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Albuquerque Launches Three Water Projects to Triple Its Billion-Gallon Supply as Rio Grande Drought Threatens Future Reserves

Gregg Morgan
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Albuquerque Launches Three Water Projects to Triple Its Billion-Gallon Supply as Rio Grande Drought Threatens Future Reserves

Albuquerque is launching construction on three new water projects, including two new aquifers. Officials said the aquifers will triple the city’s one-billion-gallon supply.

The projects come as the Rio Grande faces dry conditions, limiting the region’s available water resources. Meanwhile, the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority cannot replenish its aquifer storage reserves.

The aquifer storage and recovery facility stores water when the system can save it and pumps it back out when needed.

“It’s a giant sandbox. The best way to think about it, we are standing on a ginormous sandbox that extends from Cochiti all the way down to Socorro, and that sandbox has been filled with water,” said Diane Agnew of the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority.

The 3,000-acre well currently holds one billion gallons of water. Plans to develop two new aquifers will triple the city’s water storage capacity.

“We’re looking out 10, 20, even 100 years to make sure we have water for our customers and our families and our grandchildren,” Agnew said via KOB 4. 

New Facility to Expand Water Reuse Capacity

Across town, crews are preparing an empty lot near Bosque School for a new water reclamation facility. 

“It creates critical infrastructure to relieve wastewater demand on the west side. We’ll treat it, and then we will be taking that water and releasing it to the river, similar to what we do at our south side reclamation plant. The difference this plant is, it’s going to be treated to a level where we could reuse the water for other things,” Agnew said.

Agnew said the site currently sits as a dirt lot, but crews will transform it into a large, windowless building.

“We need to increase our reuse capacity across the service areas so that we’re using more reuse water for turf irrigation of golf courses and parks, and less potable water. So that means more drinking water for our customers,” said Agnew.

To learn more about the water reclamation facility, attend the public meeting on September 1. The meeting will also give you a chance to share your views with the Water Authority.

Lawmakers are Considering Increasing the Tax on Alcohol From 3% to 6% to Curb New Mexico’s Alcohol-Related Deaths That Remained Nearly Twice the National Average for Two Decades

Juan Oliveros
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Lawmakers are Considering Increasing the Tax on Alcohol From 3% to 6% to Curb New Mexico’s Alcohol-Related Deaths That Remained Nearly Twice the National Average for Two Decades

New Mexico lawmakers are taking another shot at overhauling the state’s alcohol taxes to address the alcohol-related death rate, which has remained nearly twice the national average for most of the past 20 years.

The lawmakers look forward to overhauling New Mexico’s alcohol tax system, replacing the state’s current fixed-per-liter taxes with a 6 percent tax collected at the wholesale level.

The last time lawmakers revamped the state’s alcohol tax system was in 1993. “We had talked about a three percent tax on the sale price of alcohol, and instead, we moved to a six percent tax collected at the wholesale cost of alcohol,” Sen. Shannon Pinto, D-McKinley County, told a legislative committee this week.

Now, Pinto said lawmakers are working with the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department to develop the proposal.

The legislation has not yet been formally introduced, but proponents of the measure expect that alcohol taxes will be included in the agenda when the 2027 legislative session begins in January. 

Under the current system, New Mexico imposes a fixed tax on every liter of beer, wine and spirits sold.

The proposed system would instead apply a percentage-based tax of 6 percent to the wholesale price, with wholesalers passing at least some of the additional cost on to retailers and ultimately consumers.

The change is expected to generate more revenue, providing the state a larger amount to address the devastating consequences of alcohol abuse. But lawmakers say the broader question is what happens to that money.

Pinto said the proposal would direct all alcohol-tax revenue toward alcohol-related services, instead of splitting the money with the state’s general fund. “Instead of half of the alcohol tax going to the general fund, we are going to increase that to 100 percent of the alcohol fund going to funding services,” Pinto said. “And the reason that’s important is because, as you saw now, the needs are really great.”

The push comes as New Mexico continues to struggle with one of the country’s worst alcohol-related death rates. Data from the Department of Health revealed that New Mexico’s total alcohol-related death rate has ranked first, second, or third in the US since 1981. The rate has remained nearly twice the national rate for almost 20 years. 

Lawmakers say the proposed change could help protect services that have relied on federal money, which is now disappearing. They argue that services aimed at treating alcohol addiction, preventing alcohol-related deaths and supporting affected communities could face cuts without a new source of state revenue.

