Cold fronts to bring gusty winds and freezing weather to New Mexico
A strong Pacific front will deliver freezing temperatures and gusty winds to New Mexico on Thursday morning. The incoming system ends late-season warmth and brings widespread changes across the state. It will mark the first freeze of the season for multiple communities.
Cloud cover kept western New Mexico cooler on Tuesday. Breezy winds from the south and southwest pushed warm air into eastern New Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley. Highs climbed into the 90s in sections of eastern New Mexico.
That heat ends Wednesday. A Pacific front will sweep across the state during the day. Western New Mexico will face the largest temperature drop alongside westerly wind gusts reaching 40 mph.
Showers, thunderstorms and mountain snow could hit northwest New Mexico and southwest Colorado. A Winter Weather Advisory takes effect Wednesday for the San Juan Mountains in southern Colorado. Between 4 and 8 inches of snow may fall above 10,000 feet.
Colder air will spread behind the front by Thursday morning. Freezing conditions are forecast for parts of western New Mexico and the upper Rio Grande Valley. Most areas will see a brief temperature rise Thursday afternoon.
A secondary backdoor front will arrive in northeastern New Mexico on Thursday. It will advance southwest toward the Rio Grande Valley by late afternoon. Strong canyon winds will develop Thursday evening.
Southern New Mexico could experience wind gusts reaching 55 mph. Wind speeds elsewhere will exceed 40 mph. High temperatures will drop again on Friday across the state. Cooler conditions will persist through Friday afternoon alongside gusty winds.
Saturday will begin cold before temperatures rise in the afternoon. Readings will remain below normal statewide. An upper-level low over southern California will steer moisture across western New Mexico. Isolated showers and thunderstorms will develop Saturday afternoon, mainly west of the Rio Grande Valley.
A cold front marks the boundary where an advancing mass of cold air replaces warmer air. Backdoor fronts push in from the north or northeast rather than the west.
Sunday will turn slightly warmer. Rain chances will linger across northern and western New Mexico.
