NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Two air masses, along with below-normal temperatures for most, are present across New Mexico on this Labor Day … a predominantly dry one for the northwestern two-thirds of the region, but a stormier one in The Pecos River Valley. Thunderstorms from Eunice, Hobbs, and Lovington to Carlsbad, as well as Roswell, are moving to the east at a good pace with even a batch of showers west of Eunice moving to Estancia. Otherwise, skies are mostly clear from clouds to the northwest with a bit of a chill in the air. Morning temperatures are generally slightly below normal with the northern mountain communities mostly starting off in the 30’s, 40’s, and lower 50’s, while valley locations are mostly ranging from the upper 40’s to the lower 60’s.
As temperatures across the region rise into the high 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s by the afternoon, moisture to the southeast, along with just enough daytime heating, will still lead to a few areas receiving at least some heavy doses of rainfall across the viewing area. While most of the region will still be mostly dry today, storms will be most likely in The San Juan Mountains, parts of The Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and for the southeastern third of New Mexico. Urban and arroyo flooding will be possible as more storms re-fire off later this morning into the afternoon, but the risk for burn-scar flash flooding around Ruidoso will be low. Within the areas that may rain, some small high, erratic winds, and frequent lightning strikes are possible.
However, as more-stable air starts to build in throughout the region, storms will be confined farther to the southeast and in the mountains with higher temperatures ahead.