New Mexico already imposes taxes on other potentially harmful products. Cannabis is currently taxed at 14 percent, with the rate scheduled to rise by one percentage point each year through 2030.

Legislation also sets taxes on cigarettes and vaping products. Alcohol, however, remains under a system based largely on fixed taxes per liter. This structure, according to lawmakers, no longer addresses the state’s needs.

Legislators are hoping the new proposal can finally break the impasse after several failed attempts after 1993 and help curb alcohol-related deaths across the state.

Why Students Should Get Involved in School Activities: APS Chief Highlights Sports, Drama, and Other Paths to Success

Gregg Morgan
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Why Students Should Get Involved in School Activities: APS Chief Highlights Sports, Drama, and Other Paths to Success

Finding your place at school can start with getting involved, Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey said. As the new school year opened, she encouraged students to join campus activities and connect with the school community. She said this is the ideal opportunity to get involved. 

On Jump Start Day, Durán Blakey spoke to incoming freshmen at Albuquerque High. She assigned them a special homework to find a club, team, or activity that excites them and join it.

Durán Blakey said middle schools also show the same enthusiasm. During a recent visit to Jefferson Middle School, she saw dozens of students eager to try out for the volleyball team.

She said she is a firm believer that extracurricular activities keep students grounded and connected.

The APS chief cited her own experience. She said joining her elementary school orchestra, Highland High student council, and softball team helped shape who she is today. Durán Blakey said those experiences taught her perseverance and teamwork while laying the foundation for her leadership journey.

“I urge you to encourage your students to join a club or team this semester — they will thank you for it!” she said in her weekly message.

Durán Blakey thanked the APS staff members who made these opportunities possible. She particularly recognized activities directors, coaches, club advisors, and music directors. She said their commitment helps prepare students for their futures every day.

The Start of Extracurricular Season

“You know it’s fall in New Mexico when the scent of green chile fills the air and our stadiums, soccer complex and gyms come alive as our football, soccer and volleyball teams begin their seasons!” Durán Blakey said. 

She said the energy filling athletic facilities is amazing. However, she especially loves watching teams working together toward a common goal. 

Durán Blakey said these athletes “have found their people and their place.” One that is incredible to see. 

But it is not just athletics.

The APS chief said this sense of community extends across all co-curricular activities. She cited drama, Educators Rising, and mock trial to student senate, and esports as examples. 

Durán Blakey said these programs boost students’ sense of belonging, which plays a vital role in their success. She said they give learners a shared purpose, something to anticipate, and a meaningful reason to show up every day.

What To Do If a Bear Attacks? These Are Life-Saving Rules You Must Know After New Mexico Man is Mauled by a Bear to Death

Juan Oliveros
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What To Do If a Bear Attacks? These Are Life-Saving Rules You Must Know After New Mexico Man is Mauled by a Bear to Death

A man succumbed to injuries after being mauled by a bear at about 1 p.m. on Thursday in Crystal, about three hours from Albuquerque.

“The bear was shot and wounded by law enforcement, but it fled into nearby woods. The bear was located and neutralized,” the Navajo Police Department said in a statement on social media.

Navajo Nation President Buu Van Nygren offered condolences after the tragic loss. He described the man as “one of our Diné relatives.”

He highlighted the special place bears hold in Navajo culture. “This incident is especially troubling for us as Diné people. In our traditional teachings, the bear is regarded as a powerful and sacred being of the mountains. Our elders have taught us to respect these beings, keep our distance and approach encounters with wildlife carefully and with reverence,” Nygren wrote on X.

Deadly bear attacks remain uncommon in North America. But recent encounters in New Mexico, including non-fatal bear attacks near Cedar Crest and Red River, have signaled that bears have been increasingly coming into contact with people.

Wildlife agencies, including the National Park Service and state wildlife authorities, advise the public that prevention is the first line of defense.

Avoiding a bear encounter

Make your presence known when walking through wooded or grassy terrain. Sing, talk, clap, or make other noises, especially around blind corners or areas where bears can hide behind vegetation.

Whenever possible, travel in groups and remain alert. Don’t use headphones that could prevent you from hearing a bear’s approach.

Look for signs that bears are nearby, including tracks, scat, claw marks and disturbed vegetation.

Wildlife officials advised the public to avoid approaching a bear for a photograph. Don’t feed a bear or place yourself between a mother and her cubs.

