SMOKE HEALTH ALERT
Western wildfires affected air quality over much of New Mexico on Sunday. Strong east winds will also bring blowing dust into the area.
Wildfire smoke obscured the usually spectacular view of the Sandia Mountains on Sunday, prompting the city of Albuquerque’s Environmental Health Department to issue a health alert.
According to the National Weather Service office in Albuquerque, smoke from wildfires burning over California, Oregon and Nevada moved southeastward into New Mexico on Sunday, which impacted air quality over much of central and western New Mexico.
East winds developing in the Rio Grande Valley late Sunday were expected to help force smoke westward out of the area but meteorologists expected smoke impacts to likely continue over western New Mexico this morning.
The city’s health alert is in effect until 6 a.m. today due to blowing dust.
The National Weather Service on Sunday issued a wind advisory in effect until 6 a.m. today for the Middle Rio Grande Valley including metro Albuquerque, especially below Tijeras Canyon.
According to meteorologists, a gusty backdoor front was expected to surge through gaps in the Sandia and Manzano mountains during the overnight hours, producing strong east winds and bringing blowing dust into the area.