Forecast shows NM can expect limited rainfall and record heat

In a good monsoon year, New Mexico weather forecasters would be predicting daily showers and thunderstorms. But monsoon season has yet to bring much-needed rainfall to the Land of Enchantment.

This will be another hot, dry week for New Mexico.

“Really, this is not what we would expect for the early part of August,” said Randall Hergert, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Albuquerque office. “We should be in the depths of the monsoon season. Our precipitation amounts for this time are going to be well below normal.”

More than half the state is experiencing severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Southeastern New Mexico and far northern New Mexico are experiencing the most extreme levels of drought. At this time last year, none of the state was experiencing severe drought.

Rain chances are minimal for the Albuquerque area this week.

Albuquerque is expected to have a high of 96 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday, with high temperatures rising to 97 degrees for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Sunday will be slightly less hot, at 94 degrees with a 20% chance of rain.

Eastern New Mexico could tie or break record-high temperatures this week. Roswell is expected to hit 106 degrees on Thursday, which could break that day’s record of 104 degrees.

Tucumcari may hit 104 degrees on Thursday. Tucumcari’s record temperature for August 13 is 100 degrees.

Meteorologist Daniel Porter said this week’s dry weather pattern doesn’t rule out the possibility of severe thunderstorms.

“Hazards associated with thunderstorms will still be there, particularly the lightning risk, as well as the gusty wind risk,” Porter said.