Monsoon rain and mild temperatures sweep across New Mexico

Clusters of monsoon showers and weak storms have moved into parts of New Mexico’s mountains and nearby areas, including the Four Corners and the Rio Grande Valley, bringing cool air, high humidity and occasional gusts of wind. Afternoon temperatures are expected to sit around average or a few degrees below average across the region.

Northern areas began the day with temperatures mostly ranging from the high 40s to the low 60s. Elsewhere to the south, temperatures ranged from the upper 50s to near 70 degrees, according to the forecast.

High temperatures may be lower in far-southern areas and most of western New Mexico because of high chances for rainfall. Slightly drier air will heat conditions up slightly in parts of the Rio Grande Valley and parts of the eastern plains, the forecast said.

From eastern New Mexico to the Pecos River Valley area, afternoon temperatures will range from the high 60s to the lower 90s from north-northwest to south-southeast, going from high to low elevation. Northern higher elevations will mostly see temperatures in the 50s, while northern valley floors to western and central areas will range from the upper 60s to the 80s.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will form across a vast majority of the mountains through western to northern communities, some parts of the Rio Grande Valley and a few parts of southern to eastern New Mexico through the Pecos River Valley. Storms are capable of heavy downpours, some hail, erratic wind gusts and frequent lightning strikes, according to the forecast.

Some flooding rain is likely through the end of the week with relatively mild air, the forecast said. High pressure east of the region moving closer to New Mexico, combined with an upper-level disturbance to the northwest moving east, has strengthened the pipeline of Pacific moisture. Drier air with slightly warmer conditions will return by the weekend.