This afternoon sunshine and warmer temperatures are present across much of the state. A bit of cloud coverage is moving through southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. Today, sunshine and breezy conditions will be present around the state and will linger into Tuesday from upper levels winds. The breezy winds will also bring temperatures to warmer than normal in the east on Monday due to down sloping winds; however, winds will pick up overnight as a backdoor cold front travels through eastern New Mexico. Wind gusts may reach 30-40 mph in a few spots.
Colder air will funnel into eastern New Mexico on Tuesday, but after Tuesday into Wednesday morning we will see colder air settle into the state. It could be the coldest air of the fall season, so far, prompting highs to be coolest of the week in New Mexico. In Albuquerque we could see low temperatures drop into the 30s for the first time this autumn on Wednesday morning.
The National Weather Service (NWS) will issue Freeze Watches on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning for much of eastern and central New Mexico for temperatures that could drop to the freezing point or below. A Freeze Warning will also be in effect from 3-9 AM on Wednesday for possible subfreezing temperatures in Espanola Valley. Tonight, Montezuma and La Plata counties will also be underneath a Freeze Watch…