Artesia, New Mexico 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

424
FXUS64 KMAF 191836
AFDMAF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
136 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 136 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

- Near to record-breaking high temperatures this afternoon
  through Sunday.

- Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and take frequent breaks from
  the heat through the weekend!

- Cold front arrives Sunday night into Monday morning, briefly
  cooling temperatures down before heat returns by the middle of
  next week.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This afternoon through Friday night)
Issued at 136 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

Temperatures in near record territory await within the short term
forecast period. Upper ridging centered over northwestern Mexico and
the Desert Southwest remains our dominant weather maker. This
feature shall drift eastward ever so slightly nearer our region
through the end of the week, allowing for well above normal
temperatures. Meanwhile, light southerly winds prevail at the
surface. So far this afternoon, temperatures have already climbed
into the 80s and are expected to max out at 91F at MAF. The daily
record high to beat today is 90F, set on March 19, 2017. Lows
tonight and Friday night are largely progged to dip into the 50s,
with a few spots in the low 60s Friday night. Friday afternoon is on
track to feature highs in the 90s, with the exception of 80s in the
higher terrain. The daily record high for March 20th at MAF is 94F,
set in 2017. Given a forecast high of 95F, we have a good shot at
breaking this record. Needless to say, no rainfall is expected
within the short term.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Saturday through Wednesday)
Issued at 136 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

The upper-level ridge of high pressure expands to the east over our
area by Sunday, providing an additional day of record highs being
either tied or broken. Additionally, guidance continues to indicate
the development of low-level thermal ridging and surface lee
troughing. This yields breezy conditions (mainly across the eastern
Permian Basin) and afternoon highs in the mid-to-upper 90s for most,
with triple digits possible in the Trans Pecos and Big Bend region
(80s in the higher terrain). There remains a medium to high (40-80%)
probability of temperatures topping out above 95 degrees on
Sunday across portions of southeast New Mexico and west Texas.
There is also a low (20-40%) probability of temperatures reaching
at least 100 degrees across portions of southeast New mexico and
the Permian Basin on Sunday.

Guidance continues to depict the arrival of a cold front Sunday
night into Monday, resulting in cooler temperatures and breezy
conditions behind it. As such, highs are forecast to be in the upper
70s to mid 80s for most Monday afternoon. However, these cooler
temperatures are short-lived as upper-level ridging amplifies over
the region Tuesday, yielding a return of temperatures into the 90s
for most during the middle part of next week. Dry conditions persist
during the long term period.

Greening

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1210 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

VFR conditions prevail, along with generally light southerly
winds. Slightly breezy winds develop at FST late this evening.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Big Spring               54  96  56  97 /   0   0   0   0
Carlsbad                 52  95  53  97 /   0   0   0   0
Dryden                   53  94  56  96 /   0   0   0   0
Fort Stockton            58  96  60  97 /   0   0   0   0
Guadalupe Pass           59  87  60  88 /   0   0   0   0
Hobbs                    50  94  53  95 /   0   0   0   0
Marfa                    44  89  46  89 /   0   0   0   0
Midland Intl Airport     55  95  58  96 /   0   0   0   0
Odessa                   55  94  59  95 /   0   0   0   0
Wink                     52  95  53  97 /   0   0   0   0

&&

.MAF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...None.
NM...None.
&&

$$

SHORT TERM...95
LONG TERM....55
AVIATION...95