textproduct: Albuquerque

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1243 AM MST Fri Dec 12 2025

- Dry and unseasonably mild weather will persist through at least the middle of next week across central and northern New Mexico.

- Breezy northwest winds along the central highlands of eastern New Mexico most days (except today and Sunday) will create some difficult crosswinds for large and high-profile vehicles.

SHORT TERM

(Today through Sunday night) Issued at 1243 AM MST Fri Dec 12 2025

A weak backdoor "cold" front entering eastern NM today will trend high temps around 10 to 20F cooler than yesterday, which is still about 10 to 15F above normal. Northeast winds behind the front will gust to between 15 and 25 mph near the Caprock and southeast plains. Central and western NM will remain under the influence of strong upper level ridging with light winds and more near-record warmth.

Surface winds will veer around to the southwest tonight across the eastern plains as surface low pressure deepens over northeast NM. This will keep low temps 10 to 15F above normal as well. A subtle shortwave trough will move quickly southeast across the southern Rockies Saturday with a mid level speed max of 40 to 50kt across northern and central NM. A strong surface pressure gradient along the central mt chain will work with the stronger winds aloft to bring breezy northwest winds to the high plains of eastern NM. Wind gusts are expected to reach the 30 to 40 mph range from near Clines Corners to Vaughn and eastern Lincoln County. Reasonable high-end gusts from the NBM and REFS average 40 to 50 mph. The stronger winds are likely to occur during the morning and early afternoon before a northeast wind shift enters eastern NM with a stronger backdoor cold front. High temps will still be roughly 10 to 20F above normal for central and southeast NM where a few more near-record highs are likely.

The surface front will surge southwest to the central mt chain Saturday evening then west into the RGV after midnight. Forecast confidence has increased that a period of light to potentially moderate gap winds will develop in the RGV. Surface pressure falls over AZ in association with an approaching upper level shortwave may help to strengthen the pressure gradient across the southern Rockies. A 1045mb surface high moving south down the Great Plains will also help to provide consistent pressure rises into eastern NM. The latest NBM and REFS high-end gusts range from 30 to 40 mph below canyons. More details will become available as higher-res models begin to capture Sunday morning. Other than the period of breezy to windy conditions, this front will help to cool temps over eastern NM closer to normal Sunday. Central and western NM will cool a few degrees but still remain near 10F above normal. Surface winds will begin to veer around to the southwest Sunday afternoon as the next surface trough develops along the Front Range thru Sunday night.

LONG TERM

(Monday through Wednesday) Issued at 1243 AM MST Fri Dec 12 2025

The persistent upper level ridge that has been parked off the CA coast the past week or so will crest over NM Monday while a pair of dry upper level shortwaves approach from the west. These dry waves will attempt to phase over AZ or NM thru Tuesday with yet another round of stronger winds for the central mt chain and nearby high plains. Breezy to locally windy conditions are expected with warming temps once again. Stronger zonal flow developing over the western CONUS in the wake of these waves may bring even stronger winds to the same area Wednesday. The latest NBM 50th percentile gusts are already in the 35 to 45 mph with the reasonable high- end gusts in the 45 to 60 mph range along the central mt chain.

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 1012 PM MST Thu Dec 11 2025

VFR conditions prevail and are forecast to persist through the TAF period with mostly light winds.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1243 AM MST Fri Dec 12 2025

