156
FNUS54 KEPZ 172032
FWFEPZ
FIRE WEATHER PLANNING FORECAST FOR NEW MEXICO AND FAR WEST TEXAS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EL PASO TX/SANTA TERESA NM
232 PM MDT TUE MAR 17 2026
DISCUSSION
UPPER LEVEL RIDGING WILL BRING VERY HOT AND DRY CONDITIONS TO THE
AREA, PEAKING FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY WITH HIGHS 20 TO 25 DEGREES
ABOVE NORMAL, AND RH VALUES DROPPING TO AROUND 4 TO 8 PERCENT IN
THE LOWLANDS, AND 8 TO 10 PERCENT IN THE HIGHER TERRAIN. HOWEVER,
WINDS WILL BE LIGHT THROUGH THE PERIOD, MITIGATING IMMEDIATE FIRE
WEATHER CONCERNS.
THE LARGER SCALE ISSUE WILL BE THE RAPID DRYING OF FUELS, AND
WHERE THAT WILL LEAVE US WHEN WINDY DAYS INEVITABLY RETURN.
...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.
NMZ110-181130-
SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS/GILA NF/APACHE NF/GLZ-
232 PM MDT TUE MAR 17 2026
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR (10-20 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....39-44.
* BELOW 7500 FT....42-47.
* 24 HR TREND......11 DEGREES WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....31-36 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....34-39 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......12 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 29 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
WEDNESDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY (15-25 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....71-76.
* BELOW 7500 FT....79-84.
* 24 HR TREND......7 DEGREES WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....9-11 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....7-11 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......7 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 24 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......3000 FT AGL INCREASING TO 8300 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHEAST AROUND 20 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (84900 KNOT-FT).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR (15-25 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....42-47.
* BELOW 7500 FT....44-49.
* MAX HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....23-28 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....29-34 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTH WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 12 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
THURSDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY (10-20 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....76-81.
* BELOW 7500 FT....83-88.
* MIN HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....6-8 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....6-10 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 10 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2500 FT AGL INCREASING TO 9500 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTH AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (60600 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
FRIDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 46 TO 51. HIGHS 82 TO 87. NORTH WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
SATURDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 49 TO 54. HIGHS 83 TO 88. WEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
SUNDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 49 TO 54. HIGHS 80 TO 85. WEST WINDS
5 TO 10 MPH.
NMZ111-181130-
SOUTHWEST DESERTS AND LOWLANDS/LAS CRUCES BLM/GLZ-
232 PM MDT TUE MAR 17 2026
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR (10-20 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....46-51.
* 24 HR TREND......11 DEGREES WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........38-43 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......UNCHANGED.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHWEST WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 21 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
WEDNESDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY (5-15 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....82-86.
* 24 HR TREND......6 DEGREES WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........9-11 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......3 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
NORTHEAST IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHEAST 21 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2400 FT AGL INCREASING TO 8400 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHEAST AROUND 15 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (86000 KNOT-FT).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........CLEAR (5-15 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....48-53.
* MAX HUMIDITY........30-35 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTHEAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
NORTH AFTER MIDNIGHT.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 10 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
THURSDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (5-15 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....87-91.
* MIN HUMIDITY........7-9 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE EAST
IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHEAST 8 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2100 FT AGL INCREASING TO 7600 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHEAST AROUND 5 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......FAIR (42000 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
FRIDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 50 TO 55. HIGHS IN THE LOWER TO MID 90S.
NORTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
SATURDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 53 TO 58. HIGHS IN THE LOWER TO MID 90S.
NORTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
SUNDAY
CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID TO UPPER 50S. HIGHS 90 TO 95.
WEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
NMZ112-181130-
SOUTH CENTRAL LOWLANDS AND SOUTHERN RIO GRANDE VALLEY/BLM/GLZ-
232 PM MDT TUE MAR 17 2026
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR (10-20 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....44-49.
* 24 HR TREND......13 DEGREES WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........34-39 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......UNCHANGED.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
NORTH AFTER MIDNIGHT.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 24 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
WEDNESDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY (10-20 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....82-87.
* 24 HR TREND......9 DEGREES WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........9-11 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......2 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTH WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHEAST 18 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2600 FT AGL INCREASING TO 8500 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTH AROUND 20 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (77100 KNOT-FT).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR (10-20 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....48-53.
