ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Winter weather is returning to parts of New Mexico and Arizona early this week.
National Weather Service meteorologists say a storm system is expected to bring cold temperatures and snow to New Mexico on Monday and Tuesday.
Light snow Monday morning will produce up to three inches of snow for areas above 8000 feet (2,438 meters).
Isolated thunderstorms will spawn over the southwest mountains and work their way northeast, but scattered showers will eventually become widespread precipitation by Tuesday morning.
Authorities say driving will be difficult in eastern and northern New Mexico because of high winds, cold temperatures and moderate to heavy snow.
Weather Service officials say Arizona could see moderate to heavy rain Monday and Tuesday.
The snow level will drop to around 6000 feet (1,829 meters) on Tuesday in northern Arizona and a few inches (less than a millimeter) of snow is expected to fall along portions of the Mogollon Rim.
The storm system should leave Arizona by Wednesday morning.
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