691
FNUS54 KEPZ 201148
FWFEPZ
FIRE WEATHER PLANNING FORECAST FOR NEW MEXICO AND FAR WEST TEXAS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EL PASO TX/SANTA TERESA NM
548 AM MDT FRI MAR 20 2026
DISCUSSION
HIGH PRESSURE ALOFT WILL DOMINATE THE WEATHER THROUGH THE WEEKEND
RESULTING IN ABNORMALLY WARM CONDITIONS, AND A CRITICALLY DRY
ENVIRONMENT. AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES WILL BE AROUND 20 DEGREES WARMER
THAN MARCH NORMALS. RELATIVE HUMIDITY WILL FALL DEEP INTO THE SINGLE-
DIGITS, WITH POOR OVERNIGHT RECOVERY. BURN WINDOWS WILL BE QUITE LONG.
FORTUNATELY, NO PASSING DISTURBANCES, WHICH MEANS WINDS WILL BE MOSTLY
LIGHT AND VARIABLE WITH JUST THE USUAL OCCASIONAL AFTERNOON BREEZES
AND GUSTS. NOT AS HOT OR DRY MONDAY BEHIND A WEAK BACKDOOR FRONT, BUT
EVEN THEN, STILL WARM AND DRY. HIGH PRESSURE REBOUNDS FOR A QUICK
INCREASE IN WARMING AND DRYING TUESDAY. FUELS SHOULD GROW RAPIDLY DRIER,
SETTING UP VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER, FOR OUR NEXT WIND EVENT.
...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.
NMZ110-202000-
SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS/GILA NF/APACHE NF/GLZ-
548 AM MDT FRI MAR 20 2026
TODAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....77-82.
* BELOW 7500 FT....85-90.
* 24 HR TREND......1 DEGREE WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....5-7 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....5-7 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......UNCHANGED.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 15 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2900 FT AGL INCREASING TO 12000 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTH AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (97600 KNOT-FT).
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........CLEAR (0-10 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....47-52.
* BELOW 7500 FT....50-55.
* 24 HR TREND......1 DEGREE WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....17-22 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....19-24 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......1 PERCENT WETTER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTH
AFTER MIDNIGHT.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 9 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
SATURDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....78-83.
* BELOW 7500 FT....86-91.
* MIN HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....6-8 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....6-8 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
SOUTHWEST IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..WEST 9 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......3200 FT AGL INCREASING TO 12900 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTHWEST AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......VERY GOOD (130100 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
SUNDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 48 TO 53. HIGHS 81 TO 86. NORTHWEST
WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
MONDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 47 TO 52. HIGHS 77 TO 82. SOUTHEAST
WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
TUESDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 46 TO 51. HIGHS 79 TO 84. WEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
NMZ111-202000-
SOUTHWEST DESERTS AND LOWLANDS/LAS CRUCES BLM/GLZ-
548 AM MDT FRI MAR 20 2026
TODAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....91-95.
* 24 HR TREND......2 DEGREES WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........5-7 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......1 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE EAST
IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 9 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......1800 FT AGL INCREASING TO 9500 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTH AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (60100 KNOT-FT).
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........CLEAR (0-10 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....53-58.
* 24 HR TREND......1 DEGREE WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........19-24 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......4 PERCENT DRIER.
* 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.
SATURDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....92-96.
* MIN HUMIDITY........5-7 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
SOUTHWEST IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..WEST 8 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2000 FT AGL INCREASING TO 12100 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTHWEST AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (87700 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
SUNDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 53 TO 58. HIGHS 91 TO 96. NORTHWEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
MONDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID TO UPPER 50S. HIGHS IN
THE MID TO UPPER 80S. EAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
TUESDAY
CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER TO MID 50S. HIGHS NEAR 90.
NORTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
NMZ112-202000-
SOUTH CENTRAL LOWLANDS AND SOUTHERN RIO GRANDE VALLEY/BLM/GLZ-
548 AM MDT FRI MAR 20 2026
TODAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....90-95.
* 24 HR TREND......2 DEGREES WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........4-6 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......1 PERCENT WETTER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 10 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2200 FT AGL INCREASING TO 10000 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTH AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (62600 KNOT-FT).
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........CLEAR (0-10 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....52-57.
* 24 HR TREND......2 DEGREES WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........17-22 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......3 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 7 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
SATURDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....92-97.
