High temperatures to climb again across New Mexico into this weekend. Still expecting good weather for Balloon Fiesta through Sunday morning.
Spotty showers have been developing across western and northern New Mexico Wednesday afternoon, along with the Sacramento Mountains and parts of northeastern New Mexico. Some of this rain is evaporating before reaching the ground. Temperatures are warmer this afternoon as well across the state. Overnight, the spotty showers will end. However, winds may be slightly breezier tomorrow morning for Balloon Fiesta. That being said, winds should stay light enough that most Special Shapes should be able to take off for Balloon Fiesta, especially if the winds can calm down around 7 AM. A box is also not expected to develop tomorrow morning, but winds will be out of the northeast, pushing the balloons to the southwest. Winds are expected to remain mostly light Thursday evening as well for the Special Shapes Glowdeo.
It will be another warm afternoon across New Mexico Thursday, with record and near-record high temperatures. A few spotty showers and evaporating rain showers will be possible again, mainly across the mountain ranges. Winds should be lighter Friday morning, so if any Special shapes can’t make it up Thursday morning, they should be able to Friday morning. High temperatures in the afternoon will again be near-records Friday afternoon with another calm evening for the Glowdeo.
Green flags are expected to continue through the last Mass Ascensions of this year’s Balloon Fiesta this weekend. A box effect should even set up both Saturday and Sunday morning with northerly ground winds and temperatures only in the mid and upper 50s. The Balloon Glow Saturday evening is also looking good to go. Temperatures across the state will also continue to be well above average for this time of year, until early next week.
One of the stronger backdoor fronts we have seen in a while will move through New Mexico Monday into Tuesday. This will bring a gusty east wind into the Rio Grande Valley Tuesday morning and finally bring high temperatures back down to around normal for this time of year.
