ALBUQUERQUE – Forecasters with the National Weather Service are warning that rivers and streams could swell as New Mexico prepares for wet weather this weekend.

Officials say the greatest precipitation totals are expected in the higher elevations and will likely fall as snow, so flooding isn’t anticipated in those areas as a result.

There’s risk for heavy rainfall Friday in areas along and mainly south of the Interstate 40 corridor over the Rio Puerco basin. More than an inch is possible in this region, and forecasters say lower-end flash flooding is possible.

This comes as dry conditions improve across the state. The latest federal map shows only a pocket of severe drought remains in northwestern New Mexico.