textproduct: Albuquerque

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 356 AM MST Sun Nov 16 2025

- Rain showers and mountain snow showers are expected over western and north central New Mexico this afternoon and overnight. A few inches of snow are expected above 8500 feet, mainly near the Colorado border in the Tusas Mountains.

- A Pacific storm system will bring cooler and unsettled conditions from Tuesday through Thursday, with mountain snow and valley rain.

- There is a moderate chance (50-70%) that winter highlights will be required for accumulating snow in the mountains with the mid week system.

SHORT TERM

(Today through Monday) Issued at 1201 AM MST Sun Nov 16 2025

An upper level low is currently lifting northeast into SoCal per the latest water vapor satellite imagery and is forecast to continue moving northeast toward the central and southern Rockies tonight, then eject out over the central US Plains on Monday. The upper level trough axis is forecast to become negatively tilted and give a glancing blow to northwest NM later today/tonight, bringing increased cloud cover, breezy to windy and cooler conditions including chances for precipitation. The best chances for precipitation will be along/west of the Continental Divide later today and tonight, where a few lightning strikes can not be ruled out. Snow levels will be high, with only the peaks of the northern mountains forecast to accumulate a few inches of snow. Specifically, the Tusas Mountains near the CO border look to benefit the most from some high mountain snow thanks partially to westerly upslope forcing. Stronger westerly winds aloft will move over northern NM tonight into early Monday and bring windy conditions to the peaks and east slopes of the Sangre De Cristos, including the Central Highlands. A Wind Advisory may be required for gusts to between 50-55mph. Breezy to locally windy conditions will develop early Monday across much of eastern NM.

LONG TERM

(Monday night through Saturday) Issued at 1201 AM MST Sun Nov 16 2025

The next in a series of Pacific systems will approach on Tue/Wed, then move over the area on Thursday. This system will bring more of a direct hit to NM, with good chances for precipitation. The upper low isn't overly impressive at around 555dam at 500mb, but 700mb temperatures are forecast to fall to around -5 to -7C Wednesday night into Thursday which would be sufficient to bring a change from rain to snow across the lower elevations of central and western NM. A missing ingredient is a backdoor cold front, which would turn this scenario into a more widespread winter storm event. However, there is some potential for significant snow accumulation in the northern mountains given the current forecast track of the upper low bringing wrap-around precipitation to north central and northeast NM. At this time, there is a moderate chance (50-70%) that winter highlights will be required for this event, mainly in the mountains. Notably colder conditions will come with a Pacific front on Thursday and continue into Friday in advance of the next Pacific system. There is significant model spread with this system, so will refrain from getting into the weeds at this time.

AVIATION

(12Z TAFS) Issued at 356 AM MST Sun Nov 16 2025

VFR conditions prevail and are forecast to persist across central and eastern NM. However, deterioration is forecast across western NM, with periods of MVFR cigs in sct/num showers and storms late this afternoon through early evening. Thunderstorm impacts are forecast at KGUP and KFMN late this afternoon. Otherwise, the development and gradual lowering of VFR cigs are forecast across western NM. Gusty southwest winds will develop later today, then turn to the west overnight and partially decouple. Areas of low level wind shear will likely develop later this evening, but are not forecast to impact TAF sites at this time.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1201 AM MST Sun Nov 16 2025

Critical fire weather conditions are not forecast through at least the next seven days as a series of upper level troughs/lows impact the region. The mid week system will bring cooler conditions with higher humidity and good chances for wetting precipitation in the form of valley rain and mountain snow. Vent rates will be a mixed bag of fair to good, but are forecast to take a dip toward the end of the week and into next weekend.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Farmington...................... 64 36 53 34 / 60 50 0 10 Dulce........................... 60 29 48 21 / 40 80 5 5 Cuba............................ 62 30 51 29 / 30 50 0 5 Gallup.......................... 59 32 53 32 / 50 20 0 20 El Morro........................ 58 34 51 33 / 40 20 0 10 Grants.......................... 63 32 55 31 / 30 20 0 10 Quemado......................... 60 34 57 34 / 20 10 0 10 Magdalena....................... 65 37 59 37 / 0 0 0 0 Datil........................... 60 33 56 34 / 5 5 0 0 Reserve......................... 61 30 59 30 / 30 10 0 10 Glenwood........................ 66 33 63 33 / 30 10 0 10 Chama........................... 55 27 42 22 / 20 80 5 0 Los Alamos...................... 61 35 52 34 / 5 40 0 0 Pecos........................... 63 33 53 32 / 0 10 0 0 Cerro/Questa.................... 60 31 48 27 / 0 40 0 0 Red River....................... 54 28 44 23 / 0 30 0 0 Angel Fire...................... 59 30 47 13 / 0 30 0 0 Taos............................ 63 30 52 25 / 0 40 0 0 Mora............................ 65 32 53 29 / 0 20 0 0 Espanola........................ 68 37 57 30 / 5 40 0 0 Santa Fe........................ 64 39 53 34 / 0 20 0 0 Santa Fe Airport................ 66 37 56 31 / 0 20 0 0 Albuquerque Foothills........... 67 41 57 40 / 5 10 0 0 Albuquerque Heights............. 69 43 60 39 / 5 10 0 0 Albuquerque Valley.............. 71 37 63 33 / 5 10 0 0 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 68 38 60 37 / 5 10 0 0 Belen........................... 72 37 63 32 / 5 5 0 0 Bernalillo...................... 69 39 60 35 / 5 20 0 0 Bosque Farms.................... 71 34 62 30 / 5 5 0 0 Corrales........................ 69 38 60 34 / 5 20 0 0 Los Lunas....................... 71 36 62 32 / 5 5 0 0 Placitas........................ 67 40 56 38 / 5 20 0 0 Rio Rancho...................... 68 39 58 37 / 5 20 0 0 Socorro......................... 73 41 65 38 / 0 0 0 0 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 63 36 53 35 / 0 10 0 0 Tijeras......................... 64 38 54 36 / 0 10 0 0 Edgewood........................ 65 35 55 32 / 0 5 0 0 Moriarty/Estancia............... 67 31 57 25 / 0 5 0 0 Clines Corners.................. 64 34 54 31 / 0 0 0 0 Mountainair..................... 66 36 57 33 / 0 5 0 0 Gran Quivira.................... 66 36 58 34 / 0 0 0 0 Carrizozo....................... 69 43 61 40 / 0 0 0 0 Ruidoso......................... 63 40 56 38 / 0 0 0 0 Capulin......................... 68 33 60 29 / 0 0 0 0 Raton........................... 70 32 62 27 / 0 5 0 0 Springer........................ 73 33 63 27 / 0 5 0 0 Las Vegas....................... 67 37 59 32 / 0 5 0 0 Clayton......................... 71 42 67 37 / 0 0 0 0 Roy............................. 69 37 64 33 / 0 0 0 0 Conchas......................... 77 44 69 36 / 0 0 0 0 Santa Rosa...................... 75 42 65 38 / 0 0 0 0 Tucumcari....................... 78 45 72 39 / 0 0 0 0 Clovis.......................... 77 45 71 42 / 0 0 0 0 Portales........................ 78 44 72 40 / 0 0 0 0 Fort Sumner..................... 77 42 70 38 / 0 0 0 0 Roswell......................... 81 46 75 42 / 0 0 0 0 Picacho......................... 76 43 69 40 / 0 0 0 0 Elk............................. 72 40 65 37 / 0 0 0 0

ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.