Alert archive / New Mexico / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 75, NWS Albuquerque, NM

July 28, 2026Sandoval County, Santa Fe County, New Mexico

NWS Albuquerque, NM issued this flash flood warning at Jul 28, 2026, 2:10 PM MDT for Sandoval County, Santa Fe County, New Mexico. It was in force for 3 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 28, 2026, 2:10 PM MDT (20:10 UTC)
Expired
Jul 28, 2026, 5:15 PM MDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Albuquerque, NM
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Sandoval County, NM, Santa Fe County, NM

The radar

The Albuquerque radar (KABX), 62 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:10 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 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 28, 1:45 PM MDT, 25 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Updated at 143 PM MDT Tue Jul 28 2026
  • Moderate to major heat risk will impact many lower elevations of 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. Flash flooding will be possible in areas that receive multiple days of heavy rainfall or repeated rounds of thunderstorms.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 28, 1:45 PM MDT, 25 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
145 PM MDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, FIRE WEATHER...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 143 PM MDT Tue Jul 28 2026

- Moderate to major heat risk will impact many lower elevations
  of 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. Flash flooding
  will be possible in areas that receive multiple days of heavy
  rainfall or repeated rounds of thunderstorms.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Wednesday night)
Issued at 143 PM MDT Tue Jul 28 2026

The Monsoon high remains right overhead of NM today, and as such, we
are seeing both scattered to numerous thunderstorms and high
temperatures develop today. Thunderstorms have already developed
along the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and are very likely to
continue this throughout the afternoon. These storms will be slow
moving, given the orientation of the high almost directly overhead.
Given that, and PWATs remaining above 1", the Flash Flood Watch
looks good for this afternoon and evening. Of particular concern are
a few areas within the current Flash Flood Watch: the Pecos
Wilderness east of Santa Fe, northeast NM near/east of Raton, and
highly saturated/sensitive areas near Gallup and Zuni Pueblo. REFS
and HREF LPMM guidance has focused on the Pecos River area east of
Santa Fe for localized rain amounts above 2", and this already seems
to be playing out with the current Flash Flood Warning in effect as
of 1pm. This storm is also traversing down the basin, which may
compound the effects of flooding. Additionally, should this storm
drift off to the southwest, urban flooding could become a concern
near Santa Fe. In northeast NM, storms firing off the Sangre de
Cristo Mountains are expected to cluster and push to and east of
Raton through the afternoon and early evening. REFS and HREF LPMM
again ping this area for heavy rainfall amounts, though there is a
difference in the exact location of it (REFS being north of Highway
64/87, HREF being south). Nevertheless, heavy rainfall looks
increasingly likely across that area, and with the soil being
relatively dry, too much rain too quickly can cause flash flooding
issues. For the Zuni Pueblo and Gallup area, storms are once again
expected over this area, with the potential for several rounds
through 9pm, and lingering showers thereafter. These locations
remain very sensitive from previous flooding events and impacts, so
it will not take as much rainfall to produce impacts throughout that
region. Overall, the strongest thunderstorms look to taper off by
9pm, with scattered showers with embedded thunderstorms remaining
through midnight at least.

The 18z ABQ sounding shows a 500mb height of 5971m, which puts it
near the daily record 500mb height. This would be the reason for our
very hot temperatures out there. Another round of Heat Advisories
are in effect today, mainly for lower elevation areas in central,
northwest, and eastern NM. The Heat Advisory was expanded to the
Sandia and Manzano Mountains as much of the zone is forecast to hit
or exceed their criteria (95F). Due to the warm low temperatures
(mid to high 70s) across lower elevations, major to locally extreme
Heat Risk is likely for areas near Socorro and Roswell today, so
everyone will need to take precautions when spending time outdoors
today.

For Wednesday, not much changes in the overall pattern, though the
high pressure is forecast to decrease a decameter or two, therefore
lowering temperatures just a touch. Even so, high 90s to low 100s
will remain across much of the area, and moderate to major to
locally extreme Heat Risk will persist. However, at least with this
package, will not go with additional Heat Advisories tomorrow.
Temperatures are not forecast to get to criteria across most of the
area, so while there will be hot temperatures with warm low
temperatures with higher levels of Heat Risk, we will not go with an
Advisory. The message of heat safety continues though.

