Flood Watch
Ends in 22 h 28 min
When
Through late Saturday night.
Where
A portion of central New Mexico, including the following area, South Central Mountains.
Issued for this forecast zone · National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
What, impacts and precautionsHide details
What
Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible.
Impacts
Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded. Storm drains and ditches may become clogged with debris.
Additional details
Periods of light to moderate rainfall will continue overnight. Then, shower and thunderstorm activity will redevelop Saturday afternoon and persist through Saturday evening. Recent wildfire burn scars in Lincoln County remain vulnerable to abrupt runoff and flash flooding. While individual showers and thunderstorms will typically produce rainfall amounts of 0.25 to 0.75 inch, multiple rounds of storms will increase the risk of flash flooding.
http://www.weather.gov/abq/EmergencyPrepFlood
Precautionary actions
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Areas: South Central Mountains
See it on weather.gov (opens in a new tab)

Observed 6:55 AM MDT at KSRR

Ruidoso, NM weather

Foggy and 51°11°, storms ~9–2 AM (95%).

Forecasts differ

Now 51°11°

Fog

Wind: 9 mph15 km/h; From the southeast. Gusts to 27 mph43 km/h around 1 PM
Visibility: 0.8 mi1.3 km; Fog · under 1 mi1.6 km
Dew point: 51°11°; Comfortable
Humidity: 100%; Air 51°11°, dew point 51°11° · fog or dew likely
UV index: 0Low; High 12–2 PM · peak 6
Pressure: 30.21 inHg1023 hPa; Rising slowly · +0.04 inHg+1.2 hPa in 3 h

Light rain now, through the next 2 hours.

From forecast models

Next 48 hours

About the same as this time yesterday (50°10° then, 51°11° now)

Good hours for

Rain and storms until tomorrow 6 AM (100%, 3 in75 mm)
Gusts to 27 mph43 km/h today noon–2 PM
High 61°16° today at 2 PM
Rain tomorrow 9 AM–noon (30%)
Gusts to 27 mph43 km/h tomorrow 2–5 PM

This morningUp to 59°15° by 11 AM · Rain all morning (60%)
This afternoonNear 59°15° · Storms all afternoon (80%) · gusts to 27 mph43 km/h
TonightDown to 47°8° by 5 AM · Storms all night (100%)
Tomorrow morningUp to 57°14° by 11 AM · Rain 9 AM–noon (30%)
Tomorrow afternoonNear 60°16° · rain chance 40% · gusts to 27 mph43 km/h · Clear
Tomorrow nightDown to 44°7° by 3 AM · rain chance 30% · Partly cloudy

