Widespread heat & spotty rain around New Mexico

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Hot air will once again be the big story for most today with mostly rain-free conditions as well. Despite a few hit-or-miss light showers quickly moving to the northeast in the Four Corners this morning, virtually all of the rain that formed yesterday afternoon has ceased. While some moisture is still trapped aloft, skies are nonetheless mostly clear from clouds as the atmosphere has significantly dried out at the surface across the east-central part of New Mexico, courtesy of a high pressure system overhead.

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Morning temperatures are still relatively close to normal in the northern mountain communities with a few areas starting off in the high 30’s, but mostly in the 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 above 100 degrees for some areas by the afternoon, lingering moisture in the air in northwestern areas, along with plenty of daytime heating, will lead to a few areas receiving rainfall across the viewing area. The northern and western areas of the region have the best chance of rain for today with flash flooding as a slight possibility in the early-to-mid afternoon hours. Hit-and-miss weak thunderstorms will pick up speed to the northeast in the Northern Mountains and the Gila National Forest later this afternoon. Today’s storms have the possibility for some very localized heavy doses of rain, small hail, strong winds, and frequent lightning strikes.

Most will still remain rain-free for the short term with more stagnant air building in New Mexico with moisture only hugging the western and northern mountainous terrain ahead with dry air from the east really winning on out with more sunshine, as well as even more record heat for some.

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