Alert archive / New Mexico / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 27, NWS Midland/Odessa, TX
NWS Midland/Odessa, TX issued this flash flood warning at May 21, 2026, 4:16 PM MDT for Lea 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 outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- May 21, 2026, 4:16 PM MDT (22:16 UTC)
- Expired
- May 21, 2026, 7:15 PM MDT
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Midland/Odessa, TX
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
County Lea County, NM
The radar
The Lubbock radar (KLBB), 132 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:18 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.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
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
Midland Regional, TX (KMAF), launched 12:00Z, 10.3 hours before the alert went out and 176 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
- 1423 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -25 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 551 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 28 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 131 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 144 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.6
- Supercell composite
- 4.3
The text
As transmitted.
838
WGUS54 KMAF 212216
FFWMAF
NMC025-220115-
/O.NEW.KMAF.FF.W.0027.260521T2216Z-260522T0115Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
416 PM MDT Thu May 21 2026
The National Weather Service in Midland/Odessa has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Northeastern Lea County in southeastern New Mexico...
* Until 715 PM MDT.
* At 416 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of
rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are
possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected
to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
drainage and low-lying areas.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Gladiola.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
&&
LAT...LON 3323 10306 3321 10327 3334 10330 3336 10330
3348 10306
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
131 follow-up statement
683
WGUS74 KMAF 212338
FFSMAF
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
538 PM MDT Thu May 21 2026
NMC025-220115-
/O.CON.KMAF.FF.W.0027.000000T0000Z-260522T0115Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lea NM-
538 PM MDT Thu May 21 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM MDT THIS
EVENING FOR NORTHEASTERN LEA COUNTY...
At 538 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy
rain had moved east beyond the area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain
have fallen. Flooding impacts will continue, but little to no
additional rainfall is expected.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
drainage and low-lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Gladiola.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
&&
LAT...LON 3323 10306 3321 10327 3334 10330 3336 10330
3348 10306
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
13What 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 Midland/Odessa, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at May 21, 1:42 PM MDT, 2 hours 34 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Updated at 242 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026
- Isolated to scattered showers/storms continue through this evening across the Permian Basin and Lower Trans Pecos. A storm or two may be strong to severe, posing a threat for localized flash flooding, damaging winds, and large hail.
- Daily afternoon/evening storm chances through next week, with locally heavy rainfall possible.
Area forecast discussion, May 21, 1:42 PM MDT, 2 hours 34 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 242 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026 ...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 242 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026 - Isolated to scattered showers/storms continue through this evening across the Permian Basin and Lower Trans Pecos. A storm or two may be strong to severe, posing a threat for localized flash flooding, damaging winds, and large hail. - Daily afternoon/evening storm chances through next week, with locally heavy rainfall possible. && .SHORT TERM... (This afternoon through Friday night) Issued at 242 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026 Rain chances remain in the forecast during the Short Term period. A few storms have developed over the Permian Basin ahead of a dryline extending from eastern NM south toward the Big Bend. Some of these may produce large hail, damaging winds, and localized flash flooding. Storm activity gradually begins to diminish and shift eastward this evening, with rain chances mostly ending around, or just after midnight. Temperatures then slip into the 50s and 60s tonight. Friday afternoon, the dryline sets up within the western Permian Basin, extending down toward the Big Bend. Meanwhile, additional shortwave impulses will continue to pass over our region, embedded within a large-scale trough over the western US. As such, isolated shower/storm development will be possible over the eastern Permian Basin and the Lower Trans Pecos, where rain chances range from 10- 20%. Given drier conditions and sunnier skies overall, temperatures Friday afternoon are generally expected to top out in the upper 80s to mid 90s. Overnight lows again range within he 50s to 60s, with 60s being more prevalent than the night before. && .LONG TERM... (Saturday through Wednesday) Issued at 242 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026 Upper level troughing persists over