Alert archive / New Mexico / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 65, NWS Albuquerque, NM
NWS Albuquerque, NM issued this flash flood warning at Jul 25, 2026, 2:33 PM MDT for McKinley County, New Mexico. It was in force for 3 hr. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Jul 25, 2026, 2:33 PM MDT (20:33 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 25, 2026, 5:24 PM MDT
- In force
- 3 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), 184 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:33 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.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 25, 3:27 PM MDT | FLASH FLOOD | Zuni Pueblo, NM | Water over roadways; Lakeside Rd and West Sandy Springs Rd. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 54 minutes after it went out.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The nearest sounding before it
Phoenix, AZ (KPSR), launched 12:00Z, 8.6 hours before the alert went out and 341 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 117 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -320 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 3138 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 22 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 21 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 109 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.1
The text
As transmitted.
446
WGUS55 KABQ 252033
FFWABQ
NMC031-252330-
/O.NEW.KABQ.FF.W.0065.260725T2033Z-260725T2330Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
233 PM MDT Sat Jul 25 2026
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Southwestern McKinley County in west central New Mexico...
* Until 530 PM MDT.
* At 233 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.25 and 0.5 inches of
rain have fallen between Zuni and Black Rock. Additional rainfall
amounts of 0.5 to 1 inch are possible in the warned area. Flash
flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
flash flooding.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Zuni Pueblo and Black Rock.
Areas along Old Gallup Road, Sandy Springs Road, and Lakeside Drive
in northeast Zuni Pueblo will be most vulnerable to flash flooding.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Arroyos, streams, and normally dry rivers can become raging killer
currents in a matter of minutes. Water in arroyos can travel many
miles and take hours to reach your location from upstream rain areas.
&&
LAT...LON 3511 10885 3510 10888 3508 10890 3505 10890
3503 10887 3503 10884 3504 10879 3507 10876
3511 10878
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
$$
MA2 follow-up statements
133
WGUS75 KABQ 252118
FFSABQ
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
318 PM MDT Sat Jul 25 2026
NMC031-252330-
/O.CON.KABQ.FF.W.0065.000000T0000Z-260725T2330Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
McKinley NM-
318 PM MDT Sat Jul 25 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM MDT THIS
AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHWESTERN MCKINLEY COUNTY...
At 318 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy
rain across the warned area. Between 0.25 and 0.5 inches of rain have
fallen between Zuni Pueblo and Black Rock. Additional rainfall
amounts up to 0.25 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash
flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
flash flooding.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban
areas, highways, streets and underpasses.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Zuni Pueblo and Black Rock.
Areas along Old Gallup Road, Sandy Springs Road, and Lakeside Drive
in northeast Zuni Pueblo will be most vulnerable to potential flash
flooding impacts.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Arroyos, streams, and normally dry rivers can become raging killer
currents in a matter of minutes. Water in arroyos can travel many
miles and take hours to reach your location from upstream rain areas.
&&
LAT...LON 3511 10885 3510 10888 3508 10890 3505 10890
3503 10887 3503 10884 3504 10879 3507 10876
3511 10878
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
$$
MA345
WGUS75 KABQ 252324
FFSABQ
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
524 PM MDT Sat Jul 25 2026
NMC031-252334-
/O.CAN.KABQ.FF.W.0065.000000T0000Z-260725T2330Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
McKinley NM-
524 PM MDT Sat Jul 25 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHWESTERN MCKINLEY
COUNTY...
Thunderstorms with heavy rain have ended and moved out of the area.
Flash flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please
continue to heed any remaining road closures.
A Flood Watch remains in effect until 900 PM MDT.
&&
LAT...LON 3511 10885 3510 10888 3508 10890 3505 10890
3503 10887 3503 10884 3504 10879 3507 10876
3511 10878
$$
MAWhat 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 25, 1:22 PM MDT, 1 hour 11 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Updated at 100 PM MDT Sat Jul 25 2026
- There is a moderate to high risk of flash flooding from slow moving thunderstorms over portions of central and western NM through this weekend.
- Moderate to major heat risk will impact lower elevations of central and eastern New Mexico over the next seven days with high temperatures in the upper 90s to low 100s.
