Red flag warning issued for some parts of New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – After monsoon rains brought New Mexicans some much-needed relief, the heat is back. 

“Our unusual summer continues, and we have a red flag warning in effect for today. That means that we are expecting conditions to be very dry, with humidity values below 15%, which is really unprecedented for this time of year, along with strong southeast winds,” said Brian Guyer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque.  

Guyer says gusty winds, high temps, and dry air are the perfect recipe for critical fire weather. The atypical weather for August has parts of New Mexico under a red flag warning.

“Monsoon has really been very slow to begin, we did actually have a period of critical fire weather early in the month of August as well, and we issued some red flag warnings for that. That was the first time that the National Weather Service in Albuquerque has ever issued red flag warnings in the month of August,” said Guyer. 

While New Mexicans are no stranger to critical fire weather, we don’t see it this late in the year – prompting the National Weather Service to remind people about fire safety. 

“Folks may be out doing some things around their properties, their ranches or even having a BBQ. So folks need to be really careful with open flames and sparks as conditions are so dry across the area right now,” Guyer said.  

He says we may not be out of the woods for a while.

“Unfortunately, it does look like we are probably not done with at least the heat for now. As we go into the remainder of the week there are some chances for an increase in showers and thunderstorms over the area,” said Guyer.  

And we could see record high temperatures again towards the end of the week.