Key facts
- Alert
- Freeze Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service offices: Albuquerque NM, Midland/Odessa TX
- Areas
- Northwest Plateau; Espanola Valley; Santa Fe Metro Area; Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area; Lower Rio Grande Valley; Central Highlands; South Central Highlands; Upper Tularosa Valley; Far Northeast Highlands; Union County; Harding County; Eastern San Miguel County; Guadalupe County; Quay County; Curry County; Roosevelt County; De Baca County; Chaves County Plains; Eastern Lincoln County; Southwest Chaves County; San Agustin Plains and Adjacent Lowlands; Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County; Guadalupe Mountains Above 7000 Feet; Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains
- In effect
- until 9:00 AM MDT, Oct 17, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.”
National Weather Service offices: Albuquerque NM, Midland/Odessa TX, Freeze Warning, 7:51 PM MDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
“Subfreezing temperatures as low as 26 expected.”
National Weather Service offices: Albuquerque NM, Midland/Odessa TX, Freeze Warning, 7:51 PM MDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.”
National Weather Service offices: Albuquerque NM, Midland/Odessa TX, Freeze Warning, 7:51 PM MDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. Cover them or move potted plants indoors before the freeze begins at midnight.
Protect outdoor plumbing, since the National Weather Service says unprotected pipes could be damaged. Cover exposed pipes and faucets, and disconnect hoses.
Bring pets indoors and check on older neighbors. If you must drive in the early morning, allow extra time and carry a winter kit.
Context
The National Weather Service says not every spot in the warning area will freeze. Areas around Farmington, the Albuquerque Sunport and much of the northeast Albuquerque Heights are not expected to fall below freezing. Areas south of Burnham, around Belen and Los Lunas, the Albuquerque Valley and near Double Eagle Airport are likely to freeze.
FEMA flood-insurance claim counts for some affected counties cover only insured properties and reflect flood history, not cold weather. FEMA disaster declarations for these counties include floods, storms and fires, and one 2011 declaration involved severe winter storm and extreme cold temperatures.
Updates
- The freeze warning is no longer in effect.
- National Weather Service offices: Albuquerque NM, Midland/Odessa TX issued the freeze warning until 9:00 AM MDT.
History here
This county: 20 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1980, most recent 2026.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4152 (2013): severe storms, flooding, and mudslides
- DR-1936 (2010): severe storms and flooding
- DR-1659 (2006): severe storms and flooding
This county: 48 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1979, most recent 2024.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4795 (2024): south fork fire, salt fire, and flooding
- DR-4152 (2013): severe storms, flooding, and mudslides
- DR-1936 (2010): severe storms and flooding
This county: 31 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1980, most recent 2018.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
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Questions
- Is there a freeze warning in New Mexico tonight?
- Yes. The National Weather Service issued a Freeze Warning at 7:51 PM MDT Friday, October 16, 2026. It runs from midnight tonight to 9:00 AM MDT Saturday.
- How cold will it get during the New Mexico freeze warning?
- The National Weather Service expects subfreezing temperatures as low as 26. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and sensitive vegetation.
- Will Albuquerque freeze tonight?
- Parts of it, yes. The National Weather Service says the Albuquerque Valley and areas near Double Eagle Airport are likely to freeze, but the Albuquerque Sunport and much of the northeast Albuquerque Heights will not.
Sources
- National Weather Service offices: Albuquerque NM, Midland/Odessa TX: Freeze Warning, Oct 16, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.