Zoe’s forecast for Monday evening
The heat is back this week as another heat dome has taken control of the western half of the United States starting today. Strong high pressure will remain directly over New Mexico through Wednesday. Many daily high temperature records were broken across the state today, and more records will likely be broken Tuesday and Wednesday.
High pressure is not only causing record high temperatures, but record dry summer conditions. In fact, 2023 is officially the start of the driest monsoon on record (records go back to the 1890s). The Albuquerque International Sunport has seen only traces of rain since June 15, or since the start of the monsoon. Hopefully, that will change later this week.
Mountain storms are expected in northern and western New Mexico, with little rain reaching the ground over surrounding valleys through Wednesday. An isolated shower is possible in the metro, but there will be more chance of light rain later this week and into the weekend.
High pressure will begin to weaken and lengthen from Thursday. This will allow temperatures to drop a degree or two in the final week, while bringing more monsoonal moisture to the western half of the state. Along and west of the central mountain range have the best potential to see more widespread scattered showers and thunderstorms later this week and into the weekend. Leave early if you want to avoid the rain. Southeastern New Mexico will likely remain dry and hot this week and into the weekend.
