Alert archive / New Mexico / Special Weather Statements in 2021

Special Weather Statement, NWS El Paso, TX

July 23, 2021Sierra County, New Mexico

NWS El Paso, TX issued this special weather statement at Jul 23, 2021, 6:46 PM MDT for Sierra County, New Mexico. It was in force for 29 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Jul 23, 2021, 6:46 PM MDT (00:46 UTC)
Expired
Jul 23, 2021, 7:15 PM MDT
In force
29 min
Issued by
NWS El Paso, TX

County Sierra County, NM

The radar

The Holloman AFB radar (KHDX), 62 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:47 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Albuquerq/Krtlnd, NM (KABQ), launched 00:00Z, 0.8 hours before the alert went out and 205 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Albuquerq/Krtlnd, NM at 00:00Z on 2021-07-24Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 20 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Albuquerq/Krtlnd, NM at 00:00Z on 2021-07-24The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 54 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
20 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-200 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2101 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
24 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
54 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
233 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

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What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this special weather statement went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS El Paso, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before this special weather statement went out at Jul 23, 5:19 PM MDT, 1 hour 27 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 23, 5:19 PM MDT, 1 hour 27 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service El Paso TX/Santa Teresa NM
519 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

...UPDATED FOR THE 00Z TAF CYCLE...

.AVIATION...00Z TAF CYCLE...
Mostly VFR conditions are expected through the period. Again MVFR
to IFR is possible associated to SHRA/TSRA in the area as CIGS
and VIS decrease due to lower clouds and heavy rain. Winds will be
generally from the west with speeds between 10 to 15 kts,
stronger winds are possible associated to storms in the area.
Chances for storms remain in the overnight period, but confidence
is lower at the moment. TAFS will be amended if the possibility
increases. SHRA/TSRA return again after 18Z, starting over area
mountains then moving into the lowlands.

&&
29

.PREV DISCUSSION...236 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021...

.SYNOPSIS...
Moisture will persist across the area for much of the week ahead.
Minor disturbances aloft will help kick off thunderstorms over the
area tonight, while by Saturday and Sunday, an upper low will form
over Arizona. This will bring most of the thunderstorm focus to
west of the Continental Divide, with just isolated storms to the
east. Some of these storms in the west could produce flooding. An
upper high will strengthen over the central Rockies and southern
Plains Monday through Thursday, allowing isolated thunderstorms to
continue.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
.SHORT TERM...Tonight and Saturday...
Abundant moisture will combine with a retrograding upper level
trough to bring a good chance of rain to the area tonight and on
Saturday. This morning's balloon sounding had a precipitable water
(PW) value of a little over 1.10, which is a little above average
for this time of year. PW's values are expected to climb a little
higher this evening. This fact combined with a decent upper level
trough that is retrograding (moving east to west) across the area
will lead to wide spread convection this evening. CAMS (convective
allowing models) are struggling to pin down a convective trend. A
few CAMS models are showing the best chances for rain east of the
Rio Grande, while several others favor thunderstorms west of the Rio
Grande. For now I have given the best rain chances in area
mountains, but the lowlands will continue with at least scattered
rain chances this evening. The thunderstorms will be efficient rain
makers, so whoever is under one of the storms could see rain totals
quickly pile up. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches will be possible
this evening with isolated higher totals which could lead to some
flash flooding. A flash flood watch is in effect for the mountain
zones and for the southwest zones of New Mexico.

As the upper level trough drifts further west, so will the best
chances for rain. We will see a little drier air on the back side of
the trough, but there will still be plenty of moisture for isolated
to scattered thunderstorms on Saturday. There will still be a chance
for flash flooding on Saturday, but the main threat will be for
locations west of the Continental Divide. Again 1 to 2 inches of
rain will be possible west of the Divide on Saturday. East of the
Divide we will see isolated to scattered thunderstorms. I can't rule
out some isolated flash flooding east of the Continental Divide, but
the best chances for flooding will stay out west.

Looking at the temperatures, for tonight our lows will be right near
seasonal averages. On Saturday with all the clouds and rain chances
we will see below average high temperatures. Highs will be around 10
to 15 degrees below average west of the Rio Grande and locations
east of the Rio Grande where we will see a little more sun, will see
highs 3 to 5 degrees below average.

&&
15

.LONG TERM...Saturday night through Friday...
This forecast period begins with the newly formed low over Arizona
and the upper high over the southern Plains creating a moist
southerly flow over the CWA. The best instability and layered
moisture (PWs of 1.4 to 1.5 inches) should remain west of the
Cont Divide, hence potential for heavy rain/flooding. Will keep
Flash Flood Watch out for zones west of the Cont Divide into day
break Sunday morning.

By Monday morning the upper low has shifted west to just off the
northern Baja coast, while the upper high's dominant portion
begins building over the central Rockies. This pattern will
continue through Thursday--no drastic drying out, but likely only
isolated thunderstorms at best, with temps rising back to near
normal.