Hourly forecast, next 48 hours, in the place's local time
Hour	Conditions	Temperature	Feels like	Precipitation	Wind	Humidity	Cloud cover	UV index
Sat 7a	Partly sunny	48°9° (likely 47°8° to 52°11°)	47°8°	30%, 0.03 in0.8 mm	5 mph8 km/h from SE, gusts 5 mph8 km/h	100%	80%	0
Sat 8a	Cloudy	48°9° (likely 48°9° to 52°11°)	46°8°	30%, 0.03 in0.8 mm	5 mph8 km/h from SE, gusts 5 mph8 km/h	100%	82%	0
Sat 9a	Cloudy	51°11° (likely 51°11° to 54°12°)	48°9°	60%, 0.03 in0.8 mm	5 mph8 km/h from SE, gusts 10 mph16 km/h	100%	63%	1
Sat 10a	Drizzle	55°13° (likely 55°13° to 58°14°)	55°13°	60%, 0.03 in0.8 mm	10 mph16 km/h from SE, gusts 14 mph22 km/h	98%	63%	2
Sat 11a	Cloudy	59°15° (likely 58°14° to 62°17°)	59°15°	60%, 0.03 in0.8 mm	15 mph24 km/h from S, gusts 21 mph33 km/h	86%	69%	4
Sat 12p	Thunderstorms	60°16° (likely 59°15° to 63°17°)	60°16°	80%, 0.14 in3.6 mm	15 mph24 km/h from S, gusts 25 mph40 km/h	81%	65%	6
Sat 1p	Cloudy	60°16° (likely 59°15° to 65°18°)	60°16°	80%, 0.14 in3.6 mm	15 mph24 km/h from S, gusts 27 mph43 km/h	80%	75%	6
Sat 2p	Partly sunny	61°16° (likely 58°14° to 63°17°)	61°16°	80%, 0.14 in3.6 mm	15 mph24 km/h from S, gusts 24 mph38 km/h	77%	65%	5
Sat 3p	Thunderstorms	60°16° (likely 55°13° to 61°16°)	60°16°	70%, 0.14 in3.6 mm	15 mph24 km/h from S, gusts 20 mph32 km/h	81%	70%	4
Sat 4p	Drizzle	59°15° (likely 55°13° to 59°15°)	59°15°	70%, 0.14 in3.6 mm	15 mph24 km/h from S, gusts 22 mph36 km/h	82%	81%	2
Sat 5p	Thunderstorms	58°14° (likely 54°12° to 58°14°)	58°14°	70%, 0.14 in3.6 mm	10 mph16 km/h from SE, gusts 17 mph28 km/h	86%	46%	1
Sat 6p	Cloudy	54°12° (likely 52°11° to 55°13°)	54°12°	80%, 0.3 in7.6 mm	10 mph16 km/h from SE, gusts 18 mph29 km/h	94%	97%	0
Sat 7p	Drizzle	52°11° (likely 50°10° to 54°12°)	52°11°	80%, 0.3 in7.6 mm	10 mph16 km/h from SE, gusts 23 mph37 km/h	99%	96%	0
Sat 8p	Drizzle	51°11° (likely 49°9° to 53°12°)	51°11°	80%, 0.3 in7.6 mm	10 mph16 km/h from SE, gusts 17 mph27 km/h	100%	88%	0
Sat 9p	Drizzle	51°11° (likely 49°9° to 53°12°)	51°11°	100%, 0.3 in7.6 mm	10 mph16 km/h from SE, gusts 10 mph16 km/h	100%	85%	0
Sat 10p	Rain	50°10° (likely 48°9° to 52°11°)	47°8°	100%, 0.3 in7.6 mm	10 mph16 km/h from SE, gusts 10 mph16 km/h	100%	84%	0
Sat 11p	Thunderstorms	50°10° (likely 48°9° to 52°11°)	48°9°	100%, 0.3 in7.6 mm	5 mph8 km/h from S, gusts 10 mph17 km/h	100%	93%	0
Sun 12a	Thunderstorms	50°10° (likely 48°9° to 52°11°)	48°9°	60%, 0.03 in0.8 mm	5 mph8 km/h from SE, gusts 10 mph16 km/h	100%	87%	0
Sun 1a	Cloudy	49°9° (likely 48°9° to 52°11°)	48°9°	60%, 0.03 in0.8 mm	5 mph8 km/h from SE, gusts 8 mph14 km/h	100%	85%	0
Sun 2a	Rain	49°9° (likely 47°8° to 51°11°)	48°9°	60%, 0.03 in0.8 mm	5 mph8 km/h from S, gusts 7 mph11 km/h	100%	84%	0
Sun 3a	Showers	48°9° (likely 47°8° to 51°11°)	47°8°	20%, 0.03 in0.8 mm	5 mph8 km/h from S, gusts 8 mph13 km/h	100%	83%	0
