Thursday's Storm Is Fizzling Out.

GFS 500 MB/18,000' MSL Forecast At 5 AM MST Thu Jan 20, 2011.

Update 3:30 PM Today-

Special Weather Statement From NWS Albuquerque
Winter Returns To NM Wednesday Night Into Thursday.

Fire Weather Watch For All Of SE NM Wednesday!
Critically Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions Return.

I recorded a high temperature of 81 here at my home in Carlsbad, NM yesterday afternoon. The calendar says it's mid January, but it felt more like March. Today will be a little cooler behind a weak cold front. Our afternoon highs will range from the upper 60's to near 70.

Normal High/Low Temps For Jan 18th-

Roswell 55/24

Artesia 56/21

Carlsbad Climate 58/27

Carslbad Airport 56/28

Hobbs 56/29

Tatum 54/23

Capitan 49/22

Ruidoso 50/20

Elk 52/21

Cloudcroft 41/17

It appeared yesterday that we were in store for some snow across southeastern New Mexico on Thursday. These hopes are being dashed this morning, as the latest model runs are tending to take the next upper level storm that is forecast to affect the area, further to the north with each new run. Bummer.

Wednesday will see another round of near record to record high temperatures across the local area. Southwesterly downsloping winds of around 20-30 mph with stronger gusts will help to kick our afternoon highs up some twenty degrees or so above normal. Most of us will see highs ranging from the upper 70's to the low 80's. 

A cold front will move southward and into the area by Thursday morning. This should knock our afternoon high temperatures back down into the low-mid 40's. There may be a few light snow showers over the area...but this is looking less likely with time.

The Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction!