NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Not-as-cold air is present as while clear skies skies are accompanying the calm winds with dry air in western areas through the western slopes of the mountains, allowing for the radiational cooling process with temperatures mostly starting off below the freezing mark in the nor thern to western third of the region, more-persistent westerly winds elsewhere, which are sinking down the east slopes of the central mountains, are leading to a milder start from the east mountains through the east plains. Forecast Continues Below NM Film: ABQ City Council votes to let plans move forward for film studio Crime: Man accused of orchestrating shootings at lawmakers’ homes found guilty Weather: Warmer weather on first day of spring for New Mexico Don't Miss: How has Albuquerque's housing market changed over the years? More-stable atmospheric conditions are still in place but because the jet stream, although weaker than days past, is set up in northern areas, leading to still somewhat-breezy conditions as west-southwesterly winds will pick up more later this morning into the afternoon with patchy blowing dust, as well as the elevated fire threat in the east plains through the northeast highlands as temperatures will mostly reach the the 50s and 60s north of I-40, still a bit chilly in the upper 40s in the mountains, while it will be the 70s to near 80 degrees in southern areas of New Mexico. Breezier conditions will occasionally return this weekend with relatively mild air returning as little to no precipitation will fall ahead, even for the northern communities, but temperatures will rise even more next week with calmer winds mostly. ...read more read less