Alert archive / New Mexico / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 42, NWS Albuquerque, NM

July 21, 2026McKinley County, New Mexico

NWS Albuquerque, NM issued this flash flood warning at Jul 21, 2026, 7:25 PM MDT for McKinley County, New Mexico. It was in force for 5 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jul 21, 2026, 7:25 PM MDT (01:25 UTC)
Expired
Jul 22, 2026, 12:15 AM MDT
In force
5 hr
Issued by
NWS Albuquerque, NM
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

County McKinley County, NM

The radar

The Albuquerque radar (KABX), 139 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:25 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

Grand Junction, CO (KGJT), launched 00:00Z, 1.4 hours before the alert went out and 395 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, Grand Junction, CO at 00:00Z on 2026-07-22Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 771 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 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, Grand Junction, CO at 00:00Z on 2026-07-22The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 13 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
771 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-5 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
3633 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
19 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
13 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
95 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS Albuquerque, NM wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 21, 5:21 PM MDT, 2 hours 4 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Updated at 512 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026
  • Showers and thunderstorms will favor the central mountain chain westward through Wednesday with a risk of lightning, heavy rain, localized flooding, gusty outflow winds, and small hail.
  • The greatest risk for isolated flash flooding will focus along and west of the central mountain chain through Wednesday, as well as the Ruidoso area burn scars.
  • Moderate to major heat risk will afflict lower elevations of central and eastern New Mexico during the latter half of the week into the weekend where highs climb back into the 100s.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 21, 5:21 PM MDT, 2 hours 4 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
521 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 512 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026

- Showers and thunderstorms will favor the central mountain chain
  westward through Wednesday with a risk of lightning, heavy rain,
  localized flooding, gusty outflow winds, and small hail.

- The greatest risk for isolated flash flooding will focus along
  and west of the central mountain chain through Wednesday, as
  well as the Ruidoso area burn scars.

- Moderate to major heat risk will afflict lower elevations of
  central and eastern New Mexico during the latter half of the
  week into the weekend where highs climb back into the 100s.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Wednesday night)
Issued at 239 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026

Water vapor imagery shows an impressive closed Low over southwest
New Mexico that is dragging deep, subtropical northward with it.
Showers with a few storms have been occurring since early this
morning and afternoon destabilization has increased the coverage of
storms. Rainfall rates today will be very efficient for the desert
southwest, with localized rates as high as 2"/hour. Furthermore,
areas including Gallup and Farmington could see repeated rounds
of storms with heavy rainfall rates slowly rotating around the
north side of the Low. Storms will likely continue into the
evening hours as the forcing from the disturbance shifts
northward. While severe weather is not of huge concern with this
setup, wet microbursts could create very localized damaging
outflow wind gusts in the western half of the state this afternoon
and evening.

The disturbance over southwest NM today will continue its trek
northward into the Four Corners area Wednesday as moisture continues
to surge northward. This will result in different storm motions than
today, with storms generally moving from south to north. While many
of the same areas across western NM still have high rain chances,
the pattern change should result in different areas getting hit
compared to previous days. This flow direction is favorable for the
Ruidoso area burn scars as well so a Flash Flood Watch was issued
for that area for Wednesday afternoon.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Thursday through Monday)
Issued at 239 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026

The upper high over the TX Panhandle will move into southern NM
on Thursday, while the aformentioned disturbance rotates around it
into Colorado. Showers and storms will focus over the northern
mountains on Thursday, with much less coverage underneath the
ridge thanks to mid-level warming and drier air working its way
in from the east. A few severe storms could develop with updrafts
that roll off the Sangre de Cristo Mountains where there will be
ample instability. The center of the ridge will then setup over
central NM on Friday and Saturday, with moisture recycling around
it. Moisture levels will be near seasonal normals, but flash
flooding is a concern considering the slow and erratic storm
motions over the high terrain, including the Sacramento Mountains.
500 mb heights between 596-598 dam should help to limit
instability somewhat, but hot afternoon temps and PWATs between
1-1.25" could counteract this.

Heat will also become a concern late week into the weekend,
especially across the eastern plains where highs will reach into the
low 100s each day. Overnight lows will be above average as well (low
to mid-70s) so there will not be significant relief from the heat at
night. High temps will be pushing 100F along the Rio Grande Valley
as well, including in Albuquerque so heat risk concerns will also
extend into central NM.

