Snow flurries, rain in the weekend forecast for southern New Mexico

LAS CRUCES – Southern New Mexicans can expect snow flurries and rain in the forecast Friday and into the weekend as a “backdoor cold front” moves through the area.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Katie Slusher explained that a cold front is moving into the southern New Mexico area from the northern plains region. She described the front as a “backdoor cold front,” meaning the system is coming from the northeast rather than from the west as is typical.

The Sacramento Mountains will be the first area to experience the colder air Thursday evening, March 16,  she said, and then the front will spread westward. The mountain region and high peaks within the Gila National Forest may see an inch or less of snow Friday morning.

These areas also have a chance for light rain over the weekend.

Lowland areas, including the New Mexico bootheel and borderland, have a chance for light snow or rain showers over the next few days. Rain is forecasted to be more widespread Saturday into Sunday morning while the mountainous regions will have a higher chance for moisture Friday.

Snow chances are expected to linger through Saturday and taper off Sunday throughout southern New Mexico.

Slusher said the cold front will drop temperatures into the upper 40s to low 50s Friday throughout the lowlands while upper regions will dip into the 30s and low 40s. These temperatures will remain steady into Saturday, though the mountain areas likely will not reach above 30-degrees.

Lowlands can expect to reach the upper 40s to mid-50s by Sunday afternoon. Mountain areas may reach the mid-30s for temperature highs.

“These (temperatures) are definitely below average for this time of year,” Slusher said. “Ranging from right around normal to 10-15 degrees below normal the entire weekend.”

Winds are expected to be breezy during the morning hours and calm down Friday. Lowland residents can expect breezes between 10 to 20 miles per hour Saturday and Sunday.

Slusher said people should use caution on roadways over the weekend as they may become slick. She also encouraged people to take precautions with plants and animals while the area experiences freezing or near-freezing temperatures – especially overnight.

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Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, LRomero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Snow flurries, rain in the weekend forecast for southern New Mexico