Monsoon moisture soaks New Mexico, flash flood watch issued (52 chars)
Monsoon moisture is moving over New Mexico, bringing the threat of heavy rainfall and a flash flood watch to parts of the state this week. The National Weather Service planned to issue a Flood Watch for parts of Grant County and western Sierra County on Tuesday for the risk of locally heavy rainfall.
The wet pattern was already underway. Light rain fell across the Albuquerque metro through a dreary morning, with a bit of blue sky returning late in the morning over Albuquerque and west central New Mexico.
Additional showers and thunderstorms were expected across the state through the workweek as moisture continued to push over the area.
“Locally heavy rainfall cannot be ruled out of the forecast each day, especially as the soil becomes more saturated throughout the week,” the National Weather Service said. The locally heavy rainfall could lead to the potential for flash flooding.
Monday’s forecast called for scattered showers and storms developing in the afternoon and evening across New Mexico, the metro and southwest Colorado.
The wet weather was also bringing cooler temperatures. Highs on Monday were forecast for the 80s and 90s across the state, with Albuquerque reaching around 80 degrees by Thursday.
Sunday had been a record-setting afternoon across New Mexico, with temperatures climbing into the 80s, 90s and 100s. Albuquerque recorded its 100th day of the year with a high of 90 degrees or warmer. The annual average is 64 such days.