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 520 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026

Showers and thunderstorms will continue to track northwestward
across central and western NM through this evening, with scattered
showers persisting overnight across northwest NM. Through the
evening, IFR vsbys in heavy rainfall (and briefly lower vsbys),
gusty winds to 35kt and frequent lightning are expected with the
strongest storms. Any showers that persist overnight will wane
around sunrise, but another crop of showers and thunderstorms are
expected for Wednesday afternoon. These storms will again favor
western and central NM but storm motions will be toward the north
or north-northeast. Storms will again be capable of heavy
rainfall, reduced visibility, gusty winds and frequent lightning.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 239 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026

Critical fire weather conditions are not expected through the next
seven days. Scattered to widespread storms will continue to focus
over the western NM today and again on Wednesday, with coverage
shifting to northern NM on Thursday. The center of the ridge will
then shift over central NM Friday into the weekend, resulting in
scattered slow-moving showers and storms that will favor the high
terrain each afternoon and the surrounding lower elevations during
the late afternoons and evenings. Temperatures will trend hotter the
next few days, particularly in eastern NM where highs will be in the
low 100s each afternoon.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Farmington......................  65  89  66  90 /  70  30  70  10
Dulce...........................  55  87  55  87 /  70  60  70  50
Cuba............................  58  84  59  86 /  50  20  50  20
Gallup..........................  56  83  58  87 /  50  50  50  20
El Morro........................  56  80  57  84 /  50  70  50  20
Grants..........................  59  84  59  88 /  40  70  40  30
Quemado.........................  57  81  58  85 /  40  60  30  30
Magdalena.......................  63  84  64  87 /  30  20  10  30
Datil...........................  57  79  59  83 /  40  70  20  20
Reserve.........................  55  85  57  90 /  50  40  20  20
Glenwood........................  56  90  60  95 /  60  30  20   5
Chama...........................  53  81  53  81 /  50  60  60  70
Los Alamos......................  64  84  64  86 /  40  20  30  40
Pecos...........................  57  86  59  88 /  40  30  40   0
Cerro/Questa....................  56  85  57  84 /  10  20  20  50
Red River.......................  48  76  49  76 /  10  30  20  40
Angel Fire......................  44  80  46  82 /  10  70  50  10
Taos............................  57  87  58  88 /  10  30  30  20
Mora............................  55  84  56  87 /  30  30  20  10
Espanola........................  66  92  67  93 /  30  10  20  30
Santa Fe........................  62  86  63  88 /  40  20  30   5
Santa Fe Airport................  61  88  62  91 /  40  20  30   5
Albuquerque Foothills...........  64  91  67  95 /  40  20  20   0
Albuquerque Heights.............  67  92  69  95 /  30  10  20   5
Albuquerque Valley..............  66  95  68  98 /  30  10  20   5
Albuquerque West Mesa...........  67  93  69  95 /  30  10  30   5
Belen...........................  65  94  67  97 /  20  10  20   0
Bernalillo......................  66  93  68  96 /  40  20  30   5
Bosque Farms....................  63  93  65  96 /  30  10  20   0
Corrales........................  66  94  68  97 /  40  10  30   5
Los Lunas.......................  63  94  65  97 /  20  10  20   0
Placitas........................  66  89  67  92 /  40  30  20   0
Rio Rancho......................  67  93  68  96 /  40  10  30   5
Socorro.........................  69  95  71  99 /  20   5   5   5
Sandia Park/Cedar Crest.........  61  85  62  89 /  30  40  20   0
Tijeras.........................  61  86  63  90 /  30  40  20   0
Edgewood........................  59  88  59  91 /  30  20  20   0
Moriarty/Estancia...............  55  90  55  93 /  20  20  10   0
Clines Corners..................  58  85  59  88 /  20  20  10   0
Mountainair.....................  59  88  60  91 /  20  20   5   0
Gran Quivira....................  59  86  61  90 /  20  10   5   0
Carrizozo.......................  65  87  67  92 /  20  50  10   0
Ruidoso.........................  59  81  60  86 /  20  60  20  20
Capulin.........................  58  88  59  91 /  10   5  10  30
Raton...........................  56  92  57  94 /  10  10  20  30
Springer........................  59  93  59  96 /  10  10  10  20
Las Vegas.......................  58  87  58  90 /  20  20  20   0
Clayton.........................  66  97  67 100 /  10   0   5   5
Roy.............................  63  91  64  94 /  10   0   5   5
Conchas.........................  68 100  69 103 /  10   0   5   0
Santa Rosa......................  65  95  67  98 /  10   0   5   5
Tucumcari.......................  70 102  71 104 /  10   0   0   0
Clovis..........................  69 100  69 102 /   5   0   0   0
Portales........................  70 101  70 103 /   5   0   0   0
Fort Sumner.....................  69  99  69 102 /   5   0   0   0
Roswell.........................  72 101  71 104 /   5   0   0   0
Picacho.........................  65  93  65  97 /  10  10   5   5
Elk.............................  62  89  61  93 /  10  10   5   5

