NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Drier air in the upper levels of the atmosphere is battling the low-level moisture still lingering this morning across the southern areas of New Mexico, as well as the mountainous terrain. Less rain that’s falling is drifting west in Southeast New Mexico as the unsettled weather is drifting farther to the southeast, but in its wake, it’s a chilly morning region-wide with a few areas of patchy fog. With mostly clear skies, light winds, and plenty of dry air in the atmosphere, temperatures have dipped below the freezing mark in the highest of elevations in The Northern Mountains, while everywhere else is mostly starting off in the high 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and low 60’s.
As temperatures across the region rise from the morning school commute into the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s by the afternoon, lingering moisture to the southeast, along with just enough daytime heating, will still lead to a few areas receiving at least some 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 corner of New Mexico. Urban and arroyo flooding will be less likely but still 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, small high, gusty winds, and some lightning strikes are possible.
As even 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 before the next weather pattern change late this week.
