MORE BRRRRRR

A low pressure system will bring a quick burst of winter weather to parts of NM

A low-pressure system approaching from the northwest will bring a burst of wintry weather to parts of northern New Mexico today through Halloween morning, meteorologists from the National Weather Service in Albuquerque said Monday.

Rain and high-elevation snow showers will develop along a cold front entering northern New Mexico today, according to Brian Guyer, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

“We do expect rain showers to develop as we go through the day across the high terrain,” Guyer said. “As temperatures drop later in the day, we’ll see some of that change to snow in the very high terrain.”

A winter storm watch is in effect from this afternoon through Wednesday afternoon for the northern Sangre de Cristo mountains above 9,500 feet, including Red River, the southern Sangre de Cristo range

above 9,500 feet, the eastern slopes of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, Raton Ridge and Johnson Mesa — areas that could receive up to 10 inches of snow.

Travel on Interstate 25 from Glorieta to Raton Pass and on U.S. 64/87 from Raton to Clayton could be affected tonight. I-25 south of Pueblo, Colo., to the New Mexico border will likely become snowpacked tonight through Wednesday morning.

Light snowfall is possible over the northeastern plains and in the upper Rio Grande Valley by early Wednesday.

A chance of showers is forecast for the Albuquerque area today.

After a projected high in the upper 60s today, lower temperatures will arrive on Halloween in metro Albuquerque and the Rio Grande Valley. High temperatures will be in the low 50s on Halloween, with mostly sunny skies and north winds of 5 to 15 mph.

By Halloween evening, the precipitation should shift east of the state, but below-normal temperatures and a northwesterly breeze will feel a little nippy for ghouls, goblins, ghosts and princesses going trick-or-treating. Snow could create slick conditions for undead and living creatures in the northern mountains and the northeast.

“Temperatures are going to be dropping into the 30s and 40s across a good part of the state,” Guyer said. “Some folks across the north could encounter slick sidewalks. Definitely bundle up.”

Albuquerque-area residents should prepare for freezing temperatures Thursday morning. Parts of the middle Rio Grande Valley and the Roswell area could have their first freeze Thursday morning.

Residents should continue to monitor forecasts.