- Daily rounds of afternoon thunderstorms with frequent lightning, gusty winds, small hail, and localized heavy rainfall continues at varying coverages over the next seven days.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 25, 1:22 PM MDT, 1 hour 11 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 122 PM MDT Sat Jul 25 2026 ...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, FIRE WEATHER... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 100 PM MDT Sat Jul 25 2026 - There is a moderate to high risk of flash flooding from slow moving thunderstorms over portions of central and western NM through this weekend. - Moderate to major heat risk will impact lower elevations of central and eastern New Mexico over the next seven days with high temperatures in the upper 90s to low 100s. - Daily rounds of afternoon thunderstorms with frequent lightning, gusty winds, small hail, and localized heavy rainfall continues at varying coverages over the next seven days. && .SHORT TERM... (This evening through Sunday night) Issued at 100 PM MDT Sat Jul 25 2026 The latest water vapor imagery and GOES derived winds shows deep moisture draped across NM with the center of the monsoon high near the Four Corners. The 18Z KABQ PWAT was 1.32" (just below the daily record of 1.39" from 1968) with slow steering flow toward the west and northwest. Showers and storms have developed over the higher terrain and will continue expanding thru the afternoon. Abundant moisture and instability with slow-moving storms will elevate the risk for flash flooding, especially in areas that have received recent heavy rains. The Flood Watch was expanded to include the Middle and Lower RGV westward into the watch that was already in effect. Rainfall rates in excess of 2"/hour are expected with the stronger cells, along with strong downburst wind gusts, small hail, and frequent lightning strikes. Several CAMs show storms tapering off to showers thru late evening as an MCV feature rolls northwest across central NM. Storm placement Sunday is still likely to be focused over northern and western NM, however the coverage is more uncertain. The monsoon high will refocus over northeast NM Sunday and strengthen to near 599dm. H5 temps warm to near -3C over a larger area of central and eastern NM with H7 temps between +18 and +22C. The remnant MCV near west-central NM may amount to no more than persistent cloud cover Sunday morning, which could limit coverage from less instability, or, delay storms until later in the day. Areas surrounding the cloud shield may erupt again by early to mid afternoon as long as updrafts can overcome very warm mid level temps. The 12Z NAM and RRFS show the central mt chain westward favored for the heavier QPF Sunday, including the Ruidoso area. However, the HREF & REFS 6-hour LPMM QPFs and NBM90th percentile QPF show an overall downtrend in the heavier rainfall footprints Sunday. There are several conflicting factors that do not warrant a Flood Watch at this time so latest trends in 00Z/06Z guidance will be helpful to improve confidence. && .LONG TERM... (Monday through Friday) Issued at 100 PM MDT Sat Jul 25 2026 Monday thru Friday will feature a typical late July monsoon pattern with the upper level high migrating westward across northern NM to the Four Corners region by late week. Daily rounds of showers and storms will develop over the higher terrain then move into nearby lowlands on convective outflows. High PWATs and slow storm motion will still allow for locally heavy rainfall amounts >1.5". Northern and western NM will be favored in this pattern with differences in the overall coverage and intensity varying from day to day. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1120 AM MDT Sat Jul 25 2026 SHRA/TS will form over the high terrain thru 2pm today then move erratically north and west into nearby lowlands thru this evening. Direct hits will produce IFR/MVFR vsbys in heavy rain, outflow wind gusts >35KT, and frequent lightning strikes. The main focus today will stretch along and west of the central mt chain. Showers are likely to persist thru 2am across western NM with partial clearing elsewhere. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 100 PM MDT Sat Jul 25 2026 There are no critical fire weather concerns for the foreseeable future. Patchy dry fuels across the region may still lead to new fire starts from lightning strikes. A typical monsoon pattern will focus the greatest chances for locally heavy rainfall across the northern and western high terrain thru late next week. Storms will form over the high terrain each day then move erratically into nearby lowlands thru the afternoon and evening. Small footprints with rainfall amounts of 1 to 2" may create flash flooding. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Farmington...................... 68 97 68 97 / 30 20 20 5 Dulce........................... 