Record-breaking warm weather hits New Mexico during Mother Road Half Marathon

Albuquerque and eastern parts of the state see temperatures soar well above seasonal norms.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Runners in the Mother Road Half Marathon in Albuquerque on Sunday were able to compete in shorts and t-shirts as temperatures reached record highs across New Mexico. Albuquerque hit 79 degrees, breaking a 1974 record, while Roswell and Portales also set new high temperature marks for early March.

Why it matters

The unseasonably warm and dry weather in New Mexico is highly unusual for this time of year and could be an early sign of climate change impacts in the region. The extreme temperatures also pose risks for outdoor events and activities, as well as potential fire hazards.

The details

Albuquerque International Sunport reported a high of 79 degrees on Sunday, breaking the previous record of 74 degrees set in 1974. In eastern New Mexico, Roswell hit 88 degrees, two degrees above its previous record high of 86 set in 2006. Portales also broke an 85-year-old record, reaching 83 degrees compared to the previous high of 80 degrees set in 1941.

  • On Sunday, March 2, 2026, the Mother Road Half Marathon was held in Albuquerque.
  • The previous record high temperatures in Albuquerque, Roswell, and Portales were set in 1974, 2006, and 1941 respectively.

The players

Mother Road Half Marathon

An annual running event held in Albuquerque, New Mexico that follows a route along historic Route 66.

National Weather Service of Albuquerque

The local office of the National Weather Service that monitors and reports on weather conditions in the Albuquerque area and across New Mexico.

Michael Anand

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service of Albuquerque who provided information and analysis on the record-breaking temperatures.

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What they’re saying

“In early March, it is typically in the upper 50s.”

— Michael Anand, Meteorologist, National Weather Service of Albuquerque

What’s next

The high pressure system is expected to move east later in the week, bringing temperatures down to the low 60s before warming back up to around 70 on Sunday. Parts of the state could also see some precipitation at that time.

The takeaway

The record-breaking warm weather in New Mexico is a concerning sign of the impacts of climate change, with temperatures soaring well above seasonal norms and posing risks for outdoor events and activities. As the weather patterns continue to shift, communities will need to adapt to these changing conditions.