ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Temperatures are set to drop significantly across the state, with the coldest day expected Saturday at 52 degrees in the metro area.
The second cold front this week is already sweeping through the state this morning, coming in much faster than projected model data. This is kicking up strong northerly winds along eastern New Mexico along with dust being picked up as well. Colder conditions are coming in behind this front to start the morning and will continue into the afternoon.
Wind Advisories have been issued for our far south and eastern communities this morning as winds have been +40 mph. Parts of northeast New Mexico have already seen their advisories expire early as wind gusts come down low enough falling below advisory criteria. Curry and Roosevelt County advisories will expire at 8 a.m. Lea and Eddy County advisories continue until 11 a.m.
As the cold front continues to work south and east through the day, again, biggest effects will be felt on the eastern side of the state. Winds will pick up in the northern half of the state through the afternoon. Northerly gusts will be around 20-30 mph. By late tonight, it will have cleared the Land of Enchantment as it moves eastward.
The weekend
Colder air sinks into New Mexico for Saturday morning and afternoon, and again on Sunday morning. Saturday afternoon highs will be the coldest for the next 7 days, especially chilliest across eastern New Mexico – only warming up to the 30s and 40s. Albuquerque will be in the low 50s. Waking up Sunday morning will be the coldest in the next 7 days, staying in the teens and 20s. Sunday afternoon highs will trend upwards again. Dry conditions will persist all weekend.
Another weak cool front moves through Sunday into Monday, knocking highs back again for eastern New Mexico Monday afternoon.