A shortwave looks to round the high and push through CO, producing
scattered thunderstorms across our northern areas and pushing them
off into the northeast plains. Depending on how much area that part
of the state receives today (Tuesday), future shifts may need to
consider additional Flash Flood Watches. Additionally, with the west
to northwest flow, cannot rule out a strong to severe storm rolling
off the mountains. Elsewhere, storm coverage decreases a bit
compared to today, but still expecting scattered thunderstorms,
mainly on the high terrain.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Thursday through Monday)
Issued at 143 PM MDT Tue Jul 28 2026

No significant pattern changes are forecast for the next several
days, so the overall message may sound like a broken record when
talking about storm chances and hot temperatures. Another shortwave
looks to move across CO sometime on Thursday (which may be amplified
by the MCV that was over AZ this morning) and help produce
convection along the Front Range. Scattered thunderstorms are
likely along the northern mountains into northeast NM for
Thursday. This feature then works to push the center of the high
pressure more to the west, which will work to shift the overall
flow from north to south over much of NM. In turn, thunderstorms
will favor this storm motion, and this sets the stage for folks
along and just east of the central mountain chain to see a bulk of
the precipitation, while potentially giving a reprieve to folks
in western NM that have seen consistent rain. Throughout every day
though, the hot temperatures remain with highs in the 90s to low
100s.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1137 AM MDT Tue Jul 28 2026

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are likely this
afternoon across much of New Mexico. Storms will be capable of
producing gusty winds in excess of 30kts and brief MVFR to IFR
visibilities in heavy rainfall. A few storms are already getting
going across the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as of 1730z and are
likely to continue until at least 03-06z. Most TAF sites include
PROB30s for TS impacts, outside of KGUP where confidence was high
enough for a TEMPO. Thunderstorm coverage should be on the downtrend
by 03z, but showers are likely to remain through at least 06z across
much of the area, and potentially as late as 12z across northeast
NM. Outside of thunderstorms, winds remain rather light overall, and
hot temperatures will continue to lead to high density altitudes.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 143 PM MDT Tue Jul 28 2026

