Alert archive / New Mexico / Red Flag Warnings in 2021

Red Flag Warning 6, NWS El Paso, TX

March 15, 20217 counties in New Mexico; El Paso County, Hudspeth County, Texas

NWS El Paso, TX issued this red flag warning at Mar 15, 2021, 3:23 AM MDT for 7 counties in New Mexico; El Paso County, Hudspeth County, Texas. It took effect at Mar 16, 2021, 12:00 PM MDT. It was in force for 8 hr. 11 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Mar 15, 2021, 3:23 AM MDT (09:23 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 16, 2021, 12:00 PM MDT
Expired
Mar 16, 2021, 8:00 PM MDT
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS El Paso, TX

Counties Doña Ana County, NM, Grant County, NM, Hidalgo County, NM, Lincoln County, NM, Luna County, NM, Otero County, NM, Sierra County, NM, El Paso County, TX, Hudspeth County, TX

The radar

The El Paso radar (KEPZ), 64 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:22 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Mar 16, 12:15 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 557 Ene Road Forks, NMMESONET STATION NM009 LORDSBURG PLAYA I10 MP9 (NMDOT).
Mar 16, 1:27 PM MDTDUST STORM5 S Canutillo, TXVISIBILITY LESS THAN 0.25 MI PER NWS EMPLOYEE.
Mar 16, 2:29 PM MDTDUST STORM4 Wnw El Paso, TXTXDOT CLOSES TRANSMOUNTAIN PASS BECAUSE OF WIND/VIS.
Mar 16, 2:55 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 582 Ssw Fort Stanton, NMKSRR AWOS.
Mar 16, 3:00 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 575 N El Paso, TXSPOTTER REPORTED 57 MPH WIND GUST.
Mar 16, 3:08 PM MDTDUST STORM10 Ese Mcnary, TXSOCIAL MEDIA REPORT OF ESTIMATED VIS AROUND 1 MILE FROM BLDU AT ESPERANZA EXIT OF I-10.
Mar 16, 3:33 PM MDTHIGH SUST WINDS 4118 Nne Encinoso, NM
Mar 16, 4:00 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND DMG2 Ssw El Paso, TXTIME ESTIMATED. DAMAGE TO CARPORT OR SHED IN NE EL PASO. REPORTED BY KVIA.
Mar 16, 4:00 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND DMG3 Nw Socorro, TXTIME ESTIMATED. BUILDING DAMAGE REPORTED BY KVIA AT FAMILY DOLLAR.
Mar 16, 4:15 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND DMG3 Ese Fort Bliss, TXREPORT FROM MPING: 1-INCH TREE LIMBS BROKEN; SHINGLES BLOWN OFF.
Mar 16, 4:55 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 632 Ssw Fort Stanton, NMKSRR AWOS.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Santa Teresa, NM (KEPZ), launched 00:00Z, 9.4 hours before the alert went out and 64 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, Santa Teresa, NM at 00:00Z on 2021-03-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Santa Teresa, NM at 00:00Z on 2021-03-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 56 square meters per square second.1939587897117136Sfc1 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
2859 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
90 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
56 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
98 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

725 
WWUS84 KEPZ 150923
RFWEPZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service El Paso TX/Santa Teresa NM
323 AM MDT Mon Mar 15 2021

...Critical fire conditions developing Tuesday afternoon...

.A Pacific storm system will move across northern New Mexico
Tuesday afternoon, bringing another round of strong winds across
the area. Winds will be strong area wide but the mountain zones
and lowland zones generally west of the Rio Grande should see min
relative humidities remain around 15 to 25 percent and remain a
bit shy of Red Flag criteria. The winds should diminish mid to
late evening on Tuesday. 

NMZ112-TXZ055-056-152200-
/O.NEW.KEPZ.FW.W.0006.210316T1800Z-210317T0200Z/
NEW MEXICO FIRE WEATHER ZONE 112 
 SOUTH CENTRAL LOWLANDS AND SOUTHERN RIO GRANDE VALLEY/BLM/GLZ-
TEXAS FIRE WEATHER ZONE 055 
 EL PASO COUNTY-TEXAS FIRE WEATHER ZONE 056 
 HUDSPETH COUNTY-
323 AM MDT Mon Mar 15 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT TUESDAY FOR
DRY AND WINDY CONDITIONS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 055, 056, AND 
112...

