Residents heading outdoors on Wednesday evening should keep an umbrella handy as showers and thunderstorms continue across western and northern New Mexico, with some mountain areas expected to receive more than an inch of rain.
A weather update issued at 5:24 p.m. reported that the greatest storm chances Wednesday night are expected in Farmington, Chama, Gallup, Grants, Silver City, Socorro, and the Jemez Mountains.
The primary hazards include heavy downpours, frequent lightning, and gusty, erratic winds. Some locations in the northern and western mountains could receive more than an inch of rainfall.
A gusty east canyon wind is also expected to develop Wednesday evening in Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Belen, and Socorro, with gusts up to 40 mph.
Meanwhile, low clouds are forecast to develop late Wednesday night over Roswell, Hobbs, Carlsbad, and other parts of southeastern New Mexico.
Thursday forecast
Thursday’s forecast remains uncertain, with afternoon thunderstorms most likely in Farmington, Chama, Gallup, Grants, Silver City, the Gila region, Ruidoso, Roswell, Carlsbad, and Hobbs.
Forecasters said Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Vegas, Clovis, and Portales could see fewer storms if drier air moves into the region.
Any storms that do develop are expected to move slowly, increasing the potential for localized heavy rainfall.
