In the short term, expect widespread rain in New Mexico
According to report of KRQE Flood Watches are in effect for the Ruidoso area and the eastern slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as widespread afternoon thunderstorms are expected. The cloud cover will keep afternoon temperatures close to seasonal averages. While the northwestern two-thirds of the region will be covered with clouds, weakening showers are moving north-northeast from Silver City to the Carson National Forest, with the majority of thunderstorm activity occurring in Arizona. Conditions are clearer to the southeast, but high humidity across the region will make today’s stormy weather the most widespread of the week.
Morning temperatures are starting off above normal, with northern mountain communities beginning in the 40s, 50s, and lower 60s, while valley locations range from the 50s to the 70s. As temperatures rise through the morning, reaching the upper 60s to near 100 degrees in some southern areas by the afternoon, the abundance of moisture and daytime heating will likely lead to widespread rainfall. The northern and western parts of the region have the highest chance of rain today, with flash flooding being very likely, especially in northern burn scars and around Ruidoso during the early afternoon hours.
The San Juan Mountains, Gila National Forest, and a large portion of the Rio Grande Valley are also expected to experience potent storms that will move slowly north and then northeast throughout the day. Expect pockets of heavy rain, accumulating hail, erratic winds (more likely to gust from eastern canyons), and frequent lightning strikes.
Currently, a high-pressure system located to the east of most of New Mexico is trapping moisture across the region. However, drier air from the west is expected to prevail later this week, bringing more sunshine and hotter temperatures.