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Copyright © 2020 Albuquerque Journal

Albuquerque and most of New Mexico are bracing for a heat wave later this week, with triple-digit temperatures expected to come close to breaking July records.

Sharon Sullivan, meteorologist for the National Weather Service Albuquerque office, said the heat wave will arrive Thursday, and precipitation chances will dwindle as the week goes on.

“If you need to walk your dog or work in the garden, make sure to avoid that midday heat, and try to get those tasks done earlier in the day,” Sullivan said. “Stay hydrated if you do have to be outdoors.”

On Tuesday, Albuquerque will have a high of 96 degrees and a 10% chance of rain.

On Wednesday, Albuquerque will have a high of 97 degrees. On Thursday, a high of 99 degrees is forecast.

The Land of Enchantment will really start to heat up this weekend.

Albuquerque heat could enter triple digits starting Friday, with a high of 101 expected for the metro area.

Scorching, near-record temperatures will ramp up over the weekend. Saturday’s high in Albuquerque is expected to be 103, and Sunday is expected to be the hottest day of the week, with a high of 104.

The highest July temperature ever recorded at the Albuquerque Sunport was 105 degrees on July 18, 1980.

Eastern New Mexico will likely have the highest temperatures in the state this week. Roswell could have temperatures as high as 108 on Sunday and Monday. The highest July temperature ever recorded at the Roswell airport was 111 degrees, on July 27, 1995.

Tucumcari could hit 107 this weekend, and Clovis may reach a high of 104 Saturday and Sunday.

Meteorologist Andy Church referred to models from the National Climate Prediction Center that suggest above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation for much of July in New Mexico.

“This heat, especially in the Middle Rio Grande Valley, with these types of temperatures this early, this high, is a pretty rare event,” Church said. “It is going to be a dry heat, but we know that doesn’t necessarily make much of a difference. We’ve got no clouds and little shade.”

A heat risk map for Sunday, July 12, which is predicted to be the hottest day of the week. The red and magenta areas highlight where heat will pose a high risk to much of the population.