No critical fire weather conditions are expected for the next
several days. Daily thunderstorm chances continue across much of the
area outside of southeast NM. Most storms will be capable of
producing frequent lightning, gusty winds, hail, and heavy rainfall.
Hot temperatures remain across the area as well, which correlates to
the forecast mixing heights remaining well above 10,000ft across a
majority of the area. Given the relatively dry nature of
eastern/northeastern NM, it is not out of the question to see a
lightning induced fire with storms that develop.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Farmington......................  69  97  68  98 /  10   5  20   0
Dulce...........................  59  93  55  93 /  50  40  50  10
Cuba............................  63  91  61  91 /  50  20  40  10
Gallup..........................  61  92  61  93 /  50  20  20  10
El Morro........................  59  88  59  89 /  60  40  20  30
Grants..........................  62  92  62  92 /  70  40  20  30
Quemado.........................  60  88  60  90 /  50  50  30  20
Magdalena.......................  66  91  68  92 /  50  20  10  40
Datil...........................  61  87  62  88 /  50  30  20  30
Reserve.........................  60  94  60  94 /  30  30  20  40
Glenwood........................  65  98  64  99 /  20  10  20  20
Chama...........................  56  86  54  86 /  50  50  60  20
Los Alamos......................  65  90  67  90 /  70  30  40  30
Pecos...........................  61  90  61  91 /  70  20  30  20
Cerro/Questa....................  58  87  59  87 /  50  50  60  20
Red River.......................  52  77  51  78 /  60  50  60  30
Angel Fire......................  51  82  49  83 /  60  50  60  30
Taos............................  59  90  58  91 /  50  30  50  20
Mora............................  58  86  57  88 /  70  50  60  40
Espanola........................  67  97  66  96 /  60  20  40  20
Santa Fe........................  65  91  66  92 /  60  10  30  10
Santa Fe Airport................  64  94  64  95 /  60  10  30   5
Albuquerque Foothills...........  70  97  71  99 /  60   5  30   5
Albuquerque Heights.............  70  98  69  99 /  60   5  20   5
Albuquerque Valley..............  71 100  68 100 /  60   5  20   5
Albuquerque West Mesa...........  71  99  71  99 /  60   5  30   5
Belen...........................  70 101  69 101 /  60   0  10   0
Bernalillo......................  70  99  70 100 /  60   5  30   5
Bosque Farms....................  70 100  67 100 /  60   5  20   0
Corrales........................  71 100  70 100 /  60   5  30   5
Los Lunas.......................  70 100  69 100 /  60   0  20   0
Placitas........................  69  96  69  97 /  60   5  30   5
Rio Rancho......................  70  99  70  99 /  60   5  30   5
Socorro.........................  73 102  74 102 /  50   5  10   5
Sandia Park/Cedar Crest.........  64  91  65  92 /  70  10  30   5
Tijeras.........................  65  92  65  94 /  70  10  30   5
Edgewood........................  63  94  62  94 /  60  10  30  10
Moriarty/Estancia...............  61  95  59  96 /  60  10  30  10
Clines Corners..................  61  90  61  92 /  50  10  20  10
Mountainair.....................  63  94  62  94 /  50  10  20  10
Gran Quivira....................  64  94  63  94 /  30   5  20  10
Carrizozo.......................  71  97  68  98 /  10   5   5  10
Ruidoso.........................  65  88  63  89 /   5  10   5  20
Capulin.........................  59  87  58  89 /  70  60  50  50
Raton...........................  59  91  58  94 /  60  70  50  60
Springer........................  61  94  59  95 /  70  60  60  50
Las Vegas.......................  59  90  59  91 /  60  30  40  40
Clayton.........................  66  96  67  99 /  60  20  40  30
Roy.............................  64  93  64  95 /  50  20  40  30
Conchas.........................  70 102  69 104 /  40   5  20   5
Santa Rosa......................  68  99  67 100 /  20   5  10  10
Tucumcari.......................  71 103  71 104 /  20   5  20   0
Clovis..........................  70 102  69 101 /   5   0   5   0
Portales........................  71 103  70 101 /   5   0   0   0
Fort Sumner.....................  72 102  70 103 /   5   0   5   0
Roswell.........................  74 103  72 104 /   0   0   0   0
Picacho.........................  69  97  67  97 /   0   0   0   5
Elk.............................  66  94  64  94 /   0   0   0   5

&&

.ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch until 9 PM MDT this evening for NMZ204>209-211>215-
218-221-227>230-241.

Heat Advisory until 7 PM MDT this evening for NMZ201-217-219>221-
234>238.

&&

SHORT TERM...77
LONG TERM....77
AVIATION...77

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 28, 12:23 PM MDT, 1 hour 47 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jul 28, 1:22 PM MDT, 48 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
122 PM MDT Tue Jul 28 2026

NMZ213-215-281945-
East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains NM-Northern Sangre de
Cristo Mountains NM-
122 PM MDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN TAOS AND WEST
CENTRAL COLFAX COUNTIES UNTIL 145 PM MDT...

At 122 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles north of Elizabethtown, or 18 miles east of Questa, moving east
at 5 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel 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.

Locations impacted include...
  Elizabethtown.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
this storm passes.

&&

LAT...LON 3663 10533 3674 10540 3688 10520 3667 10503
      3660 10531
TIME...MOT...LOC 1921Z 263DEG 5KT 3671 10527

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

24
Special weather statement, Jul 28, 1:25 PM MDT, 45 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
125 PM MDT Tue Jul 28 2026

NMZ208-241-282015-
San Agustin Plains and Adjacent Lowlands NM-Southwest Mountains
NM-
125 PM MDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL CATRON COUNTY UNTIL 215
PM MDT...

At 125 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Old Horse Springs, or 24 miles southwest of Datil, moving northwest
at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel 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.

Locations impacted include...
  Old Horse Springs.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3386 10832 3399 10850 3421 10822 3399 10794
      3382 10825
TIME...MOT...LOC 1925Z 132DEG 8KT 3394 10819

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

24
Special weather statement, Jul 28, 1:27 PM MDT, 43 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
127 PM MDT Tue Jul 28 2026

NMZ208-282000-
Southwest Mountains NM-
127 PM MDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL CATRON COUNTY
UNTIL 2 PM MDT...

