Monsoon rain brings flash flood threat to New Mexico this week

Monsoon moisture is surging into New Mexico this week, bringing widespread rain chances and a threat of heavy rainfall and flash flooding across the state. Rain chances will peak Wednesday and Thursday, according to the forecast.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms moved across western, central and northern New Mexico on Monday afternoon, along with southern Colorado. Some storms produced locally heavy rain and flash flooding. The clouds and rain kept temperatures in the 60s across parts of western New Mexico, while drier areas of eastern New Mexico climbed into the upper 90s.

Storms will continue moving northeast across the state Monday evening. Rain will become more showery overnight, though some areas could continue seeing rain into early Tuesday morning.

Another round of scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop Tuesday afternoon, especially near the Continental Divide and central mountain chain. Areas that receive heavy rain Monday could be more vulnerable to runoff and flooding Tuesday. Stronger storms will also be possible in northeast New Mexico as a backdoor front moves into the area.

The wettest part of the week is still expected Wednesday and Thursday. Deep monsoon moisture will remain over New Mexico, bringing widespread showers and thunderstorms. Repeated rounds of rain could continue raising the threat of flash flooding where storms repeatedly move over the same areas.

Clouds and rain will also bring much cooler temperatures by the end of the week, with highs several degrees below average across western and central New Mexico.

Rain chances will begin decreasing in northwest New Mexico Friday as drier air moves in. Scattered storms will continue elsewhere before rain chances gradually drop across more of the state this weekend.