New GFS/ECMWF runs in much greater agreement for next weekend;
bringing upper high back toward the Four Corners region. Thus the
weekend looks to be limited to mainly isolated mountain
thunderstorms. Temps remaining near or even slightly above normal.

&&
17

.FIRE WEATHER...
We are in an active weather pattern for the next 36 hours as
abundant moisture and an upper level storm system will bring
scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms to the area. Min
RH's will be 30% or higher this afternoon through Sunday and then
come down a little for the start of next week, but still be mainly
above 20% through at least Wednesday. High temperatures will
continue below average through the weekend and winds will stay below
critical levels for the next seven days, the one exception would be
some strong gusty outflow winds associated with thunderstorms which
will occur each afternoon and evening. We will see isolated to
scattered rain chances for the start of next week, which will help
keep our fire danger low.

&&
15

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
El Paso                 70  88  69  91 /  30  40  30  30
Sierra Blanca           63  84  66  87 /  40  40  30  20
Las Cruces              66  85  64  89 /  30  40  40  30
Alamogordo              64  88  66  90 /  40  40  30  40
Cloudcroft              48  67  50  69 /  60  40  40  60
Truth or Consequences   65  83  64  88 /  60  50  50  50
Silver City             59  72  59  77 /  60  70  70  60
Deming                  65  84  63  89 /  40  70  50  40
Lordsburg               65  77  64  84 /  70  70  60  50
West El Paso Metro      69  89  68  92 /  30  40  30  30
Dell City               66  90  67  93 /  40  40  30  30
Fort Hancock            68  91  69  93 /  40  40  30  20
Loma Linda              63  82  66  84 /  30  40  30  30
Fabens                  69  89  69  91 /  30  40  30  30
Santa Teresa            66  87  66  90 /  30  40  30  30
White Sands HQ          66  86  66  89 /  40  40  30  30
Jornada Range           65  84  62  88 /  40  40  40  30
Hatch                   66  85  63  89 /  40  40  40  40
Columbus                66  83  64  88 /  40  70  40  30
Orogrande               65  87  64  90 /  30  40  30  30
Mayhill                 54  76  56  77 /  60  40  40  50
Mescalero               53  76  56  77 /  60  40  40  60
Timberon                51  74  55  76 /  50  40  30  50
Winston                 55  75  58  78 /  60  60  60  60
Hillsboro               61  80  63  83 /  50  70  50  50
Spaceport               65  83  63  87 /  40  40  40  40
Lake Roberts            56  74  56  77 /  70  70  60  60
Hurley                  60  77  60  81 /  60  70  60  50
Cliff                   59  80  61  83 /  70  70  70  60
Mule Creek              61  74  59  77 /  70  70  70  70
Faywood                 61  77  61  81 /  60  70  50  50
Animas                  64  77  63  84 /  70  70  60  50
Hachita                 63  79  62  84 /  50  70  50  40
Antelope Wells          64  79  62  84 /  50  70  50  50
Cloverdale              60  72  62  77 /  70  70  60  60

&&

.EPZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NM...Flash Flood Watch through late Saturday night for NMZ401>408.

     Flash Flood Watch through late tonight for NMZ414>416.

TX...None.
&&

15-Brice/17-Hefner/29-Crespo
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 23, 11:07 AM MDT, 7 hours 39 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service El Paso TX/Santa Teresa NM
1107 AM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

NMZ401>417-TXZ418>424-241715-
Upper Gila River Valley-Southern Gila Highlands/Black Range-
Southern Gila Foothills/Mimbres Valley-
Southwest Desert/Lower Gila River Valley-Lowlands of the Bootheel-
Uplands of the Bootheel-Southwest Desert/Mimbres Basin-
Eastern Black Range Foothills-Sierra County Lakes-
Northern Dona Ana County-Southern Dona Ana County/Mesilla Valley-
Central Tularosa Basin-Southern Tularosa Basin-
West Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet-
Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet-
East Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet-Otero Mesa-
Western El Paso County-Eastern/Central El Paso County-
Northern Hudspeth Highlands/Hueco Mountains-Salt Basin-
Southern Hudspeth Highlands-
Rio Grande Valley of Eastern El Paso/Western Hudspeth Counties-
Rio Grande Valley of Eastern Hudspeth County-
1107 AM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of south central
New Mexico, southwest New Mexico, and southwest Texas.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight
An approaching upper level storm system will bring scattered to
numerous thunderstorms across the area. Some of those storms could
produce heavy rain and excessive runoff. The main threat for heavy
rain will be in area mountains and for locations east of the
Continental Divide. Rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches with isolated
higher amounts will be possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday
The threat for heavy rain will continue west of the Rio Grande on
Saturday and then lower rain chances east of the river. For
Sunday through Thursday, we will see slightly below average high
temperatures with scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms in
area mountains and isolated thunderstorms in the lowlands.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotters are asked to report significant weather to local law
enforcement and to the NWS office via our 800 spotter number or
via Twitter using our @NWSElPaso user name.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 23, 4:22 PM MDT, 2 hours 24 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service El Paso TX
422 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

NMZ411-413-232245-
Southern Tularosa Basin NM-
Southern Dona Ana County/Mesilla Valley NM-
422 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN DONA ANA COUNTY
UNTIL 445 PM MDT...

