Warm week, stormy weekend ahead

Aug. 24—Recent monsoonal rainfall has helped alleviate drought across much of New Mexico.

Scott Overpeck, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Albuquerque, said the state will likely dry out and warm up this week through Wednesday.

"But then we'll look for the return of storms, maybe Thursday," Overpeck said.

Albuquerque is expected to reach a high of 92 degrees on Tuesday. The city has a 10% chance of precipitation.

Isolated thunderstorms are possible in southwestern New Mexico, along with lightning and gusty winds.

Smoke from California wildfires is still creating hazy skies across the western U.S.

But atmospheric pressure and wind patterns will help prevent the smoke from circulating into New Mexico.

"We're not expecting any of the smoke impacts," Overpeck said.

Wednesday's high in Albuquerque is expected to be 92 degrees. The metro area has a 10% chance of precipitation.

Eastern New Mexico will likely have the highest temperatures this week.

Wednesday's forecast calls for a high of 98 degrees in Tucumcari and 95 in Roswell.

Thursday could bring strong to severe thunderstorms, especially in the Gila region and in northern New Mexico's mountains, meteorologist Daniel Porter said.

"We could see the potential for some small to medium-large sized hail, as well as some damaging wind gusts from thunderstorms that develop on Thursday afternoon," Porter said.

Albuquerque is expected to have a high of 90 degrees Thursday and 92 Friday, with a 20% chance of rain both days.

Weekend temperatures are expected to reach the low 90s in the metro area.

"The moisture levels are going to improve a little bit on Saturday and Sunday, so that's going to increase our chances for thunderstorms across our region," Porter said.

Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal.