Special Weather Statement, NWS Albuquerque, NM

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
534 PM MDT Tue Aug 7 2018

.AVIATION...
00Z TAF CYCLE
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for northeastern NM thru 9
pm. Storms are still developing over the high terrain of the Sangre
de Cristo Mts and near the Colorado border as of 23Z. This activity
will move southeast and organize more into a few severe storms as the
evening progresses. Farther west, convective outflows are forcing a
few SHRA/TSRA into the Rio Grande Valley from KSAF to KABQ. Latest
near-term, hi-res model guidance shows SHRA continuing thru around
08Z within central NM before tapering off overnight. Eastern NM will
likely stay active much of the night as TSRA tapers to an area of
rain with embedded TS thru the early morning. Another active day is
expected Wednesday.

Guyer

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION...244 PM MDT Tue Aug 7 2018...
.SYNOPSIS...
Severe storms are possible over the far northeast highlands and
plains this evening, capable of producing large hail, strong winds,
frequent lightning, and locally heavy rainfall. Storms will generally
move east-southeast toward the eastern New Mexico border late this
evening. Another round of afternoon storms is expected along the
central mountain chain eastward, with above normal temperatures
Wednesday. A backdoor front will bring a gap wind through the central
mountain chain to Albuquerque and Santa Fe Wednesday night. The front
will also replenish moisture in the central valley, enhancing storm
coverage there Thursday. Friday will see the best coverage of storms
over much of the state with high temperatures trending below normal.
Drier conditions are expected this weekend, however spotty storms
will still exist. High temperatures look to remain below normal
through the weekend as well.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
A growing batch of cu are forming over the higher terrain, as is
usual for August over NM. This evening's main concern remains over
the far northeast highlands and adjacent plains where a few severe
thunderstorm cells are likely to develop. Plenty of sfc moisture,
instability of 2000-2500 J/kg of CAPE, and sfc-6km shear of 30-40kts
with NW flow aloft will allow for the potential for large hail,
frequent lightning, locally heavy rainfall, and strong downburst
winds up to 70mph. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is out for Colfax and
Union Counties to 9pm MDT this evening as a result. Storms are
expected to evolve and become more organized as they generally move
east- southeast 20-30mph toward far northeast NM and southeast CO.
Models also continue to show the east- central highlands seeing
convective activity later this afternoon and evening. Outflows from
the strong storms over far northeast NM and the east-central
highlands could collide later this evening over east-central NM
keeping storm activity going well into the night for locales near and
around Tucumcari.

The outflow/backdoor bdry will push further south and west to the
east slopes of the Sangre's and to around I-40 Wednesday. This will
setup another day of afternoon convection there, with a few storms
again likely becoming severe over the northeast plains. The backdoor
push moves through the gaps of the central mtn chain Wednesday night
bringing a gap wind to ABQ and Santa Fe. The added moisture will
provide an uptick in storm coverage over central valley locations
Thursday. High temperatures also fall Thursday behind the front, into
the upper 80s for ABQ. Temperatures fall a few degrees more Friday.
Storm coverage will be at its peak Friday for the state as a whole as
the front pushes past the continental divide. The threat of locally
heavy rainfall and flash flooding spreads into western NM as a
result.

The upper high builds back over the Great Basin by Saturday setting
up a drier northeast flow over NM. Expect a downtrend in storm
coverage, although the southern third of NM does look to keep a
healthy batch of storms going. The northeast flow remains Sunday,
with an upper level low moving into the panhandle of Texas sometime
Sunday into early next week. This would enhance storm coverage for
eastern NM. It would also help keep temperatures down below normal as
well.

24

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Hot, dry and unstable conditions continue across much of northwest
New Mexico, while hot, moist and unstable conditions prevail across
eastern New Mexico. Wetting storms will favor the higher terrain and
northeast plains this evening. More of the same Wednesday as the
upper high holds-on over southern UT and northern AZ. Wetting storms
will progress further south across the eastern plains Wednesday
night.

Humidity and chances for wetting rain will ramp-up late week as the
upper high moves further northwest across the Great Basin, allowing
moisture to spread west across the state. High temperatures will
trend down as a result of the added cloud cover and rain-cooling.
The upper high will move south to over AZ and/or southern CA early
to mid next week and expand over NM, leading to a warming trend with
daily rounds of wetting storms trending down but still remaining
active.

11

&&

.ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&