Green flags are still expected for the rest of Balloon Fiesta, with a box effect possible Saturday and Sunday morning. Our weather starts cooling off next week.
A slightly breezy drainage wind still kept some Special Shapes grounded at this morning’s Balloon Fiesta, but a slightly lighter wind allowed more balloons to take off. This afternoon, the weather has remained quiet and warm. Record high temperatures have again been broken in places like Gallup and Farmington. Well-above average warmth continues though across the entire state with dry weather.
Winds are forecast to be lighter for the last two Mass Ascensions at Balloon Fiesta. Newer forecast models are also bringing the box effect back into Alquerque both mornings. Winds at the ground will push the balloons south, but higher up, the wind switches direction to then push the balloons to the northeast. This will be a similar story on Sunday morning as well. Temperatures will be in the mid to low 50s at Fiesta Park before warming into the mid 80s in the afternoon. The rest of the state will also hang onto quiet, but warm weather this weekend, with more record heat possible Saturday. High pressure begins breaking down on Sunday, and that will finally allow temperatures to start cooling off.
A weak backdoor cold front will move through eastern New Mexico Sunday night through Monday. This will help to cool temperatures off a few more degrees, especially in the eastern half of the state by Tuesday. A trough (dip in the jet stream) will also be moving towards New Mexico from the west by the end of next week, which will bring in breezy to windy weather. This may also bring back a chance for rain to parts of the state late next week as well. While temperatures will still be warmer than normal through most of next week, that trough will send a Pacific cold front into the state, bringing much cooler air next weekend.
