Yesterday was mild, and partly sunny in Magdalena and Socorro. It was pleasant, and I didn’t spend enough time outside.
This morning in Rio Rancho, the weather is clear and cold. My weather station in Rio Rancho says:
The NWS in Albuquerque, NM, forecaster’s discussion says that an active weather pattern will return to the region ahead of another Pacific disturbance. Today will be windy, particularly east of the central mountain range, and a little colder. By this evening, showers and some high elevation snow showers will impact the region.
The NWS in Albuquerque, NM, forecasts (for Rio Rancho, NM) a partly sunny day, with a 20% chance of showers, and a high temperature of 64 F. The winds will be from the southwest at 5-10 mph, increasing to 15-20 mph in the afternoon. This evening will be cloudy, with a 60% chance of showers and a low temperature of 41 F. The winds will be from the west at 15-20 mph, decreasing to 10-15 mph after midnight.
The NWS in Albuquerque, NM, forecasts (for Socorro, NM) a mostly cloudy day, with a high temperature of 70 F. The winds will be from the west at 5-10 mph, becoming southwesterly at 15-20 mph in the afternoon. This evening will be cloudy, with a 40% chance of showers and a low temperature of 43 F. The winds will be from the southwest at 15-20 mph, decreasing to 10-15 mph after midnight.
The NWS in Albuquerque, NM, forecasts (for Magdalena, NM) a mostly cloudy day, with a 20% chance of showers and a high temperature of 62 F. The winds will be from the southwest at 10-15 mph, increasing to 15-20 mph and gusting to 30 mph in the afternoon. This evening will be mostly cloudy, with a 50% chance of showers and a low temperature of 39 F. The winds will be from the southwest at 15-20 mph, gusting to 30 mph.
The NWS in Albuquerque, NM, forecasts (for Mountainair, NM) a mostly sunny day, with a high temperature of 60 F. The winds will be from the west at 10-15 mph, increasing to 20-25 mph in the afternoon. This evening will be cloudy, with a 60% chance of showers and a low temperature of 38 F. The winds will be from the west at 15-25 mph.
The NWS in Albuquerque, NM, has issued several wind and winter weather products for this evening and into the next several days. The NWS Watches and Warnings graphic is shown below:
The visible satellite imagery is unavailable at this time. The enhanced infrared imagery shows thicker clouds drifting into the state from the west. Ahead of the thicker clouds is a mountain wave pattern that is strong enough that it shows up on infrared.
The upper-level water vapor imagery shows moisture is drifting in from the west and southwest.
The 12Z upper air sounding from Albuquerque, NM, is unavailable at this time.
The SPC Mesoscale Analysis Surface Map shows cold, moderately humid weather. The skies are clear (according to the sensors). The winds are light and southwesterly.
The SPC Mesoscale Analysis Pressure Map shows we are under no strong pressure systems or gradients. The RAP shows this trend is expected to continue for at least the next six hours.
The NAM 250 mb chart shows moderate, southwesterly flow over the state today.
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 afternoon showers moving across the state.
The Nested NAM precipitation chart shows that light rain is possible, statewide.
The Nested NAM temperature chart shows the high temperatures are expected to reach into the mid 60s F.
The Nested NAM temperature chart also shows the low temperatures are expected to drop into the mid 40s F.
The Nested NAM dewpoint chart shows that the dewpoints will remain in the upper 30s F and lower 40s F.
The Nested NAM wind prediction chart shows breezy conditions along the high elevations.
The Nested NAM simulated infrared chart shows mostly cloudy to overcast skies, statewide, by this evening.
Today will be a few degrees cooler than yesterday, due to the approaching storm system. The Albuquerque Metro will start to see some rain this afternoon, with shower coverage increasing this evening.
I will spend the bulk of the day in Magdalena. I will drive to and from Socorro to Magdalena, but will otherwise remain inside for the day.
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 