Sun 4a	Showers	48°9° (likely 47°8° to 50°10°)	48°9°	20%, 0.03 in0.8 mm	0 mph0 km/h, gusts 5 mph9 km/h	100%	74%	0
Sun 5a	Cloudy	47°8° (likely 46°8° to 49°9°)	47°8°	20%, 0.03 in0.8 mm	0 mph0 km/h, gusts 4 mph7 km/h	99%	71%	0
Sun 6a	Cloudy	47°8° (likely 46°8° to 48°9°)	47°8°	20%, 0.01 in0.3 mm	0 mph0 km/h, gusts 6 mph10 km/h	99%	85%	0
Sun 7a	Cloudy	46°8° (likely 46°8° to 49°9°)	46°8°	20%, 0.01 in0.3 mm	0 mph0 km/h, gusts 7 mph12 km/h	98%	88%	0
Sun 8a	Cloudy	47°8° (likely 46°8° to 50°10°)	47°8°	20%, 0.01 in0.3 mm	0 mph0 km/h, gusts 6 mph10 km/h	99%	76%	0
Sun 9a	Mostly sunny	50°10° (likely 50°10° to 53°12°)	50°10°	30%, 0.01 in0.3 mm	0 mph0 km/h, gusts 9 mph15 km/h	99%	48%	1
Sun 10a	Partly sunny	54°12° (likely 53°12° to 56°13°)	54°12°	30%, 0.01 in0.3 mm	5 mph8 km/h from S, gusts 12 mph20 km/h	93%	47%	2
Sun 11a	Mostly sunny	57°14° (likely 56°13° to 59°15°)	57°14°	30%, 0.01 in0.3 mm	5 mph8 km/h from S, gusts 20 mph33 km/h	79%	34%	4
Sun 12p	Sunny	60°16° (likely 58°14° to 61°16°)	60°16°	40%	10 mph16 km/h from S, gusts 24 mph39 km/h	69%	30%	5
Sun 1p	Sunny	61°16° (likely 58°14° to 62°17°)	61°16°	40%	10 mph16 km/h from SW, gusts 25 mph40 km/h	65%	20%	6
Sun 2p	Sunny	61°16° (likely 58°14° to 62°17°)	61°16°	40%	10 mph16 km/h from SW, gusts 25 mph41 km/h	62%	20%	5
Sun 3p	Sunny	62°17° (likely 59°15° to 62°17°)	62°17°	40%	10 mph16 km/h from SW, gusts 27 mph43 km/h	60%	16%	4
Sun 4p	Sunny	60°16° (likely 58°14° to 60°16°)	60°16°	40%	10 mph16 km/h from SW, gusts 27 mph43 km/h	64%	7%	3
Sun 5p	Mostly sunny	59°15° (likely 56°13° to 59°15°)	59°15°	40%	10 mph16 km/h from SW, gusts 24 mph39 km/h	69%	19%	2
Sun 6p	Clear	56°13° (likely 53°12° to 56°13°)	56°13°	30%	5 mph8 km/h from SW, gusts 21 mph34 km/h	76%	14%	1
Sun 7p	Clear	51°11° (likely 51°11° to 53°12°)	51°11°	30%	5 mph8 km/h from SW, gusts 11 mph18 km/h	88%	9%	0
Sun 8p	Clear	50°10° (likely 50°10° to 51°11°)	49°9°	30%	5 mph8 km/h from S, gusts 7 mph11 km/h	91%	21%	0
Sun 9p	Mostly clear	48°9° (likely 48°9° to 50°10°)	47°8°	30%	5 mph8 km/h from S, gusts 7 mph11 km/h	94%	28%	0
Sun 10p	Clear	48°9° (likely 47°8° to 49°9°)	47°8°	30%	5 mph8 km/h from S, gusts 5 mph8 km/h	96%	23%	0
Sun 11p	Mostly clear	47°8° (likely 46°8° to 48°9°)	47°8°	30%	0 mph0 km/h, gusts 3 mph6 km/h	98%	14%	0
Mon 12a	Clear	46°8° (likely 44°7° to 48°9°)	46°8°	30%	0 mph0 km/h, gusts 4 mph7 km/h	100%	39%	0
Mon 1a	Cloudy	46°8° (likely 44°7° to 49°9°)	46°8°	30%	0 mph0 km/h, gusts 4 mph7 km/h	100%	58%	0
Mon 2a	Cloudy	45°7° (likely 43°6° to 49°9°)	45°7°	30%	0 mph0 km/h, gusts 4 mph7 km/h	100%	63%	0
Mon 3a	Cloudy	44°7° (likely 42°6° to 49°9°)	44°7°	30%	0 mph0 km/h, gusts 4 mph7 km/h	100%	71%	0
Mon 4a	Clear	44°7° (likely 41°5° to 48°9°)	44°7°	30%	0 mph0 km/h, gusts 4 mph6 km/h	99%	56%	0
Mon 5a	Cloudy	44°7° (likely 41°5° to 48°9°)	44°7°	30%	0 mph0 km/h, gusts 5 mph7 km/h	98%	82%	0
Mon 6a	Cloudy	43°6° (likely 42°6° to 48°9°)	43°6°	10%	0 mph0 km/h, gusts 5 mph8 km/h	100%	78%	0

