Today is forecast to be Much Cooler than yesterday.
Nowcast as of 2:09 PM MDT on May 13, 2008
Now
Just before 2 PM MDT...spotty showers continued across north central and west central New Mexico...drifting to the north between 20 and 25 mph. Most were across Rio Arriba County and from there southwestward along and near the Continental Divide. The rain however was likely not reaching the ground across lower terrain...especially from the lighter showers. Isolated thunderstorms are likely to develop from time to time across this area through the rest of the afternoon...but generally just brief light to moderate rainfall is expected. Brief strong gusty winds of 30 to 45 mph will be possible with the showers and storms...creating small areas of blowing dust.
Forecast for West Central Mountains
Updated: 4:00 am MDT on May 13, 2008
Today
Partly cloudy. Breezy. Scattered rain showers in the morning...then numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 50s to upper 60s. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph increasing to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Caution advised on area lakes.
Mostly cloudy. Breezy. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms in the evening...then scattered rain showers and high elevation snow showers after midnight. Lows in the 30s to lower 40s. West winds 15 to 25 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Gusts up to 35 mph. Caution advised on area lakes.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 50s to upper 60s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the northwest in the afternoon.
Partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain showers. Lows in the 30s to lower 40s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph in the evening.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain showers. Highs in the 60s...except in the lower 50s to mid 60s over the higher elevations. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the east 10 to 20 mph in the afternoon.
... Major weather changes underway across New Mexico...
Two storm systems will impact New Mexico through at least the end of this week... resulting in much cooler temperatures... widespread rain and High Mountain snow... and strong east winds across the Rio Grande and Tularosa valleys.
The dry... windy and generally warm weather in recent weeks will be coming to an end across northern and central New Mexico as two storm systems this week will finally provide US with much needed moisture. The first storm is over Arizona and will slowly cross southern New Mexico tonight and Wednesday. Meanwhile a strong cold front will continue to press south and west over the eastern plains this afternoon and tonight. Temperatures over northeast New Mexico this afternoon will be nearly 30 degrees cooler than Monday... while other areas will see a 10 to 20 degree drop in temperatures. Showers and thunderstorms will develop this afternoon over western and northern New Mexico and spread across the entire state tonight... then continue on Wednesday. Elevations above 8500 feet tonight could see wet snow... with small accumulations above 9000 feet.
Strong east winds will pour into the Rio Grande Valley tonight... especially through the canyons and passes. However... winds will likely top the Central Mountain chain and affect much of the Rio Grande Valley. A Wind Advisory will be issued this afternoon for these strong winds later tonight into Wednesday morning.
With showers and thunderstorms bringing rain to the Trigo fire area later tonight and Wednesday there is the potential for flash flooding over the fresh scarring from the fire. A Flash Flood Watch will be posted around 12 PM today. Rain amounts over the Trigo fire and much of New Mexico will average a quarter to one half inch... with locally one inch amounts. Favored areas for the more substantial precipitation should be south of Interstate 40 and east of Interstate 25.
The second storm will move into New Mexico from the north Wednesday night and Thursday... bringing more Rain... Mountain snow and even cooler temperatures.
= Probability of Precipitation