At 127 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 16
miles southwest of Beaverhead, or 45 miles southeast of Reserve,
moving northwest at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel 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.

Locations impacted include...
  Mainly rural areas of South Central Catron County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3320 10840 3324 10846 3341 10827 3326 10812
      3320 10818
TIME...MOT...LOC 1927Z 132DEG 8KT 3322 10823

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

24
Special weather statement, Jul 28, 2:01 PM MDT, 9 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
201 PM MDT Tue Jul 28 2026

NMZ208-209-282030-
Southwest Mountains NM-San Francisco River Valley NM-
201 PM MDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL CATRON COUNTY UNTIL
230 PM MDT...

At 201 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Reserve, moving north at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel 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.

Locations impacted include...
  Reserve, Cruzville, Apache Creek and San Francisco Plaza.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3374 10882 3384 10888 3395 10857 3372 10857
      3366 10877
TIME...MOT...LOC 2001Z 159DEG 9KT 3373 10869

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

24

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 27, 6:04 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQTorrance26 min
Jul 27, 6:38 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQMcKinley112 min
Jul 27, 6:53 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQMora, San Miguel3 hr
Jul 27, 7:17 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQCatron118 min
Jul 27, 9:25 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQGuadalupe3 hr
Jul 28, 12:18 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQMora, San Miguel, Santa Fe39 min
Jul 28, 12:23 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQSanta Fe37 min
Jul 28, 12:46 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABQSan Miguel, Santa Fe44 min
Jul 28, 12:57 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningABQMora, San Miguel, Santa Fe3 hr
Jul 28, 1:04 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQSan Miguel3 hr
Jul 28, 1:19 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABQCatron41 min
Jul 28, 1:22 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQTaos23 min
Jul 28, 1:25 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQCatron50 min
Jul 28, 1:27 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQ33 min
Jul 28, 1:30 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABQSan Miguel, Santa Fe45 min
Jul 28, 1:33 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQSandoval3 hr
Jul 28, 1:44 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABQCatron31 min
Jul 28, 1:54 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQSanta Fe3 hr
Jul 28, 2:01 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQSanta Fe9 min
Jul 28, 2:01 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQCatron29 min
Jul 28, 2:11 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQBernalillo34 min
Jul 28, 2:13 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQCatron47 min
Jul 28, 2:18 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABQLos Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe27 min
Jul 28, 2:33 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABQCatron27 min
Jul 28, 2:37 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningABQSandoval3 hr
Jul 28, 2:43 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQLos Alamos32 min
Jul 28, 2:46 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQSanta Fe44 min
Jul 28, 2:48 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQCatron27 min
Jul 28, 2:58 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQRio Arriba3 hr
Jul 28, 2:59 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQCibola31 min
Jul 28, 3:09 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQCatron2 hr
Jul 28, 3:13 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningABQBernalillo, Sandoval, Santa Fe3 hr
Jul 28, 3:32 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQCibola28 min
Jul 28, 3:36 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQCatron3 hr
Jul 28, 3:38 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABQMcKinley37 min
Jul 28, 3:43 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQLos Alamos, Santa Fe2 hr
Jul 28, 4:00 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABQCibola, McKinley30 min
Jul 28, 4:00 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABQMcKinley30 min
Jul 28, 4:07 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatABQCatron3 hr
Jul 28, 4:13 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQMora32 min
Jul 28, 4:23 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatABQCibola, McKinley3 hr
Jul 28, 4:28 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQ47 min
Jul 28, 4:38 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningABQBernalillo3 hr
Jul 28, 4:50 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQValencia25 min
Jul 28, 4:59 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementABQMora31 min
Jul 28, 5:05 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQValencia115 min
Jul 28, 5:07 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatABQMcKinley113 min
Jul 28, 5:15 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatABQSan Miguel2 hr
Jul 28, 5:30 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryABQMcKinley2 hr
Jul 28, 5:33 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABQColfax, Mora27 min
Jul 28, 5:53 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningABQCibola, Valencia29 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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.