Days ahead

Tap a day for its hours and the official wording.

Today, Oct 24. Thunderstorms. High 62°17°, low 46°8°. Storms 0.48 in12 mm, 80% chance. Forecasts differ.
1. Morning
  6 AM–noon
  Drizzle, 48°9°
  60% chance · 0.15 in3.8 mm
2. Afternoon
  noon–6 PM
  Thunderstorms, 61°16°
  80% chance · 0.84 in21 mm
3. Evening
  6 PM–midnight
  Thunderstorms, 51°11°
  100% chance · 1.8 in46 mm
4. Overnight
  midnight–6 AM
  Thunderstorms, 47°8°
  60% chance · 0.18 in4.6 mm
Official NWS forecast
Today: Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 62, with temperatures falling to around 58 in the afternoon. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Southeast wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Forecasts differIndependent forecasts disagree; expect changes and plan for the range.
High, likely
60°16°–65°18°
Low, likely
46°8°–50°10°
Wind
16 mph25 km/h, gusts 33 mph53 km/h
UV peak
6
Tomorrow, Oct 25. Thunderstorms. High 62°17°, low 43°6°. Storms 0.19 in4.8 mm, 40% chance. Mostly agree.
1. Morning
  6 AM–noon
  Mostly sunny, 47°8°
  30% chance · 0.06 in1.5 mm
2. Afternoon
  noon–6 PM
  Sunny, 62°17°
  40% chance
3. Evening
  6 PM–midnight
  Mostly clear, 50°10°
  30% chance
4. Overnight
  midnight–6 AM
  Cloudy, 44°7°
  30% chance
Official NWS forecast
Day: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. South wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Mostly agreeIndependent forecasts are fairly close; small surprises are possible.
High, likely
59°15°–62°17°
Low, likely
43°6°–48°9°
Wind
17 mph27 km/h, gusts 29 mph47 km/h
UV peak
6
Monday, Oct 26. Mostly cloudy. High 63°17°, low 42°6°. Rain 0.03 in0.8 mm, 30% chance. Forecasts differ.
1. Morning
  6 AM–noon
  Cloudy, 47°8°
  Dry
2. Afternoon
  noon–6 PM
  Cloudy, 63°17°
  30% chance · 0.02 in0.6 mm
3. Evening
  6 PM–midnight
  Clear, 50°10°
  30% chance
4. Overnight
  midnight–6 AM
  Clear, 44°7°
  Dry
Hours this far out come from computer models only.
Official NWS forecast
Day: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 63. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Forecasts differIndependent forecasts disagree; expect changes and plan for the range.
High, likely
60°16°–65°18°
Low, likely
42°6°–46°8°
Wind
9 mph15 km/h, gusts 25 mph40 km/h
UV peak
5
Tuesday, Oct 27. Mostly sunny. High 66°19°, low 41°5°. Dry. Mostly agree.
1. Morning
  6 AM–noon
  Sunny, 48°9°
  Dry
2. Afternoon
  noon–6 PM
  Sunny, 62°17°
  Dry
3. Evening
  6 PM–midnight
  Clear, 49°10°
  Dry
4. Overnight
  midnight–6 AM
  Clear, 45°7°
  Dry
Hours this far out come from computer models only.
Official NWS forecast
Day: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Mostly agreeIndependent forecasts are fairly close; small surprises are possible.
High, likely
59°15°–66°19°
Low, likely
41°5°–46°8°
Wind
12 mph20 km/h, gusts 28 mph46 km/h
UV peak
6
Wednesday, Oct 28. Mostly sunny. High 69°21°, low 42°6°. Dry. Mostly agree.
1. Morning
  6 AM–noon
  Sunny, 50°10°
  Dry
2. Afternoon
  noon–6 PM
  Sunny, 65°18°
  Dry
3. Evening
  6 PM–midnight
  Cloudy, 50°10°
  Dry
4. Overnight
  midnight–6 AM
  Cloudy, 45°7°
  Dry
Hours this far out come from computer models only.
Official NWS forecast
Day: Sunny, with a high near 69.
Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Mostly agreeIndependent forecasts are fairly close; small surprises are possible.
High, likely
62°17°–69°21°
Low, likely
41°5°–47°8°
Wind
12 mph19 km/h, gusts 32 mph51 km/h
