Better chance of thunderstorms in ABQ forecast

Increased moisture in the area could raise possibility of flash flooding

Increasing moisture over New Mexico this week will lead to better chances for showers and storms through Friday, according to meteorologists from the National Weather Service in Albuquerque.

Some storms could become locally strong with frequent lightning strikes, gusty winds and hail. The risk for flash flooding will also increase, especially around higher terrain, recent wildfire burn areas and locations that receive several rounds of heavy rainfall.

There will be a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms across northeast areas today and possibly again daily through Saturday.

According to Kerry Jones, meteorologist with the Albuquerque office of the National Weather Service, an upper high is expected to gradually shift east and south today, allowing an increase in subtropical moisture to seep into central and western

areas of the state.

Jones said residents in western and central New Mexico can also expect another active day of storms on Thursday.

“Best chances for precipitation will be across the northern and western high terrain,” Jones said.

A disturbance approaching the central Rockies should help to boost storm coverage on Friday, especially northern areas.

The storm focus is expected to shift more into eastern and southern New Mexico as the weekend progresses, Jones said. Much drier air looks to limit overall storm coverage across the central and western parts of the state by Sunday.

A chance of showers and thunderstorms is in the forecast for Albuquerque today through Sunday, with high temperatures climbing into the 90s each day.