RIO RANCHO, N.M. – Paul Wymer is projected to win Rio Rancho’s mayoral election.

Early results on Tuesday night showed Wymer had 64% of the vote with over 16,000 votes counted. The general election last month saw a total of 13,757 ballots cast.

Wymer currently serves on the Rio Rancho City Council.

His opponent, Alexandria Piland, is a former teacher.

Mayor Gregg Hull decided not to seek reelection so he could run for governor of New Mexico, paving the way for a change in leadership in Rio Rancho.

“We are going to continue on the same path as Mayor Hull,” Wymer said. “If there is anything we are going to do different, it’s to expand on the accomplishments we have already made.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Wymer said he was already ready to take on the job.

“Having worked side by side with Mayor Hull for the last 6 years, I think it will be a smooth transition,” Wymer said. “I know exactly what to expect out of the gates. Well be working on the budget, that’s first and foremost and typically one of the first things the new mayor has to tackle. We’ve already got meetings scheduled to take a look at that budget.”

Wymer’s term will begin on May 1.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico State Police is investigating a deadly pedestrian crash that left westbound Interstate 40 closed for hours in Albuquerque.

It happened early Tuesday morning at Eubank Boulevard The westbound lanes closed at Juan Tabo Boulevard around 6:30 a.m.

Westbound I-40 is back open. Further details are limited at this time. Albuquerque Police Department confirmed NMSP is investigating.

Milder air is present for most compared to yesterday with passing clouds, but with little precipitation. Clouds are partially absorbing yesterday’s warmth from escaping into space, and gustier conditions from the west are mixing that air around, but the drop in the jet stream has led to the slight coolness in the air to start for most.

Air temperatures in the north are starting off mostly from around the upper 20s to the 40s, except for some northern areas starting off around the lower 50s, while elsewhere to the southeast, air temperatures are mostly ranging from around the high 30s to the lower 60s.

Many areas from eastern New Mexico to the Pecos River Valley area will range from the 60s to the 80s from north-northwest to south-southeast from high to low elevation. The northern higher elevations will mostly range from the high 30s to around 50°, while the northern valley floors to western and central areas will mostly range from the upper 50s to the low 80s. Very gusty showers with some rumbles of thunder will be more likely not only in the mountains to nearby areas, but also in the San Juan Basin, the western communities, parts of the Rio Grande Valley, to parts of eastern New Mexico. Storm motions will primarily be moving to the east-southeast.

Temperatures will eventually drop even more tomorrow with the fire threat at least elevated for many eastern areas for both days. For the next couple of days, thunderstorms may locally be strong with brief bouts of moderate rainfall, some graupel & hail, high elevation snow in northern areas, some lightning, & damaging winds possible in local areas with the jet stream overhead.

Mostly clearer skies will then return later in the week with the jet stream rising back to the northeast, allowing for warmer air to also return with calmer winds before the next gusty cooldown.