UV peak
5
Thursday, Oct 29. Mostly cloudy. High 65°18°, low 44°7°. Rain 0.17 in4.3 mm, 60% chance. Mostly agree.
1. Morning
  6 AM–noon
  Cloudy, 52°11°
  Dry
2. Afternoon
  noon–6 PM
  Showers, 61°16°
  50% chance · 0.13 in3.2 mm
3. Evening
  6 PM–midnight
  Showers, 50°10°
  50% chance · 0.04 in0.9 mm
4. Overnight
  midnight–6 AM
  Cloudy, 44°7°
  30% chance
Hours this far out come from computer models only.
Official NWS forecast
Day: Showers and thunderstorms likely after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Mostly agreeIndependent forecasts are fairly close; small surprises are possible.
High, likely
58°14°–65°18°
Low, likely
41°5°–47°8°
Wind
10 mph16 km/h, gusts 22 mph35 km/h
UV peak
3
Friday, Oct 30. Thunderstorms. High 61°16°, low 41°5°. Storms 0.08 in2 mm, 60% chance. Forecasts differ.
1. Morning
  6 AM–noon
  Cloudy, 49°9°
  30% chance
2. Afternoon
  noon–6 PM
  Cloudy, 61°16°
  50% chance · 0.01 in0.3 mm
3. Evening
  6 PM–midnight
  Drizzle, 50°10°
  50% chance · 0.02 in0.5 mm
4. Overnight
  midnight–6 AM
  Drizzle, 46°8°
  40% chance · 0.03 in0.7 mm
Hours this far out come from computer models only.
Official NWS forecast
Day: A chance of rain showers before noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Forecasts differIndependent forecasts disagree; expect changes and plan for the range.
High, likely
56°13°–63°17°
Low, likely
41°5°–45°7°
Wind
10 mph16 km/h, gusts 26 mph42 km/h
UV peak
4
Saturday, Oct 31. Drizzle. High 55°13°, low 44°7°. Rain 0.13 in3.3 mm, 40% chance. Forecasts differ.
1. Morning
  6 AM–noon
  Drizzle, 49°10°
  30% chance · 0.03 in0.7 mm
2. Afternoon
  noon–6 PM
  Drizzle, 57°14°
  30% chance · 0.03 in0.7 mm
3. Evening
  6 PM–midnight
  Clear, 49°9°
  30% chance
4. Overnight
  midnight–6 AM
  Partly cloudy, 45°7°
  40% chance
Hours this far out come from computer models only.
The National Weather Service writes about seven days ahead; this day is our model forecast only.
Forecasts differIndependent forecasts disagree; expect changes and plan for the range.
High, likely
50°10°–57°14°
Low, likely
44°7°–45°7°
Wind
16 mph26 km/h, gusts 41 mph65 km/h
UV peak
6
Sunday, Nov 1. Cloudy. High 53°12°, low 44°7°. Rain 0.21 in5.3 mm, 40% chance. Forecasts differ.
1. Morning
  6 AM–noon
  Mostly sunny, 48°9°
  40% chance · 0.02 in0.5 mm
2. Afternoon
  noon–6 PM
  Cloudy, 54°12°
  40% chance · 0.05 in1.2 mm
3. Evening
  6 PM–midnight
  Cloudy, 48°9°
  40% chance · 0.14 in3.4 mm
4. Overnight
  midnight–6 AM
  Mostly clear, 40°5°
  40% chance · 0.02 in0.6 mm
Hours this far out come from computer models only.
The National Weather Service writes about seven days ahead; this day is our model forecast only.
Forecasts differIndependent forecasts disagree; expect changes and plan for the range.
High, likely
47°8°–60°16°
Low, likely
41°5°–46°8°
Wind
13 mph22 km/h, gusts 35 mph57 km/h
UV peak
6
Monday, Nov 2. Cloudy. High 51°11°, low 41°5°. Rain 0.2 in5.1 mm, 40% chance. Mostly agree.
1. Morning
  6 AM–noon
  Partly sunny, 42°6°
  40% chance · 0.03 in0.8 mm
2. Afternoon
  noon–6 PM
  Cloudy, 53°12°
  30% chance
3. Evening
  6 PM–midnight
  Cloudy, 45°7°
  20% chance
Hours this far out come from computer models only.
The National Weather Service writes about seven days ahead; this day is our model forecast only.
Mostly agreeIndependent forecasts are fairly close; small surprises are possible.
High, likely
48°9°–54°12°
Low, likely
36°2°–46°8°
Wind
17 mph27 km/h, gusts 45 mph72 km/h
UV peak
5

