Expires:202410181000;Remove:202410181000;456751 WWUS85 KABQ 172252 SPSABQ Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 452 PM MDT Thu Oct 17 2024 NMZ201>241-181000- Northwest Plateau-Chuska Mountains-Far Northwest Highlands- Northwest Highlands-West Central Plateau-West Central Mountains- West Central Highlands-Southwest Mountains- San Francisco River Valley-Tusas Mountains Including Chama- Jemez Mountains-Glorieta Mesa Including Glorieta Pass- Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains- Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains- East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains-Upper Rio Grande Valley- Espanola Valley-Santa Fe Metro Area- Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area- Lower Rio Grande Valley- Sandia/Manzano Mountains Including Edgewood-Estancia Valley- Central Highlands-South Central Highlands-Upper Tularosa Valley- South Central Mountains- Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass- Far Northeast Highlands-Northeast Highlands-Union County- Harding County-Eastern San Miguel County-Guadalupe County- Quay County-Curry County-Roosevelt County-De Baca County- Chaves County Plains-Eastern Lincoln County- Southwest Chaves County-San Agustin Plains and Adjacent Lowlands- 452 PM MDT Thu Oct 17 2024 ...STRONG STORM SYSTEM TO BRING SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE WEATHER FRIDAY INTO THE WEEKEND... A potent upper level low pressure system will drop into Arizona Friday into Saturday before lifting north of New Mexico on Sunday. This system will bring in significant moisture and strong thunderstorms to the eastern plains of New Mexico while spreading colder air and rain and snow showers to northwestern and north central areas of the state. Repeated rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms are expected in the eastern plains each day Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Storms will be capable of producing very heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, damaging winds and large hail. Areas of flash flooding will also be possible in these eastern areas of the state, and perhaps on the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon wildfire burn scar too. Colder temperatures will also begin spilling into far western New Mexico Friday night, advancing farther east over the state each day through Sunday night. Many locations will observe their coldest temperatures of the season thus far, and a few areas will dip below freezing for the fist time this fall. The colder temperatures will lower snow levels with light amounts expected over the western mountains and highlands of New Mexico while the northern peaks of the state receive a few to several inches of accumulation, mainly above 8,500 feet. Breezy to windy conditions will also arrive, especially on Friday over the southwestern to central areas of the state. Blowing dust may develop in vulnerable, dry lower elevation areas. Residents and travelers of New Mexico are urged to stay tuned to the latest weather forecast at weather.gov/abq or through your preferred media outlet. Any follow up statements, advisories, watches or warnings can also be found from these sources. $$ 33