NM Border Air Quality Blog

May 4

It was a cool start to the day at several locations. Antelope Wells had a low of 40F and NMSU with a 44. The long term average low at NMSU for this day is 48F and the record low was 36. Further east Artesia was at the freezing point. The desert southwest will be warming up to the mid 80s today with mostly high clouds overhead. Winds will be light starting from the south early in the day and turning from the south southwest in the afternoon. Below is a prediction of the winds at 6 pm.

The AQI forecast is showing a warm season pattern with moderate air quality due to ozone over the majority of the urban areas in the southwest US. Today's AQI forecast for Dona Ana County is 85, in the moderate range. Tomorrow's AQI forecast is 99 in Dona Ana County which is just shy of the next level "unhealthy for sensitive groups."

 

The EPA/NOAA ozone forecast shows the highest 1-hour concentrations over the southwest US. Below is their forecast for 5 pm MDT.

The Abrams fire continues to burn on the east flanks of the Organ Mountains but is 100 percent contained. The Miller fire in the Gila Wilderness is active and so far burned 9440 acres. The Cloverdale fire at the SW corner of the Bootheel is burning grass and brush and estimated at 150 acres.

No sign of any significant precipitation over the next 5 days in our region. The possibility of a brief shower in West Texas on Friday afternoon will help.