Area weather to take a cold and stormy turn

Much of New Mexico will close out 2020 with two storms and a week of cold wind gusts, snow and rain.

The Clovis-Portales area is not expected to see significant moisture, but today’s high temperature is forecast at 39 degrees with sustained winds at 20 to 30 mph. Today’s low temperature will be near 18.

The region likely won’t see 60 degrees the rest of this week.

Chuck Jones, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, said the week’s first winter storm was slated to begin impacting much of the state Tuesday night.

“Precipitation here in the valley will start as rain and it will snow in the mountains, and portions of western and northern New Mexico, they are going to see snow,” Jones said.

Northern New Mexico roads will likely be icy as temperatures drop and the snowflakes fall. As much as a foot of snow is expected in the northernmost areas, mainly Chama and Red River.

Gallup could receive about two inches of snow from the storm.

High-elevation roads will still be slick.

Temperatures are expected to hit a high of 42 and low of 17 in Albuquerque today, with mostly sunny and clear skies.

Thursday will be calm between storms. Temperatures will be cool, but there is little chance of precipitation.

A second storm will bring icy temperatures and light snow to New Mexico on New Year’s Day. Any significant snowfall will likely be limited to the highest elevations.

The Albuquerque Journal contributed to this report.