ALBUQUERQUE, NM — The crisp desert air carries a hint of change this morning. After several sunny, mild days, a midweek winter system is now targeting central New Mexico, bringing a mix of rain and snow to the metro and surrounding foothills by Wednesday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, conditions stay clear and calm through Tuesday with highs in the low 60s, but clouds will increase midweek as moisture from the west sweeps across the Rio Grande Valley. By late Wednesday, colder air and mountain lift will allow rain showers to mix with snow, especially north and east of the city.
While no major accumulation is expected within Albuquerque proper, higher terrain east of I-40 and the Sandia foothills could see up to an inch of snow by early Thursday. Roads may briefly turn slick in shaded or elevated areas, particularly during the late-evening commute.
Temperatures will fall sharply behind the system — from near 54°F Wednesday to morning lows in the 20s by Friday — marking a noticeable December cool-down. Sunshine returns by the weekend, but mornings will stay frosty with light winds and clear skies.
5-Day Outlook (Albuquerque, NM):
- Monday: Mostly sunny, high 52°F.
- Tuesday: Sunny, high 63°F.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, rain/snow mix late, high 54°F.
- Thursday: Chance of morning snow, clearing later, high 44°F.
- Friday: Sunny, cold start, high 45°F.
