Monsoon moisture surges into New Mexico, bringing widespread rain
Monsoon moisture began moving back into New Mexico on Sunday, bringing isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening, with a bigger surge of moisture expected to bring widespread rain later this week. Forecasters say the best chance for widespread rainfall will come Wednesday and Thursday.
Despite the return of rain, the heat stuck around Sunday, with record highs recorded in Albuquerque, Roswell and Farmington. Albuquerque also recorded its 100th day at 90 degrees or hotter this year. Spotty showers were expected to continue across parts of New Mexico overnight.
A bigger surge of monsoon moisture was set to move in Monday, bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms to more of the state and beginning a trend toward cooler temperatures, with highs falling closer to normal for this time of year. Storms were expected to move from south to northeast through the afternoon and evening, likely bringing some rain to the Albuquerque Metro after 4 p.m.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms were forecast to return Tuesday afternoon, with a higher threat for heavy rainfall across western New Mexico, especially south of I-40. Temperatures were expected to continue cooling.
The biggest surge of monsoon moisture was set to arrive Wednesday and Thursday. Atmospheric moisture could climb to more than double the average for mid-September and near record levels in some areas. The forecast called for widespread rain across New Mexico, with a large part of the state facing a threat for heavy rainfall and flash flooding.
“Rain chances also look very good in the Albuquerque Metro both days,” the forecast said. High temperatures were expected to hover near or even below average.
Scattered storms were forecast to continue Friday, with coverage a little lower than Wednesday and Thursday, but scattered rain and thunderstorms were expected to remain possible as temperatures cooled even more.
Cooler weather was expected to stick around through next weekend, with rain chances continuing across parts of New Mexico.
