Temperatures today are continuing to inch higher than yesterday. This trend will continue through the rest of the week.
A Rex Block is forming off the Pacific Coast today. It will continue to strengthen through Wednesday. A Rex Block occurs when a high pressure system settles itself north of a low pressure system. The resulting air flow “blocks” the low pressure system from moving. This block results in warmer weather and clear skies.
The high pressure system of the Rex Block is currently forming over the Pacific Coast. Throughout the day today and Wednesday this high pressure will move over the Pacific Northwest. The low pressure system is continuing to strengthen over the Baja.
On Thursday, the high pressure system over the Pacific Northwest will stretch towards New Mexico. This will increase ridging over the state. The ridging will allow temperatures to warm up even more until reaching its peak on Friday.
On Friday, a second low pressure system will be diving towards New Mexico from the Rocky Mountains in the northwest. This low pressure will start by bringing breezy to locally wind conditions to New Mexico Friday afternoon and Saturday. The low will also be drawing down artic air into New Mexico.
On Saturday, the low pressure is expected to bring snowfall New Mexico. This snowfall is expected to continue through Monday. There is still a little bit of uncertainty surrounding the exact locations of the weekend snowfall. The forecast has the most forecast in northern and eastern New Mexico seeing snowfall Saturday through Monday. There is lower confidence in central and western New Mexico seeing snowfall.
The artic air will truly take hold of the state Sunday through Tuesday of next week. Below freezing temperatures will be seen across New Mexico Monday afternoon. Tuesday morning could see some of the coldest temperatures of the season.