Full Notification

Type – A strong late season cold front will sweep the area from west to east late Saturday through Sunday, generating strong to potentially damaging winds. Accumulating snow in the northern mountains and below normal temperatures area-wide will also accompany the weekend storm system.

Timing – Strongest winds expected to develop Saturday afternoon and continue through Sunday, with the most critical period expected Saturday afternoon and evening. Windy conditions will persist through Monday as the storm system slowly departs.

Location – Significant wind impacts expected area-wide. Areas near and east of the central mountain chain will experience the longest duration of strong winds.

Key Impacts:
• Potentially damaging winds Saturday afternoon through Sunday. Gusts of 60 mph or greater will be possible, especially with the frontal passage late Saturday.
• Significant impacts due to blowing dust can be expected, especially along the Rio Grande Valley and across the eastern plains.
• Areas of snow, heavy at times, are expected for the northern mountains and neighboring areas. Several inches could accumulate near and above 9000 feet.
Overview:
A strong late season cold front will push into far western New Mexico Saturday afternoon, and steadily push eastward late in the day Saturday into Saturday night. The main impacts will be strong to potentially damaging winds and blowing dust initially, followed by continued strong winds on Sunday with much cooler temperatures. Precipitation chances with this system will trend up Saturday and continue into Sunday, favoring the western and northern mountains. Accumulating snow is likely in the northern mountains, especially near and above 9000 feet.