&&

.ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch until 9 PM MDT this evening for NMZ201-202-205-208-
209.

Flood Watch until 6 PM MDT this evening for NMZ226.

Flood Watch Wednesday afternoon for NMZ226.

&&

SHORT TERM...16
LONG TERM....16
AVIATION...34

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 21, 2:20 PM MDT, 5 hours 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
220 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0218 PM     Flash Flood      1 SSE Gallup            35.51N 108.73W
07/21/2026                   McKinley           NM   Emergency Mngr

            Water on ground flood of Rehoboth McKinley
            Christian Hospital and the wellness center
            across the street.

&&

34
Local storm report, Jul 21, 2:27 PM MDT, 4 hours 58 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
227 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0227 PM     Flash Flood      Zuni Pueblo             35.07N 108.85W
07/21/2026                   McKinley           NM   Emergency Mngr

            Evacuations ongoing along Old Gallup Rod,
            St. Anthony Road and Chavez Circle due to
            flash flooding.

&&

34
Special weather statement, Jul 21, 3:27 PM MDT, 3 hours 58 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
327 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026

NMZ201-204-212200-
Northwest Plateau NM-Northwest Highlands NM-
327 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN SAN JUAN COUNTY
UNTIL 4 PM MDT...

At 327 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles north of Chaco Canyon, or 35 miles south of Bloomfield, moving
northwest at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 45 mph and half inch size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible. Hail may accumulate on roadways causing hazardous
         travel.

Locations impacted include...
  Mainly rural areas of Southeastern San Juan County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

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.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3639 10796 3621 10775 3608 10799 3617 10839
      3636 10832 3651 10811
TIME...MOT...LOC 2127Z 123DEG 22KT 3621 10802

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Shoemake
Local storm report, Jul 21, 3:57 PM MDT, 3 hours 28 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
357 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0245 PM     Flash Flood      2 WNW Gallup            35.53N 108.76W
07/21/2026                   McKinley           NM   Broadcast Media

            Marshalls parking lot flooded near US 491
            and West Lincoln Ave. At least calf-high
            water throughout the parking lot.

&&

34
Special weather statement, Jul 21, 4:48 PM MDT, 2 hours 37 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
448 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026

NMZ203-212315-
Far Northwest Highlands NM-
448 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN RIO ARRIBA COUNTY
UNTIL 515 PM MDT...

At 448 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 14
miles west of Heron Lake State Park, or 18 miles southwest of Dulce,
moving north at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 45 mph, heavy rain, and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible. Hail may accumulate on roadways causing hazardous
         travel.

Locations impacted include...
  Dulce.

This includes Highway 64 between Mile Markers 105 and 127.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3663 10707 3665 10732 3692 10738 3692 10700
TIME...MOT...LOC 2248Z 182DEG 14KT 3673 10721

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Shoemake
Special weather statement, Jul 21, 5:24 PM MDT, 2 hours 1 minute before
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The office that day

Everything else NWS Albuquerque, NM issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 22, 12:07 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQSandoval3 hr
Jul 22, 2:07 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQMcKinley, San Juan4 hr
Jul 22, 2:40 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningABQCibola3 hr
Jul 22, 3:33 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQCibola42 min
Jul 22, 3:54 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQRio Arriba5 hr
Jul 22, 3:57 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQCibola3 hr
Jul 22, 4:01 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatABQMcKinley3 hr
Jul 22, 4:06 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQSanta Fe2 hr
Jul 22, 4:30 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQSanta Fe3 hr
Jul 22, 4:40 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningABQMcKinley3 hr
Jul 22, 5:02 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatABQMcKinley3 hr
Jul 22, 5:08 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQSandoval3 hr
Jul 22, 5:41 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQRio Arriba, Sandoval, San Juan32 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in New Mexico, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

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.