The National Weather Service in El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa has
issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from noon to 8 PM
MDT Tuesday. 

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire weather zone 112. Fire weather zone 
  055. Fire weather zone 056. 

* WIND...Winds mostly west 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

* HUMIDITY...9 to 14 percent. 

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

Hefner
4 follow-up statements
950 
WWUS84 KEPZ 151924
RFWEPZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service El Paso TX/Santa Teresa NM
124 PM MDT Mon Mar 15 2021

...Critical fire conditions developing Tuesday afternoon...

.A Pacific storm system will move across northern New Mexico
Tuesday afternoon, bringing another round of strong winds across
the area. Winds will be strong area wide but the mountain zones
should see min relative humidities remain around 15 to 25 percent
and remain a bit shy of Red Flag criteria. The winds should 
diminish mid to late evening on Tuesday.

NMZ111-160330-
/O.EXA.KEPZ.FW.W.0006.210316T1800Z-210317T0200Z/
NEW MEXICO FIRE WEATHER ZONE 111 
 SOUTHWEST DESERTS AND LOWLANDS/LAS CRUCES BLM/GLZ-
124 PM MDT Mon Mar 15 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT TUESDAY FOR
DRY AND WINDY CONDITIONS FOR SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO LOWLANDS AND FAR
WEST TEXAS...

The National Weather Service in El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa has
issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from noon to 8 PM
MDT Tuesday. 

* AFFECTED AREA...Southern New Mexico lowlands and far west Texas. 

* WIND...Winds mostly west 30 to 40 mph with gusts 55 mph.

* HUMIDITY...9 to 14 percent.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

NMZ112-TXZ055-056-160330-
/O.CON.KEPZ.FW.W.0006.210316T1800Z-210317T0200Z/
NEW MEXICO FIRE WEATHER ZONE 112 
 SOUTH CENTRAL LOWLANDS AND SOUTHERN RIO GRANDE VALLEY/BLM/GLZ-
TEXAS FIRE WEATHER ZONE 055 
 EL PASO COUNTY-TEXAS FIRE WEATHER ZONE 056 
 HUDSPETH COUNTY-
124 PM MDT Mon Mar 15 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT TUESDAY FOR
DRY AND WINDY CONDITIONS FOR SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO LOWLANDS AND FAR
WEST TEXAS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Southern New Mexico lowlands and far west Texas. 

* WIND...Winds mostly west 30 to 40 mph with gusts 55 to 65 mph.

* HUMIDITY...9 to 14 percent.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

BROWN
618 
WWUS84 KEPZ 160313
RFWEPZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service El Paso TX/Santa Teresa NM
913 PM MDT Mon Mar 15 2021

...Critical fire conditions will develop Tuesday afternoon...

.A Pacific storm system will move across northern New Mexico
Tuesday afternoon bringing another round of strong winds across 
the area. Winds will be strong area wide, but mountain zones 
will see min relative humidities around 15 to 25 percent and 
remain a bit shy of Red Flag criteria. The gusty winds will 
diminish mid to late evening on Tuesday.

NMZ111-112-TXZ055-056-161300-
/O.CON.KEPZ.FW.W.0006.210316T1800Z-210317T0200Z/
NEW MEXICO FIRE WEATHER ZONE 111 
 SOUTHWEST DESERTS AND LOWLANDS/LAS CRUCES BLM/GLZ-
NEW MEXICO FIRE WEATHER ZONE 112 
 SOUTH CENTRAL LOWLANDS AND SOUTHERN RIO GRANDE VALLEY/BLM/GLZ-
TEXAS FIRE WEATHER ZONE 055 
 EL PASO COUNTY-TEXAS FIRE WEATHER ZONE 056 
 HUDSPETH COUNTY-
913 PM MDT Mon Mar 15 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT
TUESDAY FOR DRY AND WINDY CONDITIONS FOR THE SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO
LOWLANDS AND FAR WEST TEXAS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Southern New Mexico lowland fire weather zones
  111 and 112, and far west Texas fire weather zones 055 and 056.

* WIND...Winds mostly west at 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 55 mph.
  Isolated gusts to 65mph will be possible across eastern areas.

* HUMIDITY...9 to 14 percent.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

Pegram
124 
WWUS84 KEPZ 161137
RFWEPZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service El Paso TX/Santa Teresa NM
537 AM MDT Tue Mar 16 2021

...Critical Fire Conditions Developing This Afternoon...

