Today, monsoon humidity has surged across the state, bringing more widespread rain and storms, mainly along and to the west of the Central Range. The heaviest rain fell in the south, with parts of Gila and Hidalgo counties receiving 0.05 to 1.5 inches of rain through the afternoon and evening. Heavy rains were only localized, with the rest of the state mainly dealing with runoff borders caused by gusts from nearby storms. Four Corners had the strongest winds, with gusts of up to 102 mph over Cortez.

Showers and storms will gradually weaken overnight through Thursday morning. A surge of dry air will reach western New Mexico tomorrow, bringing only scattered storms along and east of the Central Range, as well as the isolated highlands of the Gila River. Dryer air will make its way into the state Friday through next weekend.

High pressure returns to the southwestern desert this weekend, bringing dry air across the state. Temperatures are likely to rise again this weekend as high pressure builds across southern New Mexico and Arizona. Sunny skies and dry air are expected to bring even more record high temperatures across the state on Saturday and Sunday. The only exception may be isolated storms over the Sacramento Mountains.

Hotter and drier conditions are expected to continue into next week. Unfortunately, August is usually he second wettest month of the year, but below-average rainfall is forecast for the western and southern parts of the state. This year he expects above average temperatures across the state in August, with the most extreme heat expected in the South.