textproduct: Albuquerque

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1114 AM MST Thu Jan 29 2026

- Dry conditions will prevail around the region through early next week as temperatures gradually moderate.

- There is a low chance that a disturbance brings mountain snow, lower elevation rain/snow mix, and colder temperatures late Tuesday into Wednesday.

SHORT TERM

(This evening through Friday night) Issued at 1114 AM MST Thu Jan 29 2026

Breezy north winds prevail around most of the area this morning in the wake of a cold frontal passage overnight. Winds are generally 30 mph or less, but a few gusts upwards of 40 mph cannot be ruled out in far eastern NM early this afternoon as the backdoor portion of the front pushes southward down the eastern plains. The cold air advection is generally pretty weak, with temperatures today largely unaffected by the cold front. In fact, temperatures in portions of eastern NM, including Roswell, will actually be higher today thanks to deeper mixing from the stronger winds. This will allow more snow to melt in the southeast plains, likely leaving only an inch or two in most areas.

Another N/S oriented jet max will move overhead on Friday allowing another northerly breeze to develop, although the winds should be less strong than today. High temperatures will be nearly identical to today with mostly sunny skies around the region.

LONG TERM

(Saturday through Wednesday) Issued at 1114 AM MST Thu Jan 29 2026

A ridge will amplify over the desert southwest this weekend, placing New Mexico under dry northwest flow. This will keep the temperatures above average in most areas, with the biggest departures from normal in the northwest. A dry cold front will slide into the eastern plains early Saturday morning, although recent guidance has backed off the westward progression of this front recently.

Uncertainty with regard to the synoptic pattern remains high early to mid-next week. The GEFS and EPS ensemble means have both trended stronger with the aformentioned ridge, suggesting a lower chance for a trough to slide southward down the east slopes of the Rockies. 90th percentile guidance from both GEFS and EPS ensembles are only around a few inches in the northern mountains so chances for appreciable snowfall have trended lower. Dry conditions with above normal temperatures are expected to return late next week as a ridge dominates over The Great Basin.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1017 AM MST Thu Jan 29 2026

VFR conditions will continue to prevail through the TAF period. Breezy north winds prevail in most areas today, with the strongest winds in the eastern plains. Winds will weaken around sunset, with light winds areawide overnight. Other than a few batches of high clouds moving across the area, mostly clear skies are expected.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1114 AM MST Thu Jan 29 2026

Breezy north winds prevail around the region today, with winds trending lower late afternoon into the overnight hours. Winds will be weaker tomorrow, with light winds and poor to fair ventilation in most areas. Ventilation trends even worse over the weekend as ridging builds over the desert southwest. There is still a low chance for a weak winter storm in the northern mountains mid-next week, although precip. chances and potential snow amounts have trended lower. Even if there is no rain/snow, the strengthening northerly flow should result in cooler temperatures and at least minor improvements to ventilation during this time period.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Farmington...................... 20 48 22 50 / 0 0 0 0 Dulce........................... 11 47 13 51 / 0 0 0 0 Cuba............................ 16 45 19 49 / 0 0 0 0 Gallup.......................... 13 50 15 56 / 0 0 0 0 El Morro........................ 20 48 21 54 / 0 0 0 0 Grants.......................... 14 50 16 56 / 0 0 0 0 Quemado......................... 20 49 21 55 / 0 0 0 0 Magdalena....................... 27 50 28 53 / 0 0 0 0 Datil........................... 23 48 24 54 / 0 0 0 0 Reserve......................... 19 58 20 63 / 0 0 0 0 Glenwood........................ 23 64 23 66 / 0 0 0 0 Chama........................... 12 42 15 46 / 0 0 0 0 Los Alamos...................... 23 43 24 47 / 0 0 0 0 Pecos........................... 19 48 19 51 / 0 0 0 0 Cerro/Questa.................... 17 42 19 46 / 0 0 0 0 Red River....................... 12 34 15 39 / 0 0 0 0 Angel Fire...................... 1 39 6 44 / 0 0 0 0 Taos............................ 9 45 13 48 / 0 0 0 0 Mora............................ 15 47 17 53 / 0 0 0 0 Espanola........................ 16 50 18 53 / 0 0 0 0 Santa Fe........................ 22 45 23 48 / 0 0 0 0 Santa Fe Airport................ 19 47 21 48 / 0 0 0 0 Albuquerque Foothills........... 28 50 29 52 / 0 0 0 0 Albuquerque Heights............. 26 52 26 54 / 0 0 0 0 Albuquerque Valley.............. 24 55 24 56 / 0 0 0 0 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 26 52 26 55 / 0 0 0 0 Belen........................... 20 54 19 55 / 0 0 0 0 Bernalillo...................... 25 52 25 55 / 0 0 0 0 Bosque Farms.................... 19 54 20 55 / 0 0 0 0 Corrales........................ 25 53 25 56 / 0 0 0 0 Los Lunas....................... 21 54 21 55 / 0 0 0 0 Placitas........................ 27 47 28 50 / 0 0 0 0 Rio Rancho...................... 26 52 26 55 / 0 0 0 0 Socorro......................... 25 56 26 58 / 0 0 0 0 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 24 44 24 46 / 0 0 0 0 Tijeras......................... 25 45 26 47 / 0 0 0 0 Edgewood........................ 20 46 20 48 / 0 0 0 0 Moriarty/Estancia............... 14 47 13 51 / 0 0 0 0 Clines Corners.................. 19 42 18 45 / 0 0 0 0 Mountainair..................... 21 47 21 50 / 0 0 0 0 Gran Quivira.................... 21 47 21 50 / 0 0 0 0 Carrizozo....................... 24 50 25 51 / 0 0 0 0 Ruidoso......................... 23 46 23 48 / 0 0 0 0 Capulin......................... 16 44 13 51 / 0 0 0 0 Raton........................... 14 47 13 51 / 0 0 0 0 Springer........................ 13 50 13 53 / 0 0 0 0 Las Vegas....................... 17 47 16 53 / 0 0 0 0 Clayton......................... 23 51 19 47 / 0 0 0 0 Roy............................. 18 48 17 46 / 0 0 0 0 Conchas......................... 21 55 20 52 / 0 0 0 0 Santa Rosa...................... 22 52 20 52 / 0 0 0 0 Tucumcari....................... 20 55 18 51 / 0 0 0 0 Clovis.......................... 24 52 21 43 / 0 0 0 0 Portales........................ 22 54 18 45 / 0 0 0 0 Fort Sumner..................... 20 52 18 45 / 0 0 0 0 Roswell......................... 20 49 20 41 / 0 0 0 0 Picacho......................... 24 52 22 51 / 0 0 0 0 Elk............................. 21 55 21 56 / 0 0 0 0

ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.