Critical Fire Weather in the Southern Plains; Severe Storms in the Ohio Valley

Strong winds and low humidity will create elevated to critical fire weather conditions across the Southern Plains on Thursday. Strong to severe thunderstorms are forecast in the Ohio Valley late Thursday into Friday morning, with the strongest storms capable of producing very large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes. Read More >

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Last Map Update: Wed, Mar 25, 2026 at 11:00:04 pm MDT

Watches, Warnings & Advisories

National Weather Service Grand Junction, CO

National Weather Service NWS Flagstaff, AZ

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National Weather Service NWS Tucson Arizona

Red Flag Warning

Hazardous Weather Outlook

Red Flag Warning

Thu Night Wind

Fri Wind

Record Heat Relief

Weekend Storms

Strong west winds will combine with single digit-humidity to produce widesread fire weather concerns Thursday from late morning through early evening. The greatest risk of rapid fire spread will be along and east of the Sangre de Cristo, Sandia, and Manzano Mountains as well as the Upper Rio Grande Valley.

Hazardous crosswinds will develop behind a potent cold front that will race southwestward through the eastern plains of New Mexico Thursday night. Areas of blowing dust can also be expected along with unsecured objects being blown away.

Strong canyon winds (up to 60 mph) can be expected in Tijeras Canyon and the eastern Albuquerque Metro. Otherwise, many areas can expect peak wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph, including parts of west central and northwest New Mexico. Be alert for hazardous crosswinds, blowing dust and unsecured objects being blown around.

Record high temperatures will soar around 20 to 30 degrees above 1991-2020 averages on Thursday. A blustery cold front will produce strong winds and much cooler temperatures Thursday night and Friday. In fact, high temperatures in eastern New Mexico will be as much as 40 degrees colder compared to Thursday.

Moisture will increase enough Saturday for isolated and gusty virga showers, and perhaps a few dry thunderstorms, to develop over the western mountains and along the continental divide. Virga showers and mostly dry storms will increase in coverage Sunday - focused in western and central NM.