Freeze Warning in Effect Friday Morning for Estancia Valley; Freeze Watch Issued for Saturday Morning
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Freeze Warning for the Estancia Valley, Central Highlands, and Northeast Highlands, in effect from 3:00 AM to 9:00 AM MDT Friday, October 16, 2026. A Freeze Watch has also been issued for the same areas, covering late Friday night through Saturday morning, October 17.
For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing temperatures as low as 34 degrees Fahrenheit are expected. The Freeze Watch indicates that temperatures as low as 22 degrees are possible Saturday morning. Because this is a watch, the colder outlook is not yet certain and could change as forecasts are refined.
Expected Impacts:
Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation and may damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Residents with gardens, fruit trees, tender perennials, and late-season plantings in Estancia, Mountainair, Moriarty, and surrounding communities should take protective steps now, before the cold arrives.
Preparation:
Cover tender plants with blankets, frost cloth, or row covers before sunset Thursday and again Friday evening. Bring potted plants indoors. For outdoor plumbing, disconnect garden hoses, drain exposed lines, and allow outdoor faucets to drip slowly overnight to keep water moving and prevent freezing.
For the latest forecast updates, visit the Albuquerque office of the National Weather Service. Torrance County residents can receive timely alerts by signing up for TextMyGov notifications:
- Text TORRANCE COUNTY to 80946 for general and emergency alerts
- Text TORRANCE FIRE ALERTS to 80946 for information on prescribed burns or active fires in the area
- Text TORRANCE NWS to 80946 for weather-related alerts