.Critical fire danger will take place today as a low pressure 
system sweeps across the region and strengthens winds under very 
dry conditions. Sustained west winds of 30 to 40 mph are expected 
today, with the strongest winds east of the Rio Grande late 
afternoon. Winds gusts of 50 to 60 mph will also be possible along
a passing cold front this afternoon. Strong winds will promote 
rapid fire spread in locations of susceptible fuels. Relative 
humidity will fall to 8-15% across much of the desert lowlands 
today, with minimum RH remaining above critical thresholds over 
the Gila Region due to isolated precipitation and cooler 
temperatures. Gusty winds will persist into early Wednesday 
morning before subsiding.

NMZ111-112-TXZ055-056-162100-
/O.CON.KEPZ.FW.W.0006.210316T1800Z-210317T0200Z/
NEW MEXICO FIRE WEATHER ZONE 111 
 SOUTHWEST DESERTS AND LOWLANDS/LAS CRUCES BLM/GLZ-
NEW MEXICO FIRE WEATHER ZONE 112 
 SOUTH CENTRAL LOWLANDS AND SOUTHERN RIO GRANDE VALLEY/BLM/GLZ-
TEXAS FIRE WEATHER ZONE 055 
 EL PASO COUNTY-TEXAS FIRE WEATHER ZONE 056 
 HUDSPETH COUNTY-
537 AM MDT Tue Mar 16 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM MDT
THIS EVENING FOR DRY AND WINDY CONDITIONS ACROSS THE SOUTHERN NEW
MEXICO LOWLANDS AND FAR WEST TEXAS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire weather zones 111 and 112 in southwest New
  Mexico, and fire weather zones 055 and 056 in far west Texas. 

* WIND...Sustained west winds at 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 55
  mph. Isolated gusts to 65 mph will be possible across far west
  Texas and the Tularosa Basin. 

* HUMIDITY...8 to 13 percent.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

Dennhardt
487 
WWUS84 KEPZ 162050
RFWEPZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service El Paso TX/Santa Teresa NM
250 PM MDT Tue Mar 16 2021

...Critical Fire Conditions Developing This Afternoon...

.Critical fire danger will take place today as a low pressure
system sweeps across the region and strengthens winds under very
dry conditions. Sustained west winds of 30 to 40 mph are expected
today, with the strongest winds east of the Rio Grande late
afternoon. Winds gusts of 50 to 60 mph will also be possible
along a passing cold front this afternoon. Strong winds will
promote rapid fire spread in locations of susceptible fuels.
Relative humidity will fall to 8-15% across much of the desert
lowlands today, with minimum RH remaining above critical
thresholds over the Gila Region due to isolated precipitation and
cooler temperatures. Gusty winds will persist into early
Wednesday morning before subsiding.

NMZ111-112-TXZ055-056-170200-
/O.CON.KEPZ.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-210317T0200Z/
NEW MEXICO FIRE WEATHER ZONE 111 
 SOUTHWEST DESERTS AND LOWLANDS/LAS CRUCES BLM/GLZ-
NEW MEXICO FIRE WEATHER ZONE 112 
 SOUTH CENTRAL LOWLANDS AND SOUTHERN RIO GRANDE VALLEY/BLM/GLZ-
TEXAS FIRE WEATHER ZONE 055 
 EL PASO COUNTY-TEXAS FIRE WEATHER ZONE 056 
 HUDSPETH COUNTY-
250 PM MDT Tue Mar 16 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR STRONG WIND AND LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 055, 056, 111, 
AND 112...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire weather zones 111 and 112 in southwest 
  NewMexico, and fire weather zones 055 and 056 in far west 
  Texas. 

* WIND...Sustained west winds at 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 55 
  mph. Isolated gusts to 65 mph will be possible across far 
  west Texas and the Tularosa Basin.

* HUMIDITY...8 to 13 percent.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS El Paso, TX issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 15, 3:24 AM MDTHigh Wind WatchEPZDoña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Otero, Sierra10 hr
Mar 15, 1:25 PM MDTBlowing Dust AdvisoryEPZDoña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Otero, Sierra25 hr
Mar 15, 1:25 PM MDTHigh Wind WarningEPZDoña Ana, Otero35 hr
Mar 15, 1:25 PM MDTWind AdvisoryEPZDoña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra30 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in New Mexico, 2021Red Flag Warnings in Texas, 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.