White Sands, NM Weather

Key Messages

Updated at 533 AM MDT Wed Oct 21 2026

- Isolated showers and thunderstorms again Wednesday evening, limited to Southwest New Mexico.

- Warm temperatures over the next couple days, with lowland highs in the 80s. This is slightly above normal for late October.

- Widespread chances for showers and thunderstorms return Thursday night through Friday as moisture moves north into the region. Some stronger storms could result in localized flooding, damaging winds, and large hail.

- The flood threat lingers for eastern areas this weekend before storm chances decrease early next week.

Discussion

Issued at 1100 PM MDT Tue Oct 20 2026

Strong Pacific low off the California coast will be the main weather factor over the coming days. Southwest flow aloft between that system and high pressure aloft over Texas/northern Mexico will promote moisture advection out of the south, leading to an extended period of rain chances for late-October.

For Wednesday, deeper moisture will remain fixed over Southwest New Mexico and Arizona. Isolated (10-20% coverage) showers and thunderstorms are expected over portions of Grant and Hidalgo Counties, but the majority of convective activity on Wednesday will be limited further west into Arizona. Locations east of the Continental Divide will stay dry. Wednesday afternoon may also be the warmest day of the week, with lowland highs warming further to the lower-to-mid 80s. This is 5 to 10 degrees above average for late October.

Forecast remains on track for widespread rain chances Thursday through Sunday across Southern New Mexico and Far West Texas. Pacific low will move ashore late on Thursday, with a 75-knot jet streak rounding the base of the system over the Southwest US. Deep moisture flux out of Mexico will push precipitable water values to 1.1-1.3", well above normal for this time of year. Widespread showers and thunderstorms developing across E AZ and W NM on Thursday will slowly shift its focus eastward across the Rio Grande Valley on Friday, then Far West Texas/Southeast New Mexico over the weekend. Storms will be capable of heavy rain and flash flooding. Current guidance put the highest flood risk over W NM, including Grant County and the Gila Wilderness (most likely rain amounts 0.75-1.25", worse-case 2.00-3.00" localized).

Continued jet flow around the base of the low will slow it down considerably this weekend, likely stalling a portion of vorticity aloft over Arizona and maintaining scattered showers and thunderstorms across Eastern New Mexico and West Texas this weekend. Best rain chances over the weekend will be along and east of the Rio Grande, with localized flash flooding the main risk.

Aviation

(12Z TAFS) Issued at 533 AM MDT Wed Oct 21 2026

VFR conditions prevail through the period. High clouds pass by today with increasing coverage. FEW-SCT110 develop this afternoon. Winds AOB 10kts mostly from E-SE.

Fire Weather

Issued at 533 AM MDT Wed Oct 21 2026

No fire weather concerns are forecast through the weekend. For today, isolated showers and storms develop west of the Divide and over Lincoln County, pushing north into the evening. Strong gusts over 50 mph and small hail are possible. Otherwise, dry conditions with modestly breezy E-SE winds this afternoon. Warm temps and deeper mixing today. Overnight RH recoveries will be very good to excellent. Storm chances increase out west Thu with strong/severe winds and hail possible in SW NM through the evening. Storm chances push east Fri/Sat along with the flash flood and severe threat. Winds stay modestly breezy into the weekend, favoring a S-SE direction. Temps cool to near and below normal over the weekend.

Min RHs range from 30-50% in the lowlands through Fri, 40-70% in mtns. Vent rates will be poor to good E of RGV today, good to very good W; fair to good Thu; good to excellent W of RGV Fri/Sat.