Bitterly cold week ahead for our region

Eastern New Mexico can expect a bitter cold week ahead.

The National Weather Service warns of temperatures in the low 20s, winds whipping 20-30 mph and a possibility of light snow today and tonight.

“Gusts near 45 or 50 mph are likely behind the front, which will make it feel like temperatures are in the single digits or teens,” NWS reported.

Today’s high is expected to be in the mid-30s in Clovis/Portales, with a low of 21. Thursday’s temperatures are expected to range between the low 40s and low 20s before a warmup begins Friday.

If the region sees snow, forecasters reported “the strong winds will result in areas of blowing snow and reduced visibility.”

The front will also create strong winds along the Sandia and Manzano mountains, said Blair Breitreiter, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Albuquerque.

The coldest temperatures so far this season will accompany the front, expected to impact all of New Mexico.

Albuquerque can expect a high temperature of 39 today, with a low of 24.

Thursday and Friday are expected to be the coldest days of the week for the metro area, with low temperatures of 19 degrees on both days, and highs of 35 on Thursday and 42 on Friday.

Meteorologists are uncertain whether the cold front will bring any significant snowfall to New Mexico.

Angel Fire and Las Vegas could receive one to two inches of snow by this afternoon.

Northern New Mexico will bear the brunt of the icy temperatures this week. Angel Fire will hit a low of 10-below zero on Thursday, and Taos and Chama will dip into single digits.

Weather officials are warning residents to protect pipes and pets and said frostbite is also possible if exposed to the cold for long periods of time.

The weekend will warm up slightly for most of the state, but another incoming storm system has potential to ramp up the winter weather again on Sunday.

The Albuquerque Journal contributed to this report.