Campers should safely store food, garbage, and other scented products because they attract bears.

Keep dogs on leash. Dogs may approach or provoke a bear and flee toward its owner, which can be potentially dangerous.

Residents in communities near mountain ranges should avoid attracting bears by securing garbage and removing outdoor food sources.

Keep this in mind

The first rule is do not run. Seeing or encountering a bear can trigger a chase response, which could be deadly because bears can easily outrun humans.

Instead, remain calm and identify yourself. Speak in a calm, firm voice so the bear recognizes you as a person. Stand tall, slowly wave your arms or raise a jacket to make yourself appear larger.

Then slowly back away while watching the bear. Avoid turning your back and give the bear an escape route by not blocking its path. In most cases, a black bear will simply leave.

Do not panic if a bear follows you. Remain calm and stand your ground. Yelling, clapping, and appearing to be threatening can help thwart a bear attack.

If bear spray is at hand, have it ready. Place bear spray in an easily accessible holster instead of keeping it inside a backpack. Familiarize yourself with how to operate bear spray before entering bear country.

It is important to know a bluff charge from an attack because a bear can also bluff by running toward you. Hold your ground and give the animal space.

Bear species matters

Yes, it matters. A brown bear behaves differently from a black one.

When attacked by grizzly or brown bears, wildlife officials usually advise playing dead. But that should not be a response when attacked by a black bear.

Fight back by targeting the bear’s face and muzzle once a black bear attacks or makes physical contact. If rocks, sticks, or other available objects, use it in fighting back.

If you can, try to reach a vehicle, building, or other secure location.

The deadly Crystal attack is a reminder that rare wildlife encounters can be dangerous and have to be taken seriously. Authorities urged residents and visitors to report sightings and avoid potentially dangerous wildlife.

Changing Weather Patterns Affects Mosquito-Borne Diseases’ Peak Season

Ruben Reyes
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Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall create conditions favorable to insects; thus, state health officials warn residents that mosquitoes could remain active later into the year.

The state’s most common mosquito-borne disease, West Nile virus, generally peaks in late summer. However, with changing weather patterns and conditions, the risk of getting it could extend into fall, possibly continuing until the first hard freeze.

West Nile virus spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people who become infected do not develop symptoms. But some can experience fever, headaches, weakness, loss of balance, or more serious neurological complications.

Health officials said people with weakened immune systems might face a higher risk of developing severe illness from the virus. They also noted that recent research indicates that individuals taking medications targeting B cells may face a greater risk of severe illness from viral infections, including West Nile virus.

State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Erin Phipps said continued heat and moisture could allow mosquitoes to remain active through October.

With these threats, residents are advised to speak with their medical professionals about whether medications or medical conditions affect their vulnerability.

In line with these, people experiencing symptoms such as fever, headache, weakness, loss of balance, or confusion should contact a doctor immediately.

Health officials also recommended using Environmental Protection Agency-approved insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants when mosquitoes are most active, and removing standing water around homes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New Mexico has recorded four cases of West Nile virus.

The number of West Nile virus cases in the state (Photo from: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

The state Department of Health says it will continue to monitor mosquito and West Nile Virus activity throughout the season.

Inside The Bizarre Story Behind America’s Giant Pistachio is a Son Who Built the World’s Largest Nut to Honor His Father’s Crazy Desert Dream

Juan Oliveros
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Inside The Bizarre Story Behind America’s Giant Pistachio is a Son Who Built the World’s Largest Nut to Honor His Father’s Crazy Desert Dream

The World’s Largest Pistachio is an eye-popping popular attraction at McGinn’s PistachioLand. It has become one of New Mexico’s weirdest roadside attractions.

It looms over the dusty landscape north of Alamogordo. The colossal pistachio nut stands 30 feet tall, weighs a staggering 20,500 pounds, and is painted in shades of cream, green, and purple. Behind the giant nut, however, is a tale that is more poignant than its sheer size suggests.

It isn’t a roadside gimmick, but a memorial built by a son who grieved for his father, Tom McGinn, who transformed barren desert into a sprawling pistachio farm.

In 1980, McGinn, a food industry aficionado, moved his family from California to the Chihuahuan Desert. He dreamed of growing pistachios in the desert, which many would have considered downright crazy.

Undaunted by the prospect of failure, McGinn planted his first trees on what was then an empty scrubland. It took eight years for the first harvest.

