ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Slow-moving storms could bring localized flooding across central and eastern New Mexico, with 1 to 3 inches of rain already reported in four counties.
Showers and thunderstorms will gradually decrease through the evening across central and eastern New Mexico. Some storms may linger until around midnight in Roswell, Artesia, Clovis, Portales, Tucumcari and Clayton.
Parts of Chaves, Roosevelt, Curry and Quay counties have picked up between one and three inches of rainfall. Additional storms over those same areas could lead to minor flooding issues.
Deep moisture spread farther west by Wednesday, with overnight dewpoints climbing into the 40s as far west as Farmington. Forecasters said that moisture remains relatively shallow, so western New Mexico will likely see a mix of wet and dry thunderstorms.
Scattered storms are expected from Farmington, Gallup, Grants and the Continental Divide. Many of those storms may bring more wind than rain, while far southwestern New Mexico, including the Gila region, may see wetter storms.
Farther east, heavy rainfall remains the main concern as thunderstorms develop along the central mountain chain and spread eastward through the afternoon and evening. That includes Ruidoso, Capitan, Carrizozo, Corona, Moriarty, Clines Corners, Santa Rosa, Roswell, Portales, Clovis and Tucumcari.
Heavy rainfall over burn scars could lead to rapid runoff, debris flows and dangerous flash flooding. The Albuquerque metro also faces a risk of locally heavy rainfall if storms drift westward or form along outflow boundaries.
Thunderstorm coverage begins to decrease Thursday as a ridge of high pressure builds into western New Mexico and brings somewhat drier air. Storms will become more confined to the central mountain chain, the Sacramentos, the Capitans and parts of southwestern New Mexico.
The drying trend continues Friday and Saturday, with storm chances shifting farther east. The best chances for afternoon storms will be from Ruidoso, Roswell, Clovis, Portales, Las Vegas and Raton eastward.
