969
FNUS54 KEPZ 182108
FWFEPZ
FIRE WEATHER PLANNING FORECAST FOR NEW MEXICO AND FAR WEST TEXAS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EL PASO TX/SANTA TERESA NM
308 PM MDT WED MAR 18 2026
DISCUSSION
UPPER LEVEL RIDGING WILL BRING INCREASINGLY HOT AND DRY CONDITIONS
TO THE AREA, PEAKING FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY WITH HIGHS 20 TO 25
DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL. MINIMUM RH VALUES WILL RANGE FROM AROUND 4 TO
8 PERCENT IN THE LOWLANDS THIS WEEKEND, AND 8 TO 10 PERCENT IN THE
HIGHER TERRAIN. HOWEVER, WINDS WILL BE LIGHT THROUGH THE PERIOD,
MITIGATING IMMEDIATE FIRE WEATHER CONCERNS. BUT THE STRETCH OF HOT
AND DRY WEATHER WILL ALLOW FUELS TO DRY RAPIDLY, LEADING TO HIGHER
WILDFIRE RISK ON ANY FUTURE WINDY DAYS.
TEMPERATURES LOOK TO COOL SLIGHTLY FROM MONDAY, BUT WILL STAY 10 TO
15 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL.
...PERCENTAGES SHOWN IN THE SKY/WEATHER PORTION REFLECT
SKY COVER AMOUNT...
...MEAN ELEVATIONS USED TO OBTAIN MIXING HEIGHTS AS FOLLOWS:
ZONE 110 - RESERVE (5900 FT)
ZONE 111 - DEMING (4300 FT)
ZONE 112 - LAS CRUCES(3900 FT)
ZONE 113 - RUIDOSO (6900 FT)
VENTILATION CATEGORIES ARE DETERMINED BY CRITERIA ESTABLISHED
BY THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.
NMZ110-191145-
SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS/GILA NF/APACHE NF/GLZ-
308 PM MDT WED MAR 18 2026
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR (15-25 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....43-48.
* BELOW 7500 FT....45-50.
* 24 HR TREND......4 DEGREES WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....24-29 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....30-35 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......2 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 10 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
THURSDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........PARTLY CLOUDY (30-40 PERCENT) UNTIL 1100,
THEN MOSTLY SUNNY (10-20 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....75-80.
* BELOW 7500 FT....83-88.
* 24 HR TREND......4 DEGREES WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....4-8 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....5-9 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......4 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE EAST
IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 7 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2600 FT AGL INCREASING TO 9500 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHEAST AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (65600 KNOT-FT).
THURSDAY NIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR (10-20 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....45-50.
* BELOW 7500 FT....47-52.
* MAX HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....17-22 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....23-28 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
NORTHWEST AFTER MIDNIGHT.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 15 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
FRIDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY (10-20 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....78-83.
* BELOW 7500 FT....86-91.
* MIN HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....4-6 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....4-6 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTH WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 15 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2800 FT AGL INCREASING TO 11700 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTH AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (99900 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
SATURDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 48 TO 53. HIGHS 84 TO 89. WEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
SUNDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 48 TO 53. HIGHS 79 TO 84. WEST WINDS 5 TO
10 MPH.
MONDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 45 TO 50. HIGHS 75 TO 80. SOUTHWEST
WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
NMZ111-191145-
SOUTHWEST DESERTS AND LOWLANDS/LAS CRUCES BLM/GLZ-
308 PM MDT WED MAR 18 2026
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR (15-25 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....50-55.
* 24 HR TREND......4 DEGREES WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........32-37 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......7 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTHEAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
NORTHEAST AFTER MIDNIGHT.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHEAST 13 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
THURSDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY (10-20 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....86-90.
* 24 HR TREND......4 DEGREES WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........7-9 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......2 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
SOUTHEAST IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHEAST 12 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2000 FT AGL INCREASING TO 7800 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....EAST AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......FAIR (45300 KNOT-FT).
THURSDAY NIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR (10-20 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....52-57.
* MAX HUMIDITY........26-31 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE WEST
AFTER MIDNIGHT.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 10 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
FRIDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY (10-20 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....91-95.
* MIN HUMIDITY........4-6 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 10 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......1900 FT AGL INCREASING TO 9400 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTH AROUND 5 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......FAIR (54600 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
SATURDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 52 TO 57. HIGHS IN THE 90S. NORTHWEST
WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
SUNDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 55 TO 60. HIGHS 90 TO 95. WEST WINDS AROUND
5 MPH.
MONDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER TO MID 50S. HIGHS IN
THE 80S. SOUTH WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
NMZ112-191145-
SOUTH CENTRAL LOWLANDS AND SOUTHERN RIO GRANDE VALLEY/BLM/GLZ-
308 PM MDT WED MAR 18 2026
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR (15-25 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....49-54.
