Firefighters will once again have to deal with difficult weather conditions this afternoon. After a quiet start this morning, winds are steadily increasing statewide.  This afternoon winds will be out of the south sustained @ 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph or higher. Temps will continue to rise today well into the 90s across the lower terrain and into the upper 80s and low 90s in the mountains. Southern New Mexico will once again bake in temperatures ranging from 100° to 105°.  Relative humidity will remain between 10% and 20% at best, and to make things tougher, there’s the threat of more dry thunderstorms in the 4 corners and perhaps even the Jemez mountains this afternoon and evening.

Dry storms are caused rain falling through very dry air at the surface evaporating before it hits the ground.  Gusty winds  up to 50 mph are possible in and  around the storms and when you combine that with lightning you’re looking at the possibility of new wildfires developing. The gusty winds from the storms can also blow smoke into various areas that would otherwise have little to no smoke.

Air quality will continue to be poor in areas north and east of the Las Conchas and Pacheco fires today. Tomorrow winds will once again be strong if not stronger than today and will become more westerly. This will likely mean higher concentrations of smoke from Santa Fe into Espanola, Nambe and Taos.