At 422 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Vado, moving northeast at 15 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 45 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Vado, Las Cruces, Berino, NMSU Main Campus, Chamberino, San Miguel,
Mesquite, La Mesa, Talavera, High Valley and San Pablo.

This includes Interstate 10 in New Mexico between mile markers 143
and 159.

LAT...LON 3203 10669 3225 10680 3230 10667 3210 10651
TIME...MOT...LOC 2222Z 242DEG 12KT 3214 10666

BROWN
Special weather statement, Jul 23, 4:47 PM MDT, 1 hour 59 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service El Paso TX
447 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

TXZ420-232315-
Northern Hudspeth Highlands/Hueco Mountains TX-
447 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN HUDSPETH AND EASTERN
EL PASO COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM MDT...

At 446 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5
miles south of Desert Haven, moving east at 10 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Desert Haven and Hueco Mountain Wind Ranch.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3166 10596 3175 10603 3187 10587 3172 10575
TIME...MOT...LOC 2246Z 249DEG 10KT 3174 10593

BROWN
Special weather statement, Jul 23, 4:58 PM MDT, 1 hour 48 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service El Paso TX
458 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

NMZ409-410-232330-
Northern Dona Ana County NM-Sierra County Lakes NM-
458 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN SIERRA AND NORTH
CENTRAL DONA ANA COUNTIES UNTIL 530 PM MDT...

At 458 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles northeast of Rincon, moving east at 15 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 45 mph will be possible with
this storm.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Sierra
and north central Dona Ana Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3268 10703 3276 10708 3290 10699 3275 10682
TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 251DEG 15KT 3277 10699

BROWN
Special weather statement, Jul 23, 5:25 PM MDT, 1 hour 21 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service El Paso TX
525 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

NMZ411-TXZ418-240000-
Southern Dona Ana County/Mesilla Valley NM-Western El Paso County TX-
525 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTH CENTRAL DONA ANA AND
NORTHWESTERN EL PASO COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM MDT...

At 525 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Santa Teresa, moving west at 20 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 45 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
West El Paso, Santa Teresa, Anthony, Sunland Park, Canutillo,
Westway, Vinton, La Union and Union Pacific Intermodal Terminal.

This includes Interstate 10 in Texas between mile markers 3 and 12.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3194 10689 3202 10661 3185 10651 3178 10667
      3179 10682
TIME...MOT...LOC 2325Z 069DEG 17KT 3187 10668

BROWN
Special weather statement, Jul 23, 5:25 PM MDT, 1 hour 21 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service El Paso TX
525 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

NMZ402-408-409-240000-
Eastern Black Range Foothills NM-
Southern Gila Highlands/Black Range NM-Sierra County Lakes NM-
525 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTH CENTRAL SIERRA COUNTY UNTIL
600 PM MDT...

At 525 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles northwest of Cuchillo. This storm was nearly stationary.

Half inch hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Monticello, Cuchillo, San Miguel, City of Elephant Butte, Alamosa
Canyon, Las Placitas, Rock Canyon, Chise, Lost Canyon, Lakeshore
Highlands, Elephant Butte Lake and Hot Springs Landing.

This includes Interstate 25 in New Mexico between mile markers 80 and
90.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3322 10716 3316 10746 3326 10761 3348 10743
      3348 10737
TIME...MOT...LOC 2325Z 224DEG 4KT 3329 10746

CRESPO
Special weather statement, Jul 23, 5:56 PM MDT, 50 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service El Paso TX
556 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

NMZ407-411-240030-
Southwest Desert/Mimbres Basin NM-
Southern Dona Ana County/Mesilla Valley NM-
556 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN LUNA AND
SOUTHWESTERN DONA ANA COUNTIES UNTIL 630 PM MDT...

At 554 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 16
miles east of Columbus, moving east at 5 mph. The storm is moving
along portions of Highway 9 near the Luna and Dona Ana county line.

Half inch hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Camel Mountain.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3188 10745 3194 10720 3178 10718 3179 10744
TIME...MOT...LOC 2354Z 264DEG 6KT 3180 10736

CRESPO

The office that day

Everything else NWS El Paso, TX issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 23, 6:10 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryEPZSierra3 hr
Jul 23, 6:31 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementEPZDoña Ana29 min
Jul 23, 6:43 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEPZDoña Ana47 min
Jul 23, 7:07 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryEPZDoña Ana3 hr
Jul 23, 8:07 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryEPZDoña Ana3 hr
Jul 24, 11:30 AM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryEPZGrant, Luna, Sierra3 hr
Jul 24, 1:23 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryEPZSierra52 min
Jul 24, 3:10 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryEPZLuna, Sierra2 hr
Jul 23, 6:04 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningEPZEl Paso3 hr

Nearby

Special Weather Statements in New Mexico, 2021Every special weather statement in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.