High Wind Watch and Red Flag Warnings Issued for Torrance County and the Mountainair Area

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued multiple weather alerts for Torrance County and the surrounding region, warning of dangerous conditions through the weekend into Sunday evening.

A High Wind Watch is in effect for Sunday, April 27, 2025, with southwest winds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts potentially reaching up to 60 mph. The watch covers much of central, north central, northeast, and southeast New Mexico, including Mountainair and the Estancia Valley. Strong winds could lead to power outages, blown-down trees and power lines, and hazardous driving conditions, particularly for high-profile vehicles. Additionally, blowing dust could reduce visibility below three miles in areas like the Rio Grande Valley, creating additional travel hazards.

In addition to the high winds, the region is under consecutive Red Flag Warnings due to critical fire weather conditions:

• Friday, April 25, 2025: A Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 7:00 PM MDT today for the Middle Rio Grande Valley.
• Saturday, April 26, 2025: Another Red Flag Warning will be in effect from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM MDT for west-central New Mexico and the Middle Rio Grande Valley.
• Sunday, April 27, 2025: A widespread Red Flag Warning is issued from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM MDT for all of northern, central, and western New Mexico, including Torrance County and Mountainair.

During Sunday’s red flag event, southwest winds will intensify to 30 to 40 mph, with gusts reaching up to 55 mph. Relative humidity levels will drop to between 6 and 10 percent, creating extremely favorable conditions for wildfire ignition and rapid spread. Fire officials stress that any fires that develop are likely to spread quickly and become difficult to contain. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.

Residents should secure outdoor objects, avoid activities that could cause sparks, and remain vigilant for emergency updates. Travel is expected to be hazardous during the strongest wind periods, especially on east-west routes such as US-40. (In Torrance County, this will likely have a follow-on effect on the traffic on NM-41 and US-60.)

For the latest weather forecasts and updates, visit the Albuquerque office of the National Weather Service. To receive emergency alerts directly, sign up with the Torrance County Department of Emergency Management’s Code Red system.