* 24 HR TREND......5 DEGREES WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........30-35 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......2 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......EAST WINDS AROUND 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
NORTH AFTER MIDNIGHT.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 13 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
THURSDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY (10-20 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....87-91.
* 24 HR TREND......4 DEGREES WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........6-8 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......3 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 8 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2100 FT AGL INCREASING TO 8200 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTH AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......FAIR (51500 KNOT-FT).
THURSDAY NIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR (15-25 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....51-56.
* MAX HUMIDITY........22-27 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 13 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
FRIDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (5-15 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....90-95.
* MIN HUMIDITY........4-6 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 13 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2000 FT AGL INCREASING TO 9100 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHWEST AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......FAIR (58700 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
SATURDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 52 TO 57. HIGHS 92 TO 97. SOUTH WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
SUNDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 54 TO 59. HIGHS 90 TO 95. WEST WINDS AROUND
5 MPH.
MONDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 49 TO 54. HIGHS 81 TO 86. SOUTHEAST
WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
NMZ113-191145-
CAPITAN AND SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS/LINCOLN NF/LNZ-
308 PM MDT WED MAR 18 2026
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR (10-20 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....42-47.
* BELOW 7500 FT....49-54.
* 24 HR TREND......5 DEGREES WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....34-39 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....25-30 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......3 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTHEAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
WEST AFTER MIDNIGHT.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 14 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
THURSDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY (10-20 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....72-77.
* BELOW 7500 FT....81-86.
* 24 HR TREND......6 DEGREES WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....8-12 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....4-8 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......6 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 14 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......3700 FT AGL INCREASING TO 9800 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHWEST AROUND 20 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (77600 KNOT-FT).
THURSDAY NIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR (10-20 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....44-49.
* BELOW 7500 FT....50-55.
* MAX HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....21-26 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....15-20 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 23 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
FRIDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....74-79.
* BELOW 7500 FT....84-89.
* MIN HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....6-8 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....4-6 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHWEST WINDS AROUND 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
NORTH IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 20 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......3700 FT AGL INCREASING TO 11400 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTH AROUND 15 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (82200 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
SATURDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 50 TO 55. HIGHS 83 TO 88. WEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
SUNDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 52 TO 57. HIGHS 80 TO 85. WEST WINDS AROUND
10 MPH.
MONDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 40 TO 45. HIGHS 71 TO 76. SOUTHEAST
WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.
TXZ055-191145-
TEXAS FIRE WEATHER ZONE 055
EL PASO COUNTY-
308 PM MDT WED MAR 18 2026
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........CLEAR (0-10 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....52-57.
* 24 HR TREND......8 DEGREES WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........29-34 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......UNCHANGED.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......EAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHEAST 10 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
THURSDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....87-91.
* 24 HR TREND......3 DEGREES WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........8-13 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......2 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
WEST IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHEAST 9 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......1900 FT AGL INCREASING TO 7500 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTHEAST AROUND 5 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......POOR (34800 KNOT-FT).
THURSDAY NIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR (10-20 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....55-60.
* MAX HUMIDITY........21-26 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
SOUTH AFTER MIDNIGHT.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 12 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
FRIDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY (10-20 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....91-95.
* MIN HUMIDITY........5-10 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE WEST
IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 9 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......1600 FT AGL INCREASING TO 8200 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTHWEST AROUND 5 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......FAIR (42200 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
SATURDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 56 TO 61. HIGHS IN THE MID TO UPPER 90S.
SOUTH WINDS 5 MPH.
SUNDAY
CLEAR. LOWS NEAR 60. HIGHS IN THE 90S. SOUTHWEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
MONDAY
NOT AS WARM. MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID TO UPPER
50S. HIGHS IN THE 80S. EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
TXZ056-191145-
TEXAS FIRE WEATHER ZONE 056
HUDSPETH COUNTY-
308 PM MDT WED MAR 18 2026
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........CLEAR (5-15 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....48-53.
* 24 HR TREND......7 DEGREES WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........33-38 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......2 PERCENT WETTER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......EAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHEAST 13 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
THURSDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....86-91.
* 24 HR TREND......5 DEGREES WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........7-9 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......4 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
SOUTHWEST IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHEAST 12 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2000 FT AGL INCREASING TO 8800 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTH AROUND 5 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......FAIR (47600 KNOT-FT).
THURSDAY NIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR (10-20 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....50-55.
* MAX HUMIDITY........25-30 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 12 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
FRIDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY (10-20 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....90-95.
* MIN HUMIDITY........5-7 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 8 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2000 FT AGL INCREASING TO 11300 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....WEST AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (64000 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
SATURDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 52 TO 57. HIGHS 91 TO 96. SOUTH WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
SUNDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 55 TO 60. HIGHS 91 TO 96. SOUTHWEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
MONDAY
NOT AS WARM. MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS NEAR 50. HIGHS 80 TO
85. EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
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