Students across Albuquerque and Rio Rancho are getting an up-close look at hot-air balloons Friday as part of the Balloons Aloft event, which brings nearly 200 pilots to local schools to showcase their balloons and teach students how they take flight.
Nearly 200 pilots are visiting schools across Albuquerque and Rio Rancho for the Balloons Aloft event, giving students a chance to learn about and experience hot-air balloons up close.
Balloons Aloft began in 2005 as a fun way to unofficially kick off the Balloon Fiesta.
The event allows students, parents, and staff to meet pilots and crews while learning about the science behind hot-air balloons.
The event is especially meaningful for students who may not have the opportunity to attend the Balloon Fiesta, said Aimee Sewell, assistant principal at Janet Kahn School of Integrated Arts.
“They love it. They’re in awe and look at the fire. And everybody kind of flinches whenever they pull the thing in the fire,” Sewell said.
Students at Janet Kahn have been learning about hot-air balloons in class ahead of the event.
Friday, two balloons will be at the school, and some students may even get the opportunity to step into the balloon basket.
“It’s fun for the kids to see what they’ve been learning about,” Sewell said.
It was a seasonable morning as temperatures fell into the 30s, 40s, and 50s around the Land of Enchantment.
Cloud coverage continued overnight and this morning for areas in eastern and southeastern New Mexico.
Rain moved through Ruidoso earlier this morning with clouds keeping them cooler this afternoon.
So far, the village has only reached the low 50s by noon.
Today, that cloud coverage is expected to keep communities in east and southeast New Mexico cooler than Thursday.
Forecasted highs will range in the 60s and 70s for most of New Mexico and southwest Colorado.
Light rain will also be possible in areas in southeastern New Mexico through tonight.
This weekend drier air is expected to take precedent across the Land of Enchantment.
An anticyclone or high-pressure system will build into Arizona and Utah then shift farther east toward the Four Corners over the weekend.
This will allow drier air to move into the state.
Near normal high temperatures will be part of the forecast throughout the state.
For Balloon Fiesta temperatures are expected to fall into the upper 40s and low 50s at Balloon Fiesta Park.
Drier weather will be around for most of the state aside from the chance for spotty showers on Sunday and Monday in far northern New Mexico, in the northern mountains.
This pattern change will continue to bring us drier weather into early next week.
Isolated showers might be possible around New Mexico by late next week, but drier conditions will stick around for the near future.
Temperatures in Albuquerque will trend into the 70s and possibly low 80s over the next seven days!