10 days15 days30 days

The outlook

Today
82% chance of rain, high 62°, low 46°.
Tomorrow
41% chance of rain, high 62°, low 43°.
Monday
Dry, high 63°, low 42°.
Rest of week
Highs 51–69°; chance of precipitation on Friday, Saturday.

Want the meteorologists’ reasoning? Read the NWS forecast discussion (ABQ) (opens in a new tab)

What changed since yesterday

No meaningful changes from yesterday’s forecast.

Radar

Radar data: NOAA MRMS, rendered by forecast.blue

Radar loads when scrolled into view

Full-screen radar

Rivers

NOAA river gauges within 25 mi

Rio Ruidoso at Hollywood

3.0 mi

Below flood stage

Level: 2.0 ft
Flow: 17 cfs

Reading from Sat 6:40 AM · NWS gauge page

Tularosa Creek near Bent

19 mi

Level: 2.1 ft
Flow: 9 cfs

Reading from Sat 6 AM · NWS gauge page

Sun & moon

Sun

Daylight: 11 h 4 min; Losing 1 min 53 s a day; shortest Dec 21, 1 h 7 min less
Golden hour: 5:44–6:34 PM; Morning 6:59–7:48 AM
Blue hour: 6:34–6:43 PM; Morning 6:49–6:59 AM; first light 6:49 AM

Stars tonight? Poor

Clouds most of the night (about 85% cover).

Moon

Waxing gibbous

97% lit · growing

Today: sets 5:35 AM · rises 5:16 PM
Full moon: Oct 25
New moon: Nov 9

Looking west from Ruidoso. The highest point on the skyline is about 11,800 ft, 8 mi away.Skyline from USGS elevation data, heights drawn up to 3× taller. Sky, sun and moon as they are now.

1 active weather alert

Flood Watch