Since then, he quietly built his dream into a flourishing agricultural operation.

Today, the orchard boasts more than 12,000 pistachio trees, alongside a vineyard and winery. 

But when he died in 2007, his son Tim decided to continue his father’s legacy. “I worked with my dad here for 28 years,” Tim later recalled. “I wanted a way to memorialize him.”

He drew inspiration from his father’s pistachio farm. Instead of erecting a traditional memorial at a cemetery, Tim believed his father belonged where he had spent decades pursuing his dream.

With the help of a local builder, he built a huge pistachio. Four months later, the World’s Largest Pistachio was unveiled in 2008.

The giant pistachio nut, built in 2008, took root as New Mexico’s quirkiest landmark. (Image courtesy of PistachioLand)

A bronze plaque at the base honors Tom with a fitting tribute: “Tom dreamed big, expected big, and accomplished big things. He would have said the monument is not big enough!”

And the public reaction was almost immediate. The first curious motorist, only an hour after the scaffolding was removed, stopped to take a photograph. 

Today, the giant nut has become a favorite roadside landmark, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year before they make their way to the otherworldly white dunes of nearby White Sands National Park.

But it is only the beginning. Inside the country store, visitors can have a gastronomic delight, sampling an astonishing range of pistachio flavors.

One flavor is even credited to Kelly Osbourne. Then there is the homemade pistachio ice cream, estate wine from the on-site Arena Blanca Winery, and golf-cart tours through the sprawling pistachio farm.

Inside McGinn, taste buds awaken with pistachio flavors galore. (Image courtesy of PistachioLand)

The giant nut itself is enough of a celebrity attraction, and then the guestbook.

Ozzy Osbourne and his children have visited the place for a television special. He even created their own pistachio flavors.

Today Show personalities Al Roker and Matt Lauer had also stopped by. And Norman Reedus of The Walking Dead and comedian Larry the Cable Guy have also posed beside the giant roadside icon.

As motorists cruise along Highway 54, they do not simply drive past. They pull over to see what seems to be a nuclear-sized snack rising from the desert. 

Visitors take a selfie. And spare a moment in the place that reminds one of a man whose dream became one of New Mexico’s weirdest and most unforgettable roadside sights.

Man Mauled to Death by Bear in New Mexico as Shocking Attack Sparks Warning After Nearly 80 Sightings Across the State

Gregg Morgan
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Man Mauled to Death by Bear in New Mexico as Shocking Attack Sparks Warning After Nearly 80 Sightings Across the State

A man died Thursday afternoon after a bear attacked him in Crystal, New Mexico. The Navajo Police Department Window Rock District confirmed the death. 

“This afternoon, at approximately 1 p.m., the Navajo Police Department Window Rock District received a report that an adult male had been attacked by a bear,” NPD said via social media. 

Multiple agencies responded to the attack. The Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations and Navajo Fish and Wildlife Department joined the NPD Window Rock District to address the incident. 

Police said law enforcement officers shot and wounded the bear before it fled into nearby woods. Officers later “located and neutralized” the animal.

“Unfortunately, the male victim succumbed due to injuries,” the department said. 

The NPD urged the public to avoid potentially dangerous wildlife. It also advised residents to contact the nearest NPD district if they spot a bear.

Crystal lies within the Navajo Nation. The community sits in San Juan and McKinley counties, about three hours from Albuquerque.

Why Have Bear Sightings Increased?

Earlier, the Department of Game and Fish said weather conditions likely contributed to the increase in bear sightings statewide.

Since July 2, there have been nearly 80 reported sightings and more than a dozen in and around Albuquerque. Other sightings are reported throughout the Sandia and Manzano Mountains, as well as in Santa Fe, Rio Rancho, and the communities around the Gila Mountains. The overall sightings have increased significantly statewide, according to NMDGF. 

NMDGF said higher temperatures and dry conditions during spring and summer have reduced food and water supplies in the mountains. Bears then move into lower areas and neighborhoods to find food and water.

Department of Wildlife Communications Director Darren Vaughan said bears are entering residential areas since the sources are more readily available. They may eat garbage, leftover pet food, birdseed, or rotten fruit left on the ground.

Brant.One will continue updating this article as more information becomes available, helping readers stay informed about the latest developments. 

