NEWS
Spring storm to bring slight relief during New Mexico fire season
Two storm systems are expected to bring rain and mountain snow across the state
Published
New Mexico is welcoming the month of May with storm systems forecast to drop rain and snow amid an early-onset fire season that has already sparked multiple blazes.
鈥淭his storm system is going to bring beneficial moisture for the entire state, and it鈥檚 going to reduce the fire danger as well, for at least the next week,鈥� said Michael Anand, an sa国际传媒官网网页入口 meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
At least four fires have ignited across New Mexico in the past week. The fires have burned twice the acreage the New Mexico State Forestry Division typically sees this time of year, according to spokesperson George Ducker.
Two incoming storm systems will blanket northern New Mexico with snow while other parts of the state see rain, bringing relief to an otherwise dry season.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e going to combine and provide rain across much of central and eastern New Mexico, and snow in the north and the peaks of northern mountains,鈥� Anand said. 鈥淭hat should hopefully put those fires to bed and help with firefighting and response.鈥�
Areas such as Red River, Taos Ski Valley and Ski Santa Fe are expected to receive the most snow, with 5 to 10 inches forecast at the peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
A winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service is in effect until Friday for those areas, Anand said.
Residents in surrounding areas may not see much snow, though the National Weather Service forecasts a 40% chance of rain showers over the weekend.
Temperatures are expected to reach the low- to mid-50s near Taos and Espa帽ola, while Santa Fe is projected to see highs in the upper 50s to mid-60s.
sa国际传媒官网网页入口 may not see as much precipitation, with Saturday and Sunday each carrying a 20% chance of up to a quarter-inch of rain.
Despite the chance of light rainfall, weekend temperatures could still climb into the mid- to upper 70s, with Sunday expected to reach a high of 77 degrees, Anand said.
Most of the rain is expected in southeastern New Mexico 鈥� including Roswell, Artesia and Carlsbad 鈥� where 1 to 2 inches is forecast. Temperatures there are expected to range from the upper 60s to the mid-70s.
Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.
