Grant’s Friday Night Forecast

Clouds and storms brought some much needed relief from the heat and much needed rain across parts of New Mexico Friday. Drier and hotter weather returns this weekend.

Some much needed rain fell across parts of New Mexico today, especially along and north of I-40. The rain and Temperatures have been over 30° cooler today in the northern half of New Mexico, while southern New Mexico is still climbing into the triple-digits. A few isolated storms will continue in eastern New Mexico through Saturday morning, before drier weather returns around 8 AM.

Drier and hotter weather moves in starting Saturday. Temperatures will climb back to near and warmer than normal Saturday afternoon with sunny to mostly sunny skies. It will be even hotter on Father’s Day with more 90s and 100s. The heat will continue into early next week, with high temperatures falling only a couple degrees. Windier weather develops Monday afternoon, likely bringing a high fire danger across parts of the state. The windy weather won’t last long with quieter conditions again by Wednesday.

A monsoon-like patter will develop late next week and bringing back scattered afternoon rain and thunderstorm chances beginning next Thursday and will likely continue into the following weekend.

This week, Anthony Moreno talks with Algernon D’Ammassa, managing editor with the Las Cruces Bulletin to recap local race results in the New Mexico primary election. Also, some communities in the state have already had to face fires this year. Jonny Coker talks with residents in Alto, New Mexico and fire officials to learn more about the challenges facing the state.

TAOS COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – It’s been a conversation in northern New Mexico for years. Now, after another apparent suicide this week at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge near Taos, community leaders said there is a dire need to find a solution to help save lives.

“One life lost out there is one too many. It weighs heavy on the community as a whole,” said Taos County Commissioner Darlene Vigil.

It’s a tourist destination, but it also has a dark history.

“The Gorge Bridge is definitely a place that many folks come to see. It has beautiful views, and unfortunately, it is being used often for suicide,” said Vigil.

On Tuesday, Taos County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, once again, for a possible suicide. Deputies recovered a body; this marks the third time they believe someone took their life this year.

The sheriff’s office said there’s continued concern for those on the bridge but also his deputies, who spearhead recovery efforts.

“It’s extremely challenging and dangerous. Every step, it could transition from a recovery to a rescue for the emergency personnel,” said Taos County Sheriff Steve Miera.

There have been years of discussion about putting more safety features on the bridge, like tall fencing or possible netting underneath. However, a 2019 study suggested the bridge would need improvements to support it.

“A complete structure analysis of the bridge would have to be done and also put the footings because that’s where all the weight goes,” said NMDOT Public Information Officer Jim Murray.

Vigil said the county plans to move forward with safety plans like adding memorials of those who have committed suicide there in the past, hoping it could act as a distraction to those considering suicide.

Since 2021, the state has continued to sit on $150,000 in capital outlay money for safety upgrades, which could be used to add fencing or cameras.

“We need action. We need to move that talking and conversation into action,” said Vigil.

Right now, there are crisis hotline phones at the bridge as well as an intervention security unit.