Spring Has Sprung - Our Meteorological Beginning Of Spring Anyway.

February 18, 2022.
Looking East At Sierra Blanca Peak.
From Just West Of Three Rivers, NM.

Spring Winds Arrive Right On Time.

(11 PM MST Thursday Night).


(At 6:11 AM MST Friday Morning).




Our meteorological winter (Dec 1st -Feb 28th) has come to a close. Spring has sprung and in true New Mexico fashion. Late last night a closed mid-upper level low was located just southwest of Los Angeles, CA. 

This is clearly visible on the water vapor satellite image above. This storm is forecast to open up and weaken as it pivots northeastward across Arizona today, then across the Four Corners Region tonight. Then into eastern Colorado by sunrise Saturday morning.


Valid At 5 PM MST This Friday Afternoon.

Valid At 5 PM MST Saturday Afternoon.

At the surface a series of Pacific cold fronts will sweep eastward across New Mexico and the region today, Saturday, and Sunday. For the local area, this means warmer than normal temperatures today then a slow cool down into the first of next week. With a very dry airmass in place at the surface and a northern storm track, no precipitation is anticipated over the southeastern plains of New Mexico and across West Texas.






Scattered light rain showers fell over the Sacramento Mountains overnight into early this morning. Rainfall totals were less than a tenth of an inch...at least what was reported so far. 

Unseasonably Warm Today & Windy.


Today.


Saturday.


Sunday.


Monday.


Tuesday.



Tuesday Morning.


Forecast high temperatures across southeastern New Mexico and parts of West Texas are expected to climb up into the low-mid 80's this afternoon. These readings will be some 10-15 degrees above normal for the date. A few spots may end up being a couple of degrees warmer. The Sacramento mountains will see afternoon highs ranging from the low 50's in the Cloudcroft area to the low 60's in the Ruidoso area today.

 A slightly cooler airmass will overspread the area tonight into Saturday as the first Pacific cold front swings through the area. Highs on Saturday will be in the low-mid 70's over southeastern New Mexico and parts of West Texas. High across the Sacramento mountains on Saturday will range from the mid 40's in the Cloudcroft area to the low 50's in the Ruidoso area. Highs on Sunday and Monday will be about 5-10-degrees cooler. 

Tuesday morning will see the coldest temperatures with lows forecast to range in the teens in the eastern plains and parts of southeastern New Mexico, as well as across the Sacramento mountains. Most of southeastern New Mexico and nearby West Texas will see lows in the low-mid 20's. 

Windy Today - More So On Sunday.

Southwesterly winds sustained at around 25-35 mph with gusts near 45 mph are forecast for the southeastern plains of New Mexico today. Southwesterly winds sustained at around 35-45 mph with gusts near 65 mph are forecast for the Guadalupe mountains. Southwesterly winds sustained at around 25-35 mph with gusts near 50 mph are forecast for southern New Mexico including the Sacramento mountains today. Wind Advisories are in effect. A High Wind Warning is in effect for the Guadalupe mountains today and a High Wind Watch is in effect for the Guadalupe's for west winds sustained at around 40-50 mph with gusts near 70 mph.

Localized areas of blowing dust will occur this afternoon over the area but more so over southern New Mexico. Blowing dust will become more widespread with lower visibilities on Sunday with the stronger winds forecast for the area. 

Red Flag Warnings are in effect today for the local area. Critically Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions are forecast today. Any outdoor activity that involves the use of sparks or flame is highly discouraged due to the very dry conditions, expected strong winds, and high fire danger.

The Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction!

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