55 94 55 94 / 30 60 20 50 Cuba............................ 61 90 61 91 / 30 30 30 20 Gallup.......................... 60 90 60 91 / 50 60 20 20 El Morro........................ 59 86 59 87 / 60 60 30 30 Grants.......................... 61 91 62 92 / 60 40 30 20 Quemado......................... 60 87 61 87 / 70 50 30 20 Magdalena....................... 67 89 66 91 / 30 40 20 10 Datil........................... 62 85 62 86 / 50 50 20 30 Reserve......................... 60 93 59 94 / 40 50 20 40 Glenwood........................ 64 98 63 98 / 40 30 20 40 Chama........................... 54 86 54 86 / 20 60 20 70 Los Alamos...................... 67 91 68 92 / 20 20 30 30 Pecos........................... 60 91 61 92 / 30 20 20 30 Cerro/Questa.................... 61 89 60 89 / 10 30 40 50 Red River....................... 53 84 53 84 / 10 40 40 70 Angel Fire...................... 50 85 51 85 / 10 40 30 60 Taos............................ 59 92 59 92 / 20 20 30 30 Mora............................ 58 90 59 90 / 20 30 20 60 Espanola........................ 67 98 67 98 / 20 10 30 10 Santa Fe........................ 66 91 67 92 / 20 10 20 10 Santa Fe Airport................ 64 94 65 95 / 20 10 20 5 Albuquerque Foothills........... 71 98 72 99 / 40 5 20 5 Albuquerque Heights............. 68 99 69 100 / 30 5 20 0 Albuquerque Valley.............. 68 100 68 102 / 30 0 20 0 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 70 98 71 100 / 30 0 20 0 Belen........................... 68 99 68 101 / 20 5 20 0 Bernalillo...................... 69 100 70 101 / 30 5 20 0 Bosque Farms.................... 66 98 67 100 / 20 5 20 0 Corrales........................ 69 100 70 101 / 30 5 20 0 Los Lunas....................... 68 98 68 100 / 20 0 20 0 Placitas........................ 69 96 70 97 / 30 5 20 5 Rio Rancho...................... 69 99 70 100 / 30 5 20 0 Socorro......................... 73 101 73 103 / 30 10 10 0 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 64 91 65 93 / 40 10 20 5 Tijeras......................... 63 94 65 96 / 40 10 20 5 Edgewood........................ 60 95 61 97 / 40 10 20 10 Moriarty/Estancia............... 58 95 59 96 / 30 10 20 5 Clines Corners.................. 60 90 61 91 / 20 10 20 10 Mountainair..................... 61 93 61 95 / 30 10 10 10 Gran Quivira.................... 63 91 63 93 / 30 10 10 5 Carrizozo....................... 68 94 69 97 / 20 10 5 5 Ruidoso......................... 64 87 64 89 / 20 30 5 30 Capulin......................... 60 93 60 92 / 5 10 20 40 Raton........................... 59 98 59 97 / 5 10 20 30 Springer........................ 61 99 61 98 / 5 5 20 20 Las Vegas....................... 60 93 61 93 / 20 10 20 20 Clayton......................... 69 101 70 103 / 0 0 5 5 Roy............................. 65 95 65 96 / 5 0 10 0 Conchas......................... 70 103 70 105 / 5 0 10 0 Santa Rosa...................... 66 98 67 99 / 5 0 10 0 Tucumcari....................... 72 103 72 105 / 10 0 0 0 Clovis.......................... 69 100 69 103 / 10 0 0 0 Portales........................ 70 101 70 103 / 10 0 0 0 Fort Sumner..................... 70 100 71 103 / 5 0 0 0 Roswell......................... 74 102 74 105 / 5 0 0 0 Picacho......................... 68 96 68 99 / 10 10 5 10 Elk............................. 65 93 65 96 / 5 20 5 20 && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch until 9 PM MDT this evening for NMZ202-204>209-219- 220-241. Flood Watch until 6 PM MDT this evening for NMZ226. && SHORT TERM...42 LONG TERM....42 AVIATION...42
The office that day
Everything else NWS Albuquerque, NM issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 6:16 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | ABQ | Bernalillo | 29 min |
| Jul 24, 6:20 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | ABQ | Bernalillo, Torrance, Valencia | 2 hr |
| Jul 24, 6:28 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | ABQ | De Baca | 32 min |
| Jul 24, 6:33 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | ABQ | Roosevelt | 27 min |
| Jul 24, 6:38 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ABQ | Sandoval | 3 hr |
| Jul 24, 7:00 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | ABQ | Chaves | 30 min |
| Jul 24, 7:32 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | ABQ | 28 min | |
| Jul 24, 7:36 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ABQ | Chaves | 3 hr |
| Jul 24, 8:42 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ABQ | Roosevelt | 3 hr |
| Jul 25, 1:53 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ABQ | Lincoln | 3 hr |
| Jul 25, 2:30 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | ABQ | McKinley | 2 hr |
| Jul 25, 2:48 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | ABQ | Lincoln | 2 hr |
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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.