Weather Alert in New Mexico

Recent Locations: Hanover, MD   Wheatland, CA   Rowe, NM  

Red Flag Warning issued March 14 at 3:10PM MDT until March 15 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM

AREAS AFFECTED: Capitan And Sacramento Mountains

DESCRIPTION: ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS THIS WEEKEND FOR LINCOLN NATIONAL FOREST, PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO AND FAR WEST TEXAS... An approaching upper level disturbance will bring increasing west winds to the area this afternoon, and near-critical fire weather conditions to the lowlands. Winds will generally diminish after sunset, but stronger winds are expected to return to the Sacramento Mountains and nearby areas of New Mexico Fire Zone 113 late tonight into Sunday morning, while relative humidity values remain low. The timing of critical fire weather conditions is unusual. Also. rapid drying of fuels over Lincoln National Forest over the past few weeks have increased the risk of fire spread. A strong jet stream will continue crossing the central Rockies on Sunday, leading to more windy conditions in the afternoon, with conditions potentially reaching critical thresholds in the afternoon again, though winds will be on the lower end of critical. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 113 Capitan and Sacramento Mountains/Lincoln NF/LNZ. * TIMING...3 PM Saturday afternoon through 6 PM Sunday evening. * WINDS...West 20 to 30 with gusts to 40 mph this afternoon. Increasing in the predawn hours Sunday to 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 7 percent, with poor overnight recovery. * EXPERIMENTAL RFTI... 4 to 5 Near Critical to Critical. * IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

INSTRUCTION: 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.

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Weather Topic: What are Fractus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Fractus Clouds

Fractus Clouds Next Topic: Freezing Rain

A fractus cloud (scud) is a fragmented, tattered cloud which has likely been sheared off of another cloud. They are accessory clouds, meaning they develop from parent clouds, and are named in a way which describes the original cloud which contained them.

Fractus clouds which have originated from cumulus clouds are referred to as cumulus fractus, while fractus clouds which have originated from stratus clouds are referred to as stratus fractus. Under certain conditions a fractus cloud might merge with another cloud, or develop into a cumulus cloud, but usually a fractus cloud seen by itself will dissipate rapidly.

They are often observed on the leading and trailing edges of storm clouds, and are a display of wind activity.

Next Topic: Freezing Rain

Weather Topic: What is Graupel?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Graupel

Graupel Next Topic: Hail

Graupel is a form of precipitation that is created by atmospheric conditions which cause supercooled water droplets to contact snow crystals and freeze to their surface.

Sometimes known as soft hail or snow pellets, graupel is delicate and easily destroyed by touch. Whereas hail usually falls during severe weather, graupel doesn't require such conditions to form, and can form in mild precipitation similar to situations which produce snowfall.

Next Topic: Hail

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