Albuquerque Public Schools Surpasses 2028 Postsecondary Readiness Goal Early, With 52.8% of Graduates Meeting Advanced Preparation Benchmarks

Gregg Morgan
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Albuquerque Public Schools Surpasses 2028 Postsecondary Readiness Goal Early, With 52.8% of Graduates Meeting Advanced Preparation Benchmarks

Albuquerque Public Schools reported encouraging results in preparing students for life after high school. The district said it surpassed its postsecondary readiness expectations, with high schools across the city driving the gains with double-digit improvements.

Officials reviewed the latest monitoring report for Goal 3 during Wednesday night’s Board of Education meeting. It is one of four five-year goals the board adopted in 2023. The objective aims to equip graduates for their next steps. It supports students who plan to attend college, join the military, enter a trade program, or go directly into the workforce.

Goal 3 targets an increase in the percentage of graduates who earn credit in two or more advanced courses. These include Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or Dual Credit courses, as well as industry certifications or Bilingual Seal. The district aims to increase that figure from 39.6% in September 2023 to 49.6% by September 2028.

Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey shared encouraging news with board members. Preliminary figures for the 2025–2026 school year show that 52.8% of graduates met the benchmark. The figure represents an 8.1 percentage-point increase in one year.

“That is an 8.1 percentage-point increase in just one year and puts us ahead of where we expected to be at this point,” Durán Blakey said.

Despite the overall progress, district leaders said that systemic gaps continue to affect students, specifically those with disabilities. Durán Blakey stressed that the district will prioritize the expansion of access for underrepresented groups moving forward.

She said APS should be proud that more students are leaving with credentials and experiences that prepare them for the future. However, the district must ensure those opportunities should reach more learners. 

High Schools Show Progress Under Goal 3

The meeting also highlighted notable progress at 14 high schools across several Goal 3 metrics:

  • College and Career High School increased the percentage of students earning credit in a Bilingual Seal course by 10.9 percentage points.
  • Del Norte High School increased overall Goal 3 performance by 12.1 percentage points. 
  • Early College Academy increased the percentage of students earning credit in a Bilingual Seal course by 4.2 percentage points.
  • Eldorado High School increased overall Goal 3 performance by 10.3 percentage points. 
  • Freedom High School increased overall Goal 3 performance by 18.8 percentage points. It also boosted participation in Career Connected Learning courses by 18.8 percentage points.
  • Highland High School increased overall Goal 3 performance by 18.7 percentage points. The school also increased Career Connected Learning course credits by 22.2 percentage points and Bilingual Seal course credits by 5.3 percentage points.
  • La Cueva High School increased the percentage of students earning credit in at least one Career Connected Learning course by 13.1 percentage points.
  • Manzano High School increased overall Goal 3 performance by 17.4 percentage points. It also increased Advanced Placement or Dual Credit course completion by 8.2 points. The school also gained Career Connected Learning course credits by 16 points.
  • New Futures High School posted a 24 percentage-point gain in overall Goal 3 performance. It also reported a 17.3 percentage-point increase in Advanced Placement or Dual Credit course credits.
  • Rio Grande High School increased Advanced Placement or Dual Credit course credits by 8.1 percentage points. It also increased Bilingual Seal course credits by 5.1 percentage points.
  • Sandia High School increased the students earning credit in at least one Career Connected Learning course by 10 percentage points.
  • Valley High School improved its overall Goal 3 performance by 12 percentage points. It also increased Career Connected Learning course credits by 13.2 percentage points. The school raised Bilingual Seal course credits by 4.8 percentage points.
  • Volcano Vista High School increased its overall Goal 3 performance by 17.1 percentage points. It also increased Advanced Placement or Dual Credit course credits by 9.1 percentage points. The school improved Career Connected Learning course credits by 11.1 percentage points.
  • West Mesa High School increased the percentage of students earning credit in Bilingual Seal course by 9.5 percentage points.

Officials said the data demonstrates the district’s broader efforts to equip students meaningful qualifications that align with their future goals.

“These numbers matter because of what they represent: more students earning college credit, developing multilingual skills and gaining meaningful career-connected learning experiences before they graduate,” Durán Blakey said.

“More importantly, they represent the work happening every day in our schools to make sure students graduate not simply with a diploma, but with opportunities and choices for what comes next.”

Rio Rancho Police Expand License Plate Cameras From 5 to 19, Sparking Privacy Fears Over Who Is Watching

Ruben Reyes
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The Rio Rancho Police have expanded their use of automated license plate readers from five to 19, sparking concerns about privacy and safety.

