Albuquerque is starting Friday under mostly cloudy skies, with temperatures around 55 degrees and a noticeable northwest breeze. The calm-looking morning is expected to give way to scattered showers and thunderstorms, with the city climbing to about 75 degrees before the weather turns more serious later in the day.
Storm Risk Peaks Friday Afternoon And Evening
Showers and thunderstorms may pop up throughout Friday, but the strongest storms are expected during the afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque says large hail, damaging winds and an isolated tornado or two are possible across the broader forecast area.
South winds are forecast to run between 5 and 15 mph, with gusty and erratic winds possible near thunderstorms. The updated outlook is a sharper turn from Thursday’s forecast, which had already warned of rising storm chances across central New Mexico, as Hoodline previously reported.
Wet Weekend Gives Way To Clearer Skies
Saturday looks cooler and mostly cloudy, with a high near 69 degrees and a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms. The rain risk rises Saturday night, when showers and storms are expected to continue and temperatures fall to around 51 degrees.
Sunday brings more scattered rain showers and a smaller chance of thunderstorms, with a high near 66 degrees. A Flood Watch remains posted for parts of northwest and west-central New Mexico through Friday evening, while heavy rain elsewhere this weekend could create localized flooding, especially near low spots and recently soaked ground.
Sunshine Returns Monday
Conditions improve quickly after the weekend. Monday should be mostly sunny with a high near 67 degrees, followed by sunny Tuesday and mostly sunny Wednesday, with highs near 69 each day.
Anyone heading out Friday should keep an eye on changing skies, move indoors when thunder is nearby and avoid driving across flooded roads. Brief downpours, lightning and sudden wind shifts could make outdoor plans change quickly.
