Winds increase across New Mexico through Sunday, threatening Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Breezy weather continues to build across New Mexico this weekend alongside isolated showers in western areas. Gusty conditions may disrupt the final Mass Ascension at Balloon Fiesta on Sunday morning in Albuquerque. Surface winds should still remain light enough for a static display.
Storms will spread further into western, northern, and central regions overnight. These showers will continue moving across the state through Sunday morning. Albuquerque should stay dry during that morning period.
Winds above the ground could create problems for the balloons. Sunday afternoon will bring the strongest gusts of the entire weekend. Southwest gusts between 25 and 40 mph will spread across the state.
Some areas could see gusts reaching up to 50 mph. Rain chances will also persist across New Mexico into Sunday evening.
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta holds mass ascensions during scheduled morning sessions. Morning flight decisions depend on wind speeds at the surface and higher altitudes.
Storm chances will taper as the weekend concludes.
