NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Bitterly cold air, the coldest of the season for many with below-freezing temperatures for all, is the big weather story this morning with mostly clear skies, lighter winds, and drier air allowing for the radiational cooling process in a big way. Very cold air is once again present in the San Luis Valley as air temperatures are as low as in the teens below zero degrees, while most areas are experiencing air temperatures just below zero degrees, in the single digits, teens, and 20s from north-northwest to south-southeast from high to lower elevation generally, although some valley locations are dealing with the very cold, dense air-mass. Forecast Continues Below Podcast: Tent Rocks National Monument reopens with new fees and new rules News: Albuquerque man accused of shooting stepmom asks judge to spend Christmas Eve with family Trending: Tingley Coliseum undergoes renovations as governor looks to possibly move state fair site  Don't Miss: 15-foot tumbleweed snowman pops up in Socorro Despite occasional afternoon clouds moving with the stronger upper-level west-southwesterly winds, dry-enough air will lead to no precipitation. Afternoon temperatures will be a bit higher than yesterday for all with the daytime high temperatures being slightly below-normal to near-normal criteria. From the morning school commute through the afternoon, temperatures will reach into the upper 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and near 60 degrees from north to south with breezier conditions in the East Highlands especially, elevating the fire threat with few patchy areas of blowing dust, as well as a little bit of blowing snow in the higher elevations. Despite a briefly cooler air-mass late Thursday into early Saturday afternoon, generally warmer weather will continue later this week through the weekend as some passing upper-level clouds will continue be a signal of stronger winds returning for some.