Highs winds continue tonight, with rain and snow in parts of New Mexico Wednesday
Nov 26, 2024
Rain and snow moves into northern New Mexico Wednesday as colder air moves into the state for Thanksgiving Day.
It has been a much windier and warmer day across New Mexico Tuesday, with more of the state climbing into the 60s and 70s. Westerly winds have been gusting over 40 mph at times in western and eastern parts of the state with even stronger winds across mountain peaks. Snow has also been moving into the San Juan Mountains, with heavy snow falling above about 9,000'. Overnight, winds will actually pick up for areas along and east of the central mountain chain. The strongest wind gusts will be along and east of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where up to 70 mph gusts will be possible through Wednesday morning.
Gusty winds return again by Wednesday afternoon. A cold front will be moving in form the north starting early Wednesday morning. As this front moves south through the day, it will bring light rain and snow to areas along and north of I-40. The best chances for any precipitation will be in the northern mountains where a couple inches of snow will be possible and over 6" across mountain peaks. The Albuquerque Metro could see a spotty shower Wednesday afternoon, but no accumulation of rain is likely. Temperatures will be dropping quickly behind the front as well, and a backdoor cold front Wednesday evening will drop temperatures even more. Late Wednesday night into Thursday morning, drier air will move into northern New Mexico while a couple spotty showers and light higher elevation snow will be possible down to the Sacramentos and Roswell.
Drier air returns to the entire state for the afternoon of Thanksgiving, but it will be a chilly afternoon. Winds will also be lighter. Dry air will stick around for at least the next week across New Mexico with a steady warming trend. High temperatures will hover right around and slightly above average into the weekend and next week.