NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Another mild to warm start to the weekend for many locations around the state. Low temperatures have bottomed out primarily in the 40s and 50s, with clear skies turning sunny. This afternoon, a strong high-pressure system moves into the Land of Enchantment, bringing the heat along with it. High temperatures are expected to be roughly 20-30 degrees above normal today, indicating another day of record warmth throughout the Land of Enchantment. Yesterday, record warmth blanketed the state for the third day in a row. In Albuquerque, the high temperature reached 89 degrees, which set a new record high temperature at the Sunport for March 20. On Friday, another record was set for the warmest March record high in history in Albuquerque. The previous record was 88 degrees on Thursday and 85 degrees on Wednesday. Before this year, the all-time March record high temperature, at the International Sunport, was set at 85 degrees in 1907 and 1971.
Forecast Continues Below
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On Sunday, a backdoor cold front is expected to enter into northeast New Mexico, bringing temperatures in northeast locations down to the 70s. High temperatures for the rest of the state are expected to remain well above normal and breaking additional record highs. A slight cool down is expected on Monday when the cold front does pass through the central mountain chain, but regardless, highs will remain in the 70s and 80s for a majority of the state. That backdoor cold front is forecast to bring breezy winds to gaps in the central mountain chain late Sunday night into Monday morning. Wind gusts are expected to range from 30-40 mph or may exceed that.
Another high-pressure system redevelops the Desert Southwest throughout next week, contributing to summer-like weather across New Mexico. Record high temperatures are forecasted to fall in Albuquerque throughout next week and in New Mexico. Dry conditions are on tap for the state before a possible pattern change emerges by next weekend. Also, a Fire Weather Watch will be issued for eastern counties on Sunday from 12-8 p.m., by the National Weather Service for elevated concern for fire weather…