Heavy Storms Bring Flash Flooding Across New Mexico Before Weekend Heat Surge

New Mexico is experiencing a continued surge of monsoon moisture resulting in afternoon storms, heavy rain, and flash flood warnings in various parts of the state, especially near Ruidoso, El Malpais, and Chaco Canyon. These storms, some of which have been strong to severe, are expected to persist through Friday with a risk of flash flooding, particularly in northeast and east-central New Mexico. Starting Saturday, drier and hotter weather will begin moving in, bringing a warming trend and mostly dry conditions by Sunday, with temperatures reaching into the triple digits in southern New Mexico. Isolated afternoon storms may still occur over mountain peaks through early next week, but overall dry and hot conditions will dominate due to a high-pressure system. The combination of monsoon moisture and a backdoor cold front is influencing storm development, while a shift to drier air will reduce precipitation chances later in the week. Meanwhile, in Oklahoma, a rare cold front is bringing cooler temperatures and widespread storms, especially on Sunday, with a potential for locally heavy rainfall and lightning hazards.