Heavy rain, storms and mountain snow are moving into parts of New Mexico this weekend

Our first storm system of the fall is moving into New Mexico today. There will be heavy rain, severe storms and mountain snow over the weekend.

Strong winds developed Friday across the western half of New Mexico ahead of our first fall storm of the season. Wind gusts of over 50 miles per hour were recorded in Albuquerque, causing dust to blow up. Scattered showers, a few thunderstorms and mountain snow. Additional thunderstorms are expected across eastern New Mexico through this evening and into the overnight hours. While in western New Mexico, a strong cold front will begin moving east across the state, also bringing more showers and mountain snow.

The storm system will continue to move through New Mexico throughout Saturday. Rain and mountain snow will be primarily concentrated in the northern and eastern halves of the state. Heavy snowfall is possible in the northern mountains and particularly in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. Although New Mexico's heaviest snow remains on mountaintops, it has little impact on most. However, isolated strong to severe storms are expected in eastern New Mexico through Saturday evening. These storms will produce heavy rainfall and could bring gusty winds, large hail and even an isolated tornado or two. Temperatures will be much cooler across the state on Saturday, with breezy winds.

Heavy rains will continue to fall across portions of eastern New Mexico Saturday night into Sunday morning while western New Mexico begins to dry out. Scattered showers and thunderstorms, as well as mountain snow, will continue across northern and eastern New Mexico through Sunday evening. Once this storm moves away Sunday evening, parts of eastern New Mexico will see between 1 and 5 inches of rainfall. While it will be over 9,000 feet in the northern mountains, a few to several inches of snow will have fallen, with up to 3 feet in the San Juans of southwest Colorado. Temperatures will be very cold heading out the door Monday morning as drier and colder air moves in behind the storm system.

A warming trend will begin Monday as high pressure begins to build again over the Southwest. This means our weather will remain calm and dry throughout next week. By Tuesday, high temperatures will rise back above normal.

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