ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Record heat and blazing sunshine in Albuquerque make it feel like summer is already here, despite the calendar marking spring’s start on Friday.

Residents may wonder if it’s time to prepare their coolers for the warmer days ahead. The question remains whether the cold weather is truly over.

Climate data indicates that Albuquerque’s last freeze typically occurs in April, extending into May during extreme years. However, this year has been unusually warm.

The Climate Prediction Center’s forecast suggests that the current weather pattern, which has brought hot days, will continue into April with above-average temperatures across the Western United States and New Mexico.

While a few more freezes or cold days can’t be ruled out, the general trend for April and most of spring points to more warm temperatures.