NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Tropical rains continues for a new month across the region as after the 7th wettest June of rainfall occurred in The Metro, more thunderstorms are likely for at least the next couple of days. A Flood Watch is in effect for a good portion of The Rio Grande River Valley, around The Four Corners, along the northern mountains, and for The Lincoln National Forest.
Clouds were breaking up this morning and so too was the rain activity around The Navajo region, as well as the northern mountains. Despite some lightning strikes earlier around Alamosa, showers lost their intensity. Morning temperatures starting out in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s from north to south with relatively high humidity once again.
However, storms are now beginning to re-fire off in the burn scar areas around Ruidoso, as well as northern and western hilly communities of the viewing area. Temperatures have risen into the upper 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and low 90’s this early afternoon.
A stubborn high pressure system to the east, which will move a bit farther to the east, is allowing for even more Gulf of Mexico and Pacific moisture to enter the region aloft, allowing for more-widespread thunderstorms to fire off after temperatures rise through the early-to-mid afternoon hours. Most will reach the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s before even more storms fire off in the west, central, and northern areas of New Mexico. The main threats with the slow-moving storms to start will be flash flooding, especially in the burn-scar areas, but then the rain activity will quickly move to the northeast later in the afternoon and evening. Small hail, frequent lightning, and strong wind gusts will also accompany the heavy rainfall.
The Monsoonal-type of weather pattern will last for at least the next couple of days before conditions eventually dry out and heat up closer to The 4th of July.