* MIN HUMIDITY........4-6 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......EAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE SOUTH
IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..WEST 9 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2200 FT AGL INCREASING TO 10700 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTHWEST AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......VERY GOOD (102300 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
SUNDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 52 TO 57. HIGHS 92 TO 97. NORTHWEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
MONDAY
NOT AS WARM. MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 51 TO 56. HIGHS 82 TO
87. EAST WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.
TUESDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 50 TO 55. HIGHS 87 TO 92. SOUTHWEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
NMZ113-202000-
CAPITAN AND SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS/LINCOLN NF/LNZ-
548 AM MDT FRI MAR 20 2026
TODAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....75-80.
* BELOW 7500 FT....83-88.
* 24 HR TREND......1 DEGREE WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....8-10 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....5-7 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......3 PERCENT WETTER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
NORTHEAST IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTH 18 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......4000 FT AGL INCREASING TO 11300 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTH AROUND 15 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (89300 KNOT-FT).
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........CLEAR (0-10 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....47-52.
* BELOW 7500 FT....51-56.
* 24 HR TREND......1 DEGREE WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....19-24 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....16-20 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......3 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTHEAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
SOUTHWEST AFTER MIDNIGHT.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..SOUTHEAST 8 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
SATURDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....
* ABOVE 7500 FT....75-80.
* BELOW 7500 FT....85-90.
* MIN HUMIDITY........
* ABOVE 7500 FT....7-9 PERCENT.
* BELOW 7500 FT....5-7 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..WEST 12 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......4600 FT AGL INCREASING TO 12200 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....WEST AROUND 15 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......VERY GOOD (134400 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
SUNDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 52 TO 57. HIGHS 82 TO 87. WEST WINDS AROUND
10 MPH.
MONDAY
NOT AS WARM. MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 42 TO 47. HIGHS 71 TO
76. EAST WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.
TUESDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 47 TO 52. HIGHS 79 TO 84. WEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
TXZ055-202000-
TEXAS FIRE WEATHER ZONE 055
EL PASO COUNTY-
548 AM MDT FRI MAR 20 2026
TODAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....91-95.
* 24 HR TREND......2 DEGREES WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........6-11 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......1 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTHEAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
NORTHWEST IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 8 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......1900 FT AGL INCREASING TO 8600 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTHWEST AROUND 5 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......FAIR (42500 KNOT-FT).
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........CLEAR (0-10 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....56-60.
* 24 HR TREND......1 DEGREE WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........16-20 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......6 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
SOUTHEAST AFTER MIDNIGHT.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 6 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
SATURDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....93-97.
* MIN HUMIDITY........6-11 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTHEAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
SOUTHWEST IN THE AFTERNOON.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 6 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......1900 FT AGL INCREASING TO 10400 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTH AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (69500 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
SUNDAY
CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID 50S TO LOWER 60S. HIGHS IN THE
MID TO UPPER 90S. SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
MONDAY
NOT AS WARM. MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE UPPER 50S. HIGHS
IN THE 80S. EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
TUESDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID TO UPPER 50S. HIGHS NEAR
90. SOUTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
TXZ056-202000-
TEXAS FIRE WEATHER ZONE 056
HUDSPETH COUNTY-
548 AM MDT FRI MAR 20 2026
TODAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....90-95.
* 24 HR TREND......2 DEGREES WARMER.
* MIN HUMIDITY........5-7 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......2 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..NORTHWEST 9 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2200 FT AGL INCREASING TO 11000 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....WEST AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......FAIR (58900 KNOT-FT).
TONIGHT
* SKY/WEATHER.........CLEAR (0-10 PERCENT).
* MIN TEMPERATURE.....53-58.
* 24 HR TREND......1 DEGREE WARMER.
* MAX HUMIDITY........19-24 PERCENT.
* 24 HR TREND......5 PERCENT DRIER.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
SOUTHEAST AFTER MIDNIGHT.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..WEST 6 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
SATURDAY
* SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY (0-10 PERCENT).
* MAX TEMPERATURE.....91-96.
* MIN HUMIDITY........5-7 PERCENT.
* 20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
* 10000 FT MSL WINDS..WEST 7 MPH.
* CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
* CHC OF PRECIP.......0 PERCENT.
* MIXING HEIGHT.......2300 FT AGL INCREASING TO 10900 FT AGL IN THE
AFTERNOON.
* TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTH AROUND 10 KNOTS.
* VENT CATEGORY.......GOOD (76100 KNOT-FT).
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 5
SUNDAY
CLEAR. LOWS 53 TO 58. HIGHS 92 TO 97. SOUTHWEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
MONDAY
NOT AS WARM. MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER TO MID
50S. HIGHS 79 TO 84. NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
TUESDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 50 TO 55. HIGHS 87 TO 92. SOUTHWEST
WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
BIRD
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