire growing pattern
already underway for the Northwest Highlands will intensify and
become widespread Tuesday, then linger into Wednesday from
northwest to east central areas, as an upper level low pressure
system passing north of New Mexico steers the jet stream over the
state. Widespread poor humidity recoveries are expected tonight,
then around 5 to 12 hours of single digit humidities are expected
for many areas Tuesday and Wednesday. Red Flag Threat Indices 
will also peak from 7 to 9 across most of the forecast area
Tuesday. Winds will weaken Wednesday evening as the jet stream
exits the area.

NMZ105-060200-
/O.CON.KABQ.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-210406T0200Z/
/O.CON.KABQ.FW.W.0013.210406T1700Z-210407T0200Z/
Northwest Highlands-
255 PM MDT Mon Apr 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS
EVENING...
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MDT
TUESDAY...

* AREA AND TIMING...This includes the Northwest Highlands this 
  afternoon through early evening and again on Tuesday from the 
  late morning hours through early evening. 

* 20 FOOT WINDS...West to southwest 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 35
  mph today. Tuesday, west winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40
  mph are expected. 

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values between 6 and 10 percent 
  each afternoon. 

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

NMZ101-102-106>108-060200-
/O.NEW.KABQ.FW.A.0013.210407T1800Z-210408T0200Z/
/O.CON.KABQ.FW.W.0013.210406T1700Z-210407T0200Z/
Northwest Plateau-North Central Mountains-
Middle Rio Grande Valley-Sandia, Manzano and Gallinas Mountains-
East Central Plains-
255 PM MDT Mon Apr 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MDT
TUESDAY...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
WEDNESDAY EVENING...

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Fire
Weather Watch...which is in effect from Wednesday afternoon
through Wednesday evening. 

* AREA AND TIMING...Tuesday from late morning until early evening,
  and Wednesday afternoon and early evening for the Northwest
  Plateau; North Central Mountains; Middle Rio Grande Valley; 
  Sandia, Manzano and Gallinas Mountains; and east central plains.

* 20 FOOT WINDS...Sustained west winds at 20 to 35 mph with
  occasional gusts of 40 to 50 mph. Locally higher speeds will be
  possible in the central highlands near Clines Corners both days.
 
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Dropping below 10 percent over much of 
  northern and central New Mexico with portions of the Rio 
  Grande Valley falling to less than 5 percent. 

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

NMZ103-104-109-060200-
/O.CON.KABQ.FW.W.0013.210406T1700Z-210407T0200Z/
Northeast Highlands-Northeast Plains-West Central Highlands-
255 PM MDT Mon Apr 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MDT
TUESDAY...

* AREA AND TIMING...Northeast Highlands and Plains, and the West
  Central Highlands, Tuesday from late morning until early evening.
 
* 20 FOOT WINDS...Sustained west winds at 20 to 35 mph with gusts
  to 50 mph, except up to 45 mph in the Northwest Highlands 

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Dropping below 10 percent. 

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

44
713 
WWUS85 KABQ 060157
RFWABQ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
757 PM MDT Mon Apr 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING TUESDAY FROM 11AM UNTIL 8PM FOR ALL OF 
NORTHERN AND CENTRAL NEW MEXICO BELOW SNOWPACK DUE TO STRONG 
WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND AN UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE...

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING FOR
THE NORTHWEST PLATEAU, NORTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, MIDDLE RIO GRANDE
VALLEY, SANDIA/MANZANO AND GALLINAS MOUNTAINS, AND EAST CENTRAL
PLAINS FOR STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY...

.A windy, warm, unstable, and very dry fire growing pattern
already underway for the Northwest Highlands will intensify and
become widespread Tuesday, then linger into Wednesday from
northwest to east central areas, as an upper level low pressure
system passing north of New Mexico steers the jet stream over the
state. Widespread poor humidity recoveries are expected tonight,
then around 5 to 12 hours of single digit humidities are expected
for many areas Tuesday and Wednesday. Red Flag Threat Indices
will also peak from 7 to 9 across most of the forecast area
Tuesday. Winds will weaken Wednesday evening as the jet stream
exits the area.

NMZ105-061300-
/O.EXP.KABQ.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-210406T0200Z/
/O.CON.KABQ.FW.W.0013.210406T1700Z-210407T0200Z/
Northwest Highlands-
757 PM MDT Mon Apr 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MDT
TUESDAY...

* AREA AND TIMING...This includes the Northwest Highlands on 
  Tuesday from the late morning hours through early evening. 

* 20 FOOT WINDS...West winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph
  are expected. 

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values between 6 and 10 percent. 

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

NMZ101-102-106>108-061300-
/O.CON.KABQ.FW.W.0013.210406T1700Z-210407T0200Z/
/O.CON.KABQ.FW.A.0013.210407T1800Z-210408T0200Z/
Northwest Plateau-North Central Mountains-
Middle Rio Grande Valley-Sandia, Manzano and Gallinas Mountains-
East Central Plains-
757 PM MDT Mon Apr 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MDT
TUESDAY...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...

* AREA AND TIMING...Tuesday from late morning until early 
  evening, and Wednesday afternoon and early evening for the 
  Northwest Plateau; North Central Mountains; Middle Rio Grande 
  Valley; Sandia, Manzano and Gallinas Mountains; and east 
  central plains. 

* 20 FOOT WINDS...Sustained west winds at 20 to 35 mph with 
  occasional gusts of 40 to 50 mph. Locally higher speeds will 
  be possible in the central highlands near Clines Corners both 
  days. 

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Dropping below 10 percent over much of 
  northern and central New Mexico with portions of the Rio 
  Grande Valley falling to less than 5 percent. 

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

NMZ103-104-109-061300-
/O.CON.KABQ.FW.W.0013.210406T1700Z-210407T0200Z/
Northeast Highlands-Northeast Plains-West Central Highlands-
757 PM MDT Mon Apr 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MDT
TUESDAY...

* AREA AND TIMING...Northeast Highlands and Plains, and the West 
  Central Highlands, Tuesday from late morning until early 
  evening. 

* 20 FOOT WINDS...Sustained west winds at 20 to 35 mph with 
  gusts to 50 mph, except up to 45 mph in the Northwest 
  Highlands 

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Dropping below 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Albuquerque, NM issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 3, 5:36 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementABQQuay24 min
Apr 4, 2:17 AM MSTFire Weather WatchABQCibola, McKinley, Sandoval, San Juan12 hr
Apr 4, 1:47 PM MSTFire Weather WatchABQBernalillo, Catron, Cibola, Harding, McKinley, Rio Arriba and 6 more11 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in New Mexico, 2021Every red flag warning in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.