Yesterday, it was mostly sunny and cold in Socorro and Magdalena.
Today, it is mostly clear and cold in Socorro. My weather station in Rio Rancho says:
The NWS in Albuquerque, NM, forecasts (for Rio Rancho, NM) a sunny day, with a high temperature of 37 F. The winds will be from the north at 5-10 mph, becoming westerly by this afternoon. This evening will be clear, with a low temperature of 18 F. The winds will be from the northwest at 10 mph.
The NWS in Albuquerque, NM, forecasts (for Socorro, NM) a sunny day, with a high temperature of 40 F. The winds will be from the north at 10 mph. This evening will be clear, with a low temperature of 16 F. The winds will be from the west at 5 mph.
The NWS in Albuquerque, NM, forecasts (for Magdalena, NM) a sunny day, with a high temperature of 31 F. The winds will be from the north at 5-10 mph. This evening will be clear, with a low temperature of 13 F, with wind chill to -2 F. The winds will be from the west at 5-10 mph.
The NWS in Albuquerque, NM, forecasts (for Mountainair, NM) a sunny day, with a high temperature of 33 F. The winds will be from the north at 5-10 mph, becoming westerly in the afternoon. This evening will be clear, with a low temperature of 13 F. The winds will be from the west at 10 mph.
The NWS in Albuquerque, NM, forecaster’s discussion says a few lingering, light snow showers will finish up this morning. The temperature for the next seven days are expected to be well below average. Today will be mostly sunny and cold.
The visible satellite imagery shows white splotches, but those are lingering snow. There are a few patches of thin, high clouds that really only appear in the loop.
The upper-level water vapor imagery shows some moisture drifting southeast through Utah, headed towards the state.
The 12Z upper air sounding from Albuquerque, NM, shows a cold, dry atmosphere. There was 0.13 inches of precipitable water present in the column this morning. There was no Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE), and no Convective Inhibition (CINH). The Lifted Condensation Level (LCL) was 747 m. There was no thermal inversion and the 0-3 km lapse rate was 5.3 C/km. The hodograph shows that the low-level shear was 3 kts (due mostly to directional changes) and the deep-layer shear was 35 kts (due mostly to speed changes).
The SPC Mesoscale Analysis Surface Map shows cold, humid weather. The skies are sunny (according to the sensors). The winds are light and northerly.
The SPC Mesoscale Analysis Pressure Map shows we are under very high pressure and no strong pressure gradients. The RAP shows this trend will continue over the next six hours.
The NAM 250 mb chart shows light northerly flow becoming zonal by the early afternoon.
The NAM 700 mb and 850 mb charts show no strong thermal advection over the state today. These charts have been excluded from today’s post.
The Nested NAM simulated reflectivity chart shows precipitation is unlikely today. This, the precipitation chart and the snow charts have been excluded from today’s post.
The Nested NAM temperature chart predicts that the high temperatures for the middle Rio Grande River Valley will reach the upper 30s F.
The Nested NAM also predicts shows the low temperatures are expected to drop into the lower 20s F.
The Nested NAM dewpoint chart shows that the dewpoints will drop from the upper 10s F to the single digits this afternoon.
The Nested NAM wind prediction chart shows breezy conditions, but gusts are expected to remain under 25 kts. This chart has been excluded from today’s post.
The Nested NAM simulated infrared chart shows sunny skies today and clear skies tonight. This chart has been excluded from today’s post.
Today, we are left in the wake of the last winter storm. Conditions will be sunny and cold, with only a light breeze. Precipitation is not expected at this time.
I will drive home this evening, but will otherwise avoid the cold weather and stay indoors.
The forecasts from the National Weather Service are from The NWS Homepage. The upper air soundings and mesoscale analysis plots are from the Storm Prediction Center website. The satellite data, model data, and forecasted soundings are from College of DuPage – SATRAD.
High Plains Chasing 