Colder air is set to move into New Mexico starting Monday, significantly impacting local weather patterns. Following a frigid front sweeping through the eastern and northern regions of the state, high temperatures are registering over 25°F lower than those experienced on Saturday. The transition is marked by the arrival of clouds and mid-level moisture indicative of an approaching storm system. This system is anticipated to bring snow to the San Juan Mountains located in southern Colorado and the northern parts of New Mexico, beginning tonight. This marks the start of a series of weather shifts as the week progresses.
As we move into Tuesday, warmer weather is expected to return, but with it comes intermittent snowfall and sporadic showers that are likely to affect northern New Mexico along with southern Colorado. The westerly winds are projected to pick up speed on Wednesday, with gusts potentially reaching as high as 65 mph, particularly along and east of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and east of the Sandia mountains. This wind-driven warm-up will coincide with increased snow accumulation in the San Juan Mountains and light showers in southwest Colorado and northwest New Mexico, setting the stage for significant weather changes in the vicinity.
By Wednesday afternoon, most of New Mexico is projected to enjoy above-average temperatures before facing yet another cold front from the northeast, along with a Pacific front moving in from the west. These dual fronts are expected to enhance both mountain snowfall and valley rain chances primarily affecting northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Furthermore, breezy winds will persist, adding to the dynamic weather conditions. The snow is predicted to become heavier, particularly in the mountainous regions, as the storm progresses through Wednesday.
As the storm system continues through Thursday morning, rain and mountain snow will remain a factor in northern New Mexico. However, these conditions are expected to taper off as the day progresses. Although travel impacts are not anticipated to be significant across New Mexico, some winds and heavier snowfall could create challenges in high mountain passes, especially in southern Colorado. Specifically, the San Juan Mountains could receive as much as 1 to 2 feet of snow above 8,000 feet, with up to 40 inches at elevations above 10,000 feet, while New Mexico’s San Juan region might see snow totals ranging from 5 to 10 inches and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains receiving between 1 to 12 inches.
Thanksgiving Day will bring a notable drop in temperatures across the state, accompanied by drier air moving in during the afternoon. This shift will likely lead to a marked decline in available moisture, allowing for clearer weather conditions. As a result, while the day may start off snowy in certain higher elevations, it will progressively become quieter with less precipitation expected. Following the Thanksgiving holiday, the weather is predicted to stabilize and embrace a gradual warming trend heading into the weekend. Saturday, in particular, may see breezier conditions as New Mexico settles into a more consistent weather pattern as the season concludes.
In summary, New Mexico weather over the upcoming days illustrates a dynamic interplay between cold fronts, warming periods, and snowfall. Following a chilly start to the week, the state will experience a temporary warm-up, before encountering another cold front which could bring substantial precipitation, especially in mountainous regions. Thanksgiving will mark the transition toward more tranquil weather, leading into a gradual warming pattern, promising a shift that will hopefully balance out the shifts in temperatures and precipitation that have characterized early winter in New Mexico.
