...FIRE WEATHER WATCH SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MID EVENING ALONG AND WEST OF THE I-25 CORRIDOR (BELOW SNOWPACK) AND IN THE SANDIA AND MANZANO MOUNTAINS DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY...

.A weather pattern conducive for large fire growth will develop Sunday through mid week as a broad trough develops over the western United States keeping the flow over New Mexico dry and windy. The strongest winds Sunday will favor central and western areas, where high temperatures will climb near to around 7 degrees above 1991-2020 averages. Peak south and southwest wind gusts could reach from 45 to 55 mph with the potential for extreme fire weather conditions.

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

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

* AREA AND TIMING...Below snowpack along and west of the I-25 corridor (Zones 101,120-123, 105, 106, and 109) and the Sandia and Manzano Mountains (Zone 124) from noon until 10 PM MDT. The most critical conditions will occur during mid to late after noon when winds will be strongest.

* 20 FOOT WINDS...South and southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts from 45 to 55 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...8-15 percent, except up to 20 percent near the Colorado border.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and will be hard to control. Long range spotting and extreme fire behavior will be possible. Outdoor burning should not be done.

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