Weather
New Mexico Rain Alert: Storms Increase Wednesday Through Friday Oct 21-23
Albuquerque, NM – A significant shift toward wetter weather is expected across New Mexico this week, with widespread showers, thunderstorms and the potential for localized flash flooding developing We
By Rachel Monroe · 2026-10-18T09:24:23.278Z
Albuquerque, NM – A significant shift toward wetter weather is expected across New Mexico this week, with widespread showers, thunderstorms and the potential for localized flash flooding developing Wednesday through Friday. Some communities could see rain chances climb as high as 90%.
According to the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, Pacific moisture will spread across the state during the middle and latter portions of the week, bringing increasing precipitation chances and potentially heavy rainfall, particularly across the Four Corners region.
Rain chances climb sharply Wednesday
Light showers are expected across far western New Mexico Sunday, October 18, before precipitation becomes more widespread later in the week.
By Wednesday, October 21, rain chances increase to 80% in Farmington, 70% in Gallup and 50% in Santa Fe.
Conditions could become even wetter Thursday, October 22, when Farmington and Gallup reach 90% rain chances, while Santa Fe reaches 80%.
Albuquerque faces a 70% chance of precipitation Thursday, followed by 60% Friday.
Localized flooding and strong storms possible
Forecasters say widespread soaking rainfall is becoming increasingly likely, although the timing and location of the heaviest precipitation remain uncertain.
The approaching Pacific storm system could produce localized flash flooding, particularly where heavier thunderstorms develop.
The NWS also indicates that conditions may support a few strong thunderstorms each afternoon Wednesday through Friday.
Warm temperatures continue ahead of rainfall
Despite increasing moisture, temperatures are expected to remain near or above seasonal averages.
Albuquerque could reach 77 degrees Wednesday and Thursday, while Roswell may climb into the lower 80s.
Snow levels are expected to remain relatively high because of the mild temperatures.
Residents should monitor updated forecasts, especially those traveling through flood prone roads, washes and mountainous areas.
The wetter weather pattern could continue into the final week of October, with above normal precipitation favored across much of New Mexico.
Additional forecast updates are available at weather.gov/abq.