A weak front entering eastern NM today will lead to cooler temps and higher humidity for eastern NM. Stronger winds are expected near the central mt chain Saturday with min RH falling to near 15%. The next backdoor cold front will enter eastern NM Saturday evening with much cooler air and excellent humidity recoveries Sunday. The front will create gap winds in the RGV as well with slightly cooler temps over central and western NM Sunday. West/northwest winds will strengthen again Monday and Tuesday with gusts in the 25 to 35 mph range, min RH values near 15%, and well above normal temps again for eastern NM. Even stronger winds are possible Wednesday when there is a slightly higher risk for critical fire weather conditions. ERC values are still generally below the 50th percentile in most areas. Poor ventilation will remain in place areawide thru early next week with pockets of fair rates possible over parts of eastern NM.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Farmington...................... 52 26 53 27 / 0 0 0 0 Dulce........................... 58 21 56 22 / 0 0 0 0 Cuba............................ 55 26 55 24 / 0 0 0 0 Gallup.......................... 60 19 62 19 / 0 0 0 0 El Morro........................ 60 27 60 27 / 0 0 0 0 Grants.......................... 62 21 62 20 / 0 0 0 0 Quemado......................... 61 28 61 27 / 0 0 0 0 Magdalena....................... 60 35 63 31 / 0 0 0 0 Datil........................... 61 29 61 28 / 0 0 0 0 Reserve......................... 72 28 68 26 / 0 0 0 0 Glenwood........................ 76 31 72 30 / 0 0 0 0 Chama........................... 54 22 53 23 / 0 0 0 0 Los Alamos...................... 56 33 56 31 / 0 0 0 0 Pecos........................... 59 32 62 27 / 0 0 0 0 Cerro/Questa.................... 56 26 54 25 / 0 0 0 0 Red River....................... 49 25 49 22 / 0 0 0 0 Angel Fire...................... 55 19 55 15 / 0 0 0 0 Taos............................ 59 23 57 21 / 0 0 0 0 Mora............................ 61 32 62 24 / 0 0 0 0 Espanola........................ 62 28 61 27 / 0 0 0 0 Santa Fe........................ 58 33 58 29 / 0 0 0 0 Santa Fe Airport................ 60 30 60 27 / 0 0 0 0 Albuquerque Foothills........... 62 37 62 34 / 0 0 0 0 Albuquerque Heights............. 64 35 64 35 / 0 0 0 0 Albuquerque Valley.............. 65 31 66 30 / 0 0 0 0 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 63 32 64 31 / 0 0 0 0 Belen........................... 64 27 64 25 / 0 0 0 0 Bernalillo...................... 64 32 64 31 / 0 0 0 0 Bosque Farms.................... 65 26 65 25 / 0 0 0 0 Corrales........................ 65 31 65 30 / 0 0 0 0 Los Lunas....................... 65 26 65 24 / 0 0 0 0 Placitas........................ 60 35 61 32 / 0 0 0 0 Rio Rancho...................... 64 32 64 32 / 0 0 0 0 Socorro......................... 66 34 65 33 / 0 0 0 0 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 58 34 57 29 / 0 0 0 0 Tijeras......................... 59 34 59 30 / 0 0 0 0 Edgewood........................ 61 31 60 27 / 0 0 0 0 Moriarty/Estancia............... 62 25 61 22 / 0 0 0 0 Clines Corners.................. 59 31 58 24 / 0 0 0 0 Mountainair..................... 62 33 60 27 / 0 0 0 0 Gran Quivira.................... 63 32 61 26 / 0 0 0 0 Carrizozo....................... 67 38 65 32 / 0 0 0 0 Ruidoso......................... 62 39 62 29 / 0 0 0 0 Capulin......................... 56 29 62 23 / 0 0 0 0 Raton........................... 60 26 66 21 / 0 0 0 0 Springer........................ 63 25 68 21 / 0 0 0 0 Las Vegas....................... 61 32 66 25 / 0 0 0 0 Clayton......................... 59 36 64 25 / 0 0 0 0 Roy............................. 60 30 68 24 / 0 0 0 0 Conchas......................... 66 30 72 26 / 0 0 0 0 Santa Rosa...................... 64 38 72 28 / 0 0 0 0 Tucumcari....................... 67 33 70 26 / 0 0 0 0 Clovis.......................... 67 36 70 25 / 0 0 0 0 Portales........................ 68 33 71 24 / 0 0 0 0 Fort Sumner..................... 67 33 74 26 / 0 0 0 0 Roswell......................... 70 33 74 31 / 0 0 0 0 Picacho......................... 68 38 73 30 / 0 0 0 0 Elk............................. 67 35 71 27 / 0 0 0 0

ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.