Two cold front continue to make their way through New Mexico this afternoon. Bringing clouds, wind, and spotty showers along the leading edges.
A surface low pressure over central New Mexico is bringing dual cold fronts to New Mexico. A pacific front is draped across northwest New Mexico bringing strong northwesterly winds at the surface. Additionally, lift along the front is bringing spotty rain and snow to the Gila this afternoon. A backdoor cold front is draped across eastern New Mexico this afternoon. This front is bringing light snow to the Sangre de Cristo and Sacramento Mountains and rain at the lower elevations surrounding the Sacramento Mountains. These spotty showers will last throughout the day Thursday.
While the spotty showers are to the south, incredibly dry air is in the north. Combining with the strong northwesterly flow at the surface. These ingredients create an increased risk for fires. The National Weather Service has issues a Red Flag Warning for the San Luis Valley. This warning will go into effect at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday February 26th and expire at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday February 26th.
A ridge of high pressure will begin to move over New Mexico late this week. The ridge will increase temperatures across the state once again. This warm up will be the most prominent on Saturday. The high temperatures on Sunday will begin a very gradual cooling trend through early next week.
A low pressure system is on the way to New Mexico over the weekend. But it is looking much weaker than originally anticipated. The low pressure will track towards the north and land in far northeast New Mexico by Sunday. The low will bring light snow and rain to northwest, and northern New Mexico over the weekend.
A shortwave pattern is forecasted to move through New Mexico early next week after the low pressure system. These shortwaves will be drawing up additional moisture and leading to more rain and high elevation snow through early next week. The European model is bringing rain and snow south of I-40. Whereas the American model is keeping the precipitation to the north.