Fewer storms and warmer temperatures expected across New Mexico

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Rain has mostly tapered off Tuesday morning despite some isolated pockets of showers surrounding The Metro to the north around Santa Fe and also near Las Cruces to Silver City. Along with some passing clouds, relatively cool and humid air is lingering around this morning with northeasterly winds. Drier air will start to creep into the upper levels of the atmosphere as the high-pressure system to the west shifts to the west-southwest. Therefore, the moisture aloft will shift westward ahead with south-southwesterly-moving storms courtesy of the clockwise flow higher up. Tropical moisture will remain stubborn at the surface despite conditions becoming a little bit drier ahead with southwesterly winds creeping back for some in the afternoons to come.

Forecast Continues Below

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Morning temperatures are once again starting off at or below normal with nearly all locations starting off below 70 degrees. The 50s and 60s are reigning supreme around the Metro, as well as to the south, while a good portion of the northern mountain communities is starting off in the 40s with even some pockets of high 30s. Dew-point temperatures are again relatively high this morning, indicative of the high relative humidity that’s stubborn at the surface, with widespread dew-point readings in the upper 40s, 50s, and lower 60s. This moisture, combined with the very slight uptick in slightly below-normal high temperatures in the 70s, 80s, and lower 90s for most, will lead to lingering rain activity as flood watches are in effect for the burn-scar areas to the east of Santa Fe, as well as much of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain communities. Thunderstorms may initially be slow-moving as they form early this afternoon around the burn scars of Santa Fe and also Ruidoso, but then, the storms will strengthen while speeding up this afternoon across a portion of the Rio Grande Valley eventually. Severe thunderstorms capable of producing not only flooding rainfall are likely for a few areas ahead as rain activity starts to re-ramp up later on, but also, some hail, erratic winds, and frequent lightning are still possible with a few of the storms in the short term.

While burn-scar flash flooding will once again be likely in the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon area and Cerro Pelado area today, conditions will gradually become less stormy, warmer, and less humid later this week as the high pressure to the west holds strong to the west. However, rain chances will still remain.

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