Sunnier, hotter, & drier weather ahead for New Mexico

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Despite a few weakening showers drifting to the east of Union County with occasionally some 20-30 mile-per-hour northerly wind gusts drifting southward along I-40 east of Albuquerque, quiet weather is enchanting the Land of Enchantment this morning with mostly clear skies and slightly warmer air to start. While the atmosphere has significantly dried out aloft, it’s still a little bit humid at the surface, but that moisture will continue to drift east with a high pressure system moving on in, allowing for not only drier air, but higher afternoon temperatures ahead.

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Morning temperatures are still relatively close to normal for many with a few of the northern mountain communities starting off near the high 30’s, but mostly 40’s, 50’s, and low 60’s, while valley locations are mostly ranging from the 50’s to the 70’s. As temperatures across the region rise from the morning school commute into the upper 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and a few degrees above 100 degrees in a few southern areas by the afternoon, less moisture in the air, along with plenty of daytime heating, will lead to only a few areas receiving rainfall across the viewing area. The southern and eastern corner of the region has the best chance of rain for today with flash flooding likely not to occur despite a few showers with thunder possible around Ruidoso in the early-to-mid afternoon hours. Hit-or-miss weak showers, which will move slowly, may produce some thunder in the Northern Mountains and the Gila National Forest.

With stagnant air moving over in New Mexico, moisture will only hug the eastern and mountainous terrain of the area ahead with drier air from the west really win on out with more sunshine and record heat for some.

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