Windy start to the week with isolated storms expected across New Mexico

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.