Fire warnings issued

Warnings of fire danger were issued early this week and concerns will remain through Friday. But forecasters expect cooler temperatures and a good chance of rain this weekend.

Wind gusts could top 50 mph today across New Mexico, with Clovis-Portales-area high temperatures in the 70s.

“We’re going to see blowing dust, and we’ll have problems with crosswinds on the roads and widespread critical fire conditions everywhere except the Four Corners area and some of the higher terrain above 8,000 feet,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Chuck Jones.

The warmth, high winds and low humidity have prompted the weather service to issue fire weather warnings for eastern New Mexico today.

“Any fires that do develop during the midweek will have the ability to spread very rapidly, particularly across the eastern portions of the state,” Meteorologist Daniel Porter told the Albuquerque Journal.

Thursday may also see high winds and temperatures in the 70s. Friday will be warm, but winds should be lighter.

The rain possibilities begin Friday night with some forecasters claiming a 70 percent chance of moisture,

“It will be a drastic change from windy and warm to cold with winter precipitation over the weekend,” Jones said.

Clovis-Portales can expect high temperatures in the 50s on Saturday and Sunday, with lows near freezing. Rain chances are at 60 percent on Saturday and they will continue until late Sunday morning.