Gusty start with northern rain/snow & colder air

Описание: Milder-than-average morning temperatures are still once present with some passing clouds, chilly rain and snow showers in the Four Corners to the Northern Mountains, as well as some strong westerly winds for some out east mixing that dry air around.

Air temperatures in the north are starting off mostly from around the teens to the 30s, except for the Northeast Highlands in the lower 40s for some, while elsewhere to the south, air temperatures are mostly ranging from the 20s to the low 50s.

Cooler air, close to normalcy, will be in store today with the drop in the westerly jet stream. Areas from East New Mexico to the Pecos River Valley area will range from the upper 40s to the 70s from north to south from high to low elevation. Strong westerly surface wind gusts up to at least 30-50 mph with some blowing dust and some reduced visibility will continue. Strong westerly winds aloft that are going up, over, and down the east-sloped mountain faces, will still lead to the mild process at the surface out to the southeast. Meanwhile, the northern higher elevations, which will receive more light rain activity with high-elevation snow, will range from the 20s to the low 40s, while the northern valley floors to western and central areas will mostly range from the 40s to the 60s.

Fire weather chances will be elevated to critical in eastern to southeastern areas especially. The ridge of high pressure, which also has been responsible for the warming process, is briefly breaking down a bit again with colder air allowed to spill in from the north with some clouds.

Colder air tonight will come on the tail-end of today's gusty system with pockets of higher humidity, accompanied by some precipitation lingering, in northern to northeastern areas. Then, despite some light precipitation in southwestern areas this weekend, elsewhere will be mostly drier as gradually warmer air will return.