Moisture forecast for Four Corners area

Fast-moving winter weather system will hit New Mexico tonight

A fast-moving winter weather system will advance east across New Mexico tonight and Friday, bringing light snow across northern and western high terrain and beneficial moisture to the drought-stricken Four Corners area, according to meteorologists from the National Weather Service in Albuquerque.

A winter weather system will enter the Four Corners region late tonight and spread over western New Mexico and the Continental Divide overnight into Friday. Forecasters expect a dusting of snow in lower elevations and light snow accumulations at or above 6,000 feet. Several inches of snow are possible atop the Jemez, Chuska and Tusas Mountains.

Strong westerly winds behind the front will create areas of blowing snow and reduced visibilities.

“On Thursday, if we see snow, it’s going to be at higher elevations and late in the day,” said Kerry Jones, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “We’ll see a strengthening wind pattern as we get into Thursday. That will be especially true across eastern New Mexico.”

A slight chance of showers is in the National Weather Service forecast for Farmington today, with showers likely late tonight and snow likely Friday. Chances of snow stay in the forecast through Sunday night. Frozen or not, any precipitation will benefit the parched Four Corners.

“It does look like as you go south Thursday and Friday, precipitation chances really do dwindle,” Jones said. “This will mainly be a northern New Mexico type of affair.”

After high temperatures in the upper 50s today, colder temperatures will arrive in the metro area, dropping temps into the mid-30s overnight. Expect high temperatures to only reach the upper 40s on Friday. Albuquerque will likely see light valley rain and snow in the Sandias Friday.

Colder temperatures will continue to settle into New Mexico through the weekend and into early next week, as a stronger storm system, quickly following on the heels of the first, could affect the region beginning Sunday and continue through Monday. The system could bring chances for accumulating snow, especially in the mountains. However, Jones said uncertainty exists with the exact timing and strength of that storm system.

Roads may be slick and hazardous across the high terrain.

“It’s a unsettled stretch for the weekend,” Jones said. “Saturday into Sunday and possible lingering into Monday could be the most impactful period of the next seven days.”

A slight chance of snow is in the metro forecast for Sunday and into Monday.