Wind gusts of up to 50 mph could hit parts of New Mexico on Sunday, Oct. 11, making driving hazardous and possibly disrupting the final Mass Ascension of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, KRQE reports. Light morning winds may still allow organizers to hold at least a static balloon display.
Showers and thunderstorms spread across western, northern and central New Mexico overnight, with Albuquerque expected to be mostly dry early Sunday. In the afternoon, southwest winds of 25 to 40 mph are expected across much of the state, with isolated gusts as high as 50 mph.
In the Albuquerque metro, the National Weather Service forecast mostly sunny skies with a high near 82, south winds of 20 to 25 mph gusting to 35 mph, and a slight chance of storms after 3 p.m. Wind advisories were posted for parts of northeastern Arizona near the Four Corners.
The winds could make driving dangerous, especially for trucks, RVs and other high-profile vehicles, and residents should secure loose outdoor objects.
What's Next
Breezy conditions are likely to continue into early next week before winds gradually ease, with highs in the 70s to 80s.
Why It Matters
Strong winds could cut short the Balloon Fiesta's final mass ascension and make driving dangerous for high-profile vehicles.
About This Story
Daily Reports is Brant.One’s news roundup. Each day we gather the New Mexico stories worth knowing from newsrooms across the state, sum them up and point you to the source. This one comes from KRQE’s reporting, and their original story has the interviews and full details.
Editor’s note: Updated Nov. 1, 2026. This story is now part of Daily Reports, our New Mexico news roundup, and was revised to credit KRQE’s original reporting. Learn how Daily Reports works in our editorial standards.
