Green flags are still expected for the remainder of Balloon Fiesta, with a possible box effect on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Next week it will start to cool down again.
Record high temperatures were broken again Friday afternoon in places like Santa Fe, Farmington, Gallup and Silver City. The well-above-average warmth continued across the state today, even in dry weather. The wind remained light this afternoon and will remain light overnight.
Winds are forecast to be lighter during the final two mass ascents at Balloon Fiesta. Newer forecast models also bring the box effect back both mornings in Alquerque. Wind on the ground will push the balloons south, but higher up the wind will change direction and then push the balloons northeast. This will also be a similar story on Sunday morning. Temperatures will be in the mid 50s at Fiesta Park before warming to the mid 80s in the afternoon. The rest of the state will also stick to calm but warm weather this weekend, with more record heat possible on Saturday. High pressure will begin to drop on Sunday, allowing temperatures to finally cool.
A weak backdoor cold front will move through eastern New Mexico Sunday night through Monday. This will help bring temperatures down a few more degrees, especially in the eastern half of the state by Tuesday. By the end of next week, a trough (dip in the jet stream) will also move from the west toward New Mexico, bringing breezy to windy weather. This could also increase the chance of rain in parts of the state late next week. While temperatures will still be warmer than normal for most of the next week, that trough will send a Pacific cold front into the state, bringing much cooler air next weekend.
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