Warmer weather returns to New Mexico through the end of this week. A storm will bring rain and snow chances back to the state this weekend. It was a cooler afternoon across New Mexico Wednesday behind a cold front that swept across the state yesterday. The biggest drop in temperatures were in southeast New Mexico where it's as much as 15° cooler compared to Tuesday afternoon. Tonight, it's going to be an even colder night, but a warming trend begins Thursday afternoon. This warming trend continues through Friday as southwest winds pick up. Gusts up to 45 mph will be possible in western New Mexico, where we will see an elevated fire danger develop. Friday's winds are in response to an approaching storm system. This storm will begin moving into the state Saturday night, bringing the highest chances for rain and mountain snow Sunday into early Monday morning. Precipitation chances have trended downward though with this storm, with the highest chances of rain and mountain snow in southern and eastern New Mexico. Snow levels will stay fairly high, mainly above 8,500' to 9,000'. Temperatures will start cooling off again Saturday from west to east as another cold front moves through the state. A few light snow showers will also be possible in the northern mountains, with an isolated rain chance as far north as Albuquerque. Another quick-hitting storm system may bring in some light snow to the northern mountains. The main impact from this one though will be the blast of colder air. High temperatures will fall to much cooler than average by the middle of next week.