The cameras are provided by Flock Safety. The camera captures license plate information as vehicles pass by, giving police another way to locate stolen vehicles and help in investigations.

The police say the information provided by the camera is a photograph and the location of the hit.

The department also said that technology has helped them track vehicles connected to major crimes, including a homicide, bank robbery, and recent shootings. They also highlighted a drop in stolen-vehicle reports, from 214 in 2022 to 103 last year.

However, the expansion has also raised concerns about privacy, including who can access the system and what safeguards prevent abuse.

District 3 councilor Bob Tyler answered the concern. They will prosecute and terminate anyone caught using the information other than for official use.

Under the city’s agreement with Flock Safety, police assured the public that the data collected by the cameras belongs to the department, not the company.

They said all gathered information will be deleted immediately after 30 days.

However, Ron, a concerned resident, doesn’t believe in what the police and the district councilor said.

To him, cameras invade privacy, and officials didn’t ask the leaders and constituents; they just came out and said this.

Once again, the department said it will follow the proper guidelines under Senate Bill 40, which establishes statewide rules for how automated license plate readers can collect, store, and share data.

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July 2026 Ranks Second Warmest July in More Than 70 Years in New Mexico

Juan Oliveros
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July 2026 Ranks Second Warmest July in More Than 70 Years in New Mexico

July 2026 was the second-hottest July on record. Much of New Mexico turned into a simmering furnace as temperatures soared, heat emergencies intensified, and residents desperately sought for relief.

Climate data shows the statewide average temperature for July 2026 had reached 25.06°C (77.1°F),  way above by 2.4°C of the long-term average. It was the second-warmest July since statewide records began in the mid-20th century.

Afternoon temperatures routinely climbed into the high 30s Celsius across lower elevations, with communities across the state reporting triple-digit Fahrenheit heat.

And July was not alone in that category. The May-to-July period ranked as the second-warmest three-month stretch on record.

A furnace that refuses to switch off 

New Mexico had already recorded its third-warmest June on record. Then came July.

With temperatures across the state recorded above historical averages, the month became the hottest month of 2026 so far. The average daily maximum temperature was 33.44°C (92.2°F) across New Mexico, the fifth-highest July average on record.

For residents in valleys, deserts and lower elevations,

That translates into afternoon temperatures  for residents in the valleys, deserts, and lowland approaching or exceeding 100°F (37.8°C), sparing not even higher mountains.

Their daytime temperatures were generally lower, but unusually warm evenings. That unrelenting heat did not end with July.

August recorded the punishing heat as well, with Albuquerque and Farmington breaking records for consecutive triple-digit days early in the month.

The Albuquerque metropolitan area has also recorded one of its hottest August starts on record. But with August still unfolding, July remains the undisputed warmest month of 2026 so far.

The human toll

State health officials reported that about 900 people sought treatment for heat-related emergency room visits since April 1.

Health authorities urged residents to drink plenty of water, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, and don’t leave children or pets inside parked vehicles.

Extreme heat can quickly turn from uncomfortable to life-threatening, they said. 

The persistent lack of moisture added to the misery. Most parts of the state, including areas of Bernalillo County around Albuquerque, remain locked in severe to extreme drought.

Dry soils absorb less of the cooling energy due to evaporation, creating a condition where sun’s energy go directly into heating the land and lower the atmosphere. The result is a vicious cycle of dry conditions, intense sunshine, and punishing daytime temperatures. 

America is also baking

July 2026 was also the hottest month ever recorded across the country, with the national average temperature reaching 76.89°F (24.94°C).

The Southwest was among the nation’s hottest regions with New Mexico ranked third warmest state in its NOAA climate division for July, next to Utah and Colorado.

The numbers are striking because they are not simply the result of one or two freak hot days. It has persisted over weeks and months, pushing season averages higher.

Longer-term temperature trends are also becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

The past year saw New Mexico’s temperature ranked among the highest recorded in regions as several western U.S. states have persistently appeared among the world’s hottest areas.

What happens next?

There is little sign of an escape  for the heat-weary public. Meteorologists expect this heat pattern to persist across the Four Corners region.

While monsoon moisture provides scattered afternoon storms and localized cooling, the relief will be inconsistent. One community could receive a heavy downpour while another nearby is baking.

Meanwhile, El Niño is developing in the Pacific. The shift could influence New Mexico’s weather during winter and bring wetter conditions later in the year.

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