* MAX HUMIDITY........30-35 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......EAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
NORTHWEST AFTER MIDNIGHT.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 12 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
THURSDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY (10-20 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....87-92.
* MIN HUMIDITY........6-8 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 10 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2100 FT AGL INCREASING TO 7600 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTH AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......FAIR (41500 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
FRIDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 50 TO 55. HIGHS 89 TO 94. NORTHWEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
SATURDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 52 TO 57. HIGHS 91 TO 96. SOUTHWEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
SUNDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 54 TO 59. HIGHS 90 TO 95. NORTHWEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
NMZ113-181130-
CAPITAN AND SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS/LINCOLN NF/LNZ-
232 PM MDT TUE MAR 17 2026
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR (5-15 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....38-43.
* BELOW 7500 FT....44-49.
* 24 HR TREND......16 DEGREES WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....40-45 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....32-37 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......2 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 31 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
WEDNESDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY (10-20 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....67-72.
* BELOW 7500 FT....75-80.
* 24 HR TREND......5 DEGREES WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....15-19 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....10-14 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......4 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHEAST 14 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......3500 FT AGL INCREASING TO 8100 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHEAST AROUND 15 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......FAIR (59700 KNOT-FT).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........CLEAR (5-15 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....41-46.
* BELOW 7500 FT....47-52.
* MAX HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....34-39 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....26-31 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE WEST
AFTER MIDNIGHT.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 15 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.
* MIN HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....10-12 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....7-9 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHWEST WINDS AROUND 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
NORTH IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 12 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2900 FT AGL INCREASING TO 8900 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHWEST AROUND 15 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......FAIR (59800 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
FRIDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 48 TO 53. HIGHS 81 TO 86. NORTHWEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
SATURDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 49 TO 54. HIGHS 82 TO 87. WEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
SUNDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 52 TO 57. HIGHS 80 TO 85. NORTHWEST
WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.
TXZ055-181130-
TEXAS FIRE WEATHER ZONE 055
EL PASO COUNTY-
232 PM MDT TUE MAR 17 2026
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........CLEAR (5-15 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....47-52.
* 24 HR TREND......11 DEGREES WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........31-36 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......7 PERCENT WETTER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
NORTHEAST AFTER MIDNIGHT.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 22 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
WEDNESDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (5-15 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....84-88.
* 24 HR TREND......10 DEGREES WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........9-11 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......1 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHEAST 18 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2200 FT AGL INCREASING TO 9000 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHEAST AROUND 15 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (64500 KNOT-FT).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........CLEAR (5-15 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....51-56.
* MAX HUMIDITY........29-34 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......EAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHEAST 12 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
THURSDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....88-92.
* MIN HUMIDITY........8-13 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
NORTHWEST IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 8 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......1700 FT AGL INCREASING TO 7500 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHWEST AROUND 5 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......POOR (30700 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
FRIDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 53 TO 58. HIGHS IN THE LOWER TO MID 90S.
SOUTHWEST WINDS 5 MPH.
SATURDAY
CLEAR. LOWS NEAR 60. HIGHS IN THE 90S. SOUTH WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
SUNDAY
CLEAR. LOWS NEAR 60. HIGHS IN THE LOWER TO MID 90S.
WEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
TXZ056-181130-
TEXAS FIRE WEATHER ZONE 056
HUDSPETH COUNTY-
232 PM MDT TUE MAR 17 2026
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........CLEAR (5-15 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....44-49.
* 24 HR TREND......15 DEGREES WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........33-38 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......2 PERCENT WETTER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 23 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
WEDNESDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....81-86.
* 24 HR TREND......9 DEGREES WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........10-12 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......UNCHANGED.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
NORTHEAST IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHEAST 16 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2200 FT AGL INCREASING TO 8500 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTH AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (72000 KNOT-FT).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR (10-20 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....47-52.
* MAX HUMIDITY........34-39 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......EAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 10 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
THURSDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....87-92.
* MIN HUMIDITY........8-10 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHEAST 12 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2000 FT AGL INCREASING TO 9200 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHWEST AROUND 5 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......FAIR (40700 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
FRIDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 50 TO 55. HIGHS 89 TO 94. SOUTHWEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
SATURDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 53 TO 58. HIGHS 91 TO 96. SOUTHWEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
SUNDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 54 TO 59. HIGHS 91 TO 96. WEST WINDS AROUND
5 MPH.
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