New Mexico Weather 3/7 Evening - 30° Above Normal

Good evening. New Mexico. I'm Michael Nally. Step outside this morning. And you’ll feel that crisp bite in the air. But don't let it fool you—this weekend is a tale of two seasons. We’ve got a spring preview in the forecast, with temperatures climbing 30 degrees above normal. But first, a chilly start: Albuquerque woke up to 31 degrees. And the northern mountains dipped into the 20s. That’s winter still holding on. For now. Albuquerque and Santa Fe, you’re in for a rollercoaster. Today’s high soars to 71 degrees—that's 30 degrees above average for early March. Light northwest winds keep things pleasant. Tonight, we drop back to 36 degrees, but Sunday brings even more warmth: 76 degrees under sunny skies. By Monday, we’re flirting with 80 degrees in some spots. That’s right—spring is knocking early. Up north, it’s a cooler but still unseasonably warm story. Taos and Santa Fe start in the 30s this morning, but by afternoon, you’ll hit 61 degrees—about 30 degrees warmer than usual. Winds pick up out of the northwest at 10 to 15 miles an hour, so it’ll feel breezy. Tonight, lows dip to 36 degrees, but Sunday’s high jumps to 67 degrees. Not bad for March! Just watch for gusty winds near 20 miles an hour in exposed areas. Down south, you’re winning the warmth lottery. Las Cruces and Alamogordo start in the upper 30s to low 40s this morning, but by afternoon, you’re basking in 72 degrees. That’s near-record warmth for early March. Light east winds keep things comfortable today. Tonight, lows stay mild in the mid-40s. And Sunday? You’re looking at 78 degrees in Las Cruces. Yes, you read that right—summer-like heat in March. Here’s the catch—all this warmth and wind comes with a cost. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for northeast and east-central New Mexico from noon to 8 PM Sunday. Winds could gust to 40 miles an hour. And humidity will plummet into the single digits. That’s a recipe for rapid fire spread. Outdoor burning? Not today. Even a spark could turn ugly fast. The dry spell breaks Monday night into Tuesday. A storm system sweeps in, bringing scattered rain showers—even a few thunderstorms—mainly south of I-40. Expect 0.10 to 30 degrees.25 inches of rain, with higher amounts in the mountains. High terrain could see a dusting of snow above 7,500 feet, but it won’t stick around long. Winds shift to the west at 15 to 25 miles an hour, so Tuesday will feel cooler, with highs dropping back to the 60s and low 70s. Warmth peaks Monday with 80 degrees in the south and upper 70s in Albuquerque. Tuesday brings cooler temperatures and rain chances, with highs dropping to the 60s and low 70s. Wednesday dries out as highs rebound to the mid-70s statewide. Then Thursday and Friday, the heat comes roaring back—80s return to southern New Mexico, with upper 70s in Albuquerque. Fire danger climbs again, so another Red Flag Watch is likely by Friday. So there you've it—March in New Mexico, where winter and summer share the same weekend. Enjoy the warmth, but stay sharp: fire danger is no joke with these winds. And keep an eye on those rain chances Tuesday—we could use the moisture. See you tomorrow.