The National Weather Service (NWS) Albuquerque has issued a Flood Watch for extensive areas of New Mexico, warning of possible flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall. The alert was issued on October 24, 2026, at 1:29 PM MDT and is set to expire on October 25, 2026, at 6:00 AM MDT. This watch covers portions of central, east central, north central, northeast, and southeast New Mexico.

Specific regions under the Flood Watch include the Far Northwest Highlands, Northwest Highlands, Tusas Mountains Including Chama, Jemez Mountains, Glorieta Mesa Including Glorieta Pass, Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Other areas mentioned are the Central Highlands, Eastern Lincoln County, Estancia Valley, Middle Rio Grande Valley including the Albuquerque Metro Area, Sandia and Manzano Mountains including Edgewood, South Central Highlands, South Central Mountains, De Baca County, Guadalupe County, East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Espanola Valley, and the Santa Fe Metro Area. Valencia County also had an active Flood Watch on October 24.

Showers and thunderstorms, along with periods of rain, are forecast to move northward across New Mexico through Monday. The NWS Albuquerque indicates that the heaviest rainfall is expected on Saturday and Sunday along and east of the central mountain chain, where flash flooding may occur. There is a slight risk of excessive rainfall capable of producing flash flooding across much of central and eastern New Mexico through Saturday night, extending to northeast and east-central areas into Sunday and Sunday night. Some storms may become severe on Saturday afternoon and evening, with potential for large hail, damaging wind, and an isolated tornado. A few severe storms are also possible on Sunday, primarily over south-central, southeast, and east central regions.

Separate from the Flood Watch, a Flood Warning remains in effect for the Animas River near Cedar Hill until Saturday afternoon. Minor flooding is occurring and forecast in this area, approaching a flood of record. At 11:00 AM MDT on Friday, the river stage was 10.6 feet, with a flood stage of 10.5 feet. The river was expected to crest at 11.3 feet late Friday afternoon. Motorists are advised not to drive around barricades or through flooded areas, and caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Catastrophic flooding is also reported as ongoing in the San Juan River near and downstream of Farmington, including Shiprock, where the river reached a record high stage.