NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Rising temperatures will continue to ensue across the region today, despite a slight uptick in rainfall for some. Despite a few hit-or-miss light showers quickly moving to the northeast from The Four Corners to The Northern Mountains this morning, virtually all of the rain that formed yesterday afternoon has ceased. While some moisture is still trapped aloft, skies are nonetheless mostly clear from clouds as the atmosphere has dried out at the surface across most of New Mexico, courtesy of a high pressure system overhead.
Morning temperatures are higher than yesterday, as well as being above normal, with the northern mountain communities mostly starting off in the upper 40’s, 50’s, and lower 60’s, while valley locations are mostly ranging from the upper 50’s to the 70’s. As temperatures across the region rise from the morning school commute into the upper 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and above 100 degrees for some areas by the afternoon, lingering moisture in the air in northern areas moving east, along with plenty of daytime heating, will lead to slightly more areas receiving rainfall across the viewing area. The northern third of the region has the best chance of rain for today with flash flooding as a slight possibility in the early-to-mid afternoon hours. Hit-and-miss stronger thunderstorms will pick up speed to the northeast from The Gila National Forest, to The Northern Mountains, then eventually to The Northeastern Highlands later this afternoon. Today’s storms have the possibility for localized heavy doses of rain, some hail, stronger winds, and more-frequent lightning strikes.
Most of The Rio Grande Valley will still remain rain-free with mostly sunny skies for the short term as more stagnant air builds in New Mexico, while the moisture hugs the northernmost communities.
However, as the strengthening high pressure moves east later this week, moisture from the northwest aloft will lead to stormier weather, as well as lower temperatures eventually.