the western and central US at the start of the Long Term period. Sunday into Monday, a closed low develops within the mid levels and sets up over Texas. Several rounds of shortwave impulses look to traverse over our area through the next few days. At the surface, the dryline also looks to oscillate near to within our region through at least the middle of next week. Lift from both the shortwaves and along the dryline shall combine with moisture ahead of the dryline to support at least isolated shower/storm development most afternoons. Storm development and location will depend on collocation of forcing from shortwaves and the dryline. As such, there remains high uncertainty regarding forecast rainfall totals and the potential for severe weather heading into the upcoming week. Temperatures are progged to range within the 80s to 90s across the region each afternoon, then dip into the 50s and 60s during the overnight hours. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 242 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026 Scattered TS is currently moving east of the terminals though more is expected to develop later this afternoon. Only enough confidence for PROB30 at MAF/FST though TS is also possible at INK and PEQ. Expect mostly SHRA/TS with LTG and gusty and erratic winds the main threats. IFR/MVFR conditions have either become VFR or will become VFR very shortly and should remain VFR outside of any showers. Light mist lowering VIS to 3-5SM is possible near 12Z but not included in the forecast due to low confidence. Hennig && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Big Spring 59 90 61 85 / 30 20 20 30 Carlsbad 58 93 59 91 / 10 0 0 10 Dryden 63 90 65 87 / 20 20 10 50 Fort Stockton 61 91 63 89 / 20 10 10 30 Guadalupe Pass 58 82 60 83 / 10 0 0 10 Hobbs 55 91 57 87 / 20 0 0 20 Marfa 49 84 52 82 / 20 0 10 40 Midland Intl Airport 60 90 63 86 / 20 0 10 20 Odessa 60 90 63 86 / 20 0 10 20 Wink 59 93 62 90 / 20 0 0 10 && .MAF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... TX...None. NM...None. && SHORT TERM...95 LONG TERM....95 AVIATION...10
In the hours before
Special weather statement, May 21, 11:59 AM MDT, 4 hours 17 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
1259 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026
TXZ051-052-062-063-211845-
Midland TX-Martin TX-Glasscock TX-Howard TX-
1259 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN GLASSCOCK...
NORTHEASTERN MIDLAND...SOUTHEASTERN MARTIN AND SOUTHWESTERN HOWARD
COUNTIES THROUGH 145 PM CDT...
At 1258 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Stanton, or 8 miles north of Greenwood, moving southeast at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Big Spring, Stanton, Lomax, Courtney, Big Spring McMahon-Wrinkle
Airpark, Stanton Municipal Aiport, and Elbow.
This includes Interstate 20 between mile markers 148 and 182.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3213 10197 3244 10176 3230 10137 3190 10178
TIME...MOT...LOC 1758Z 303DEG 11KT 3214 10189
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
95Special weather statement, May 21, 12:49 PM MDT, 3 hours 27 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 149 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026 TXZ069-211915- Upton TX- 149 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN UPTON COUNTY THROUGH 215 PM CDT... At 149 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over McCamey, moving east at 20 mph. HAZARD...Nickel size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations impacted include... McCamey, Rankin, Upton County Airport, and King Mountain. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. && LAT...LON 3108 10195 3109 10229 3129 10230 3129 10192 TIME...MOT...LOC 1849Z 268DEG 17KT 3111 10221 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH 10
Special weather statement, May 21, 1:08 PM MDT, 3 hours 8 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
208 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026
TXZ069-211945-
Upton TX-
208 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN UPTON COUNTY
THROUGH 245 PM CDT...
At 208 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 18
miles east of Crane, moving east 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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northeastern Upton
County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3140 10215 3153 10218 3165 10192 3141 10182
TIME...MOT...LOC 1908Z 251DEG 9KT 3149 10207
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
10Special weather statement, May 21, 1:29 PM MDT, 2 hours 47 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
229 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026
TXZ075-212000-
Pecos TX-
229 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL PECOS COUNTY THROUGH 300
PM CDT...
At 229 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15
miles east of Fort Stockton, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of central Pecos
County.
This includes Interstate 10 between mile markers 271 and 291.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3079 10267 3096 10272 3107 10244 3082 10232
TIME...MOT...LOC 1929Z 254DEG 15KT 3090 10262
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
10Special weather statement, May 21, 2:07 PM MDT, 2 hours 9 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
307 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026
TXZ075-212045-
Pecos TX-
307 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL PECOS COUNTY
THROUGH 345 PM CDT...
At 307 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles southwest of McCamey, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Bakersfield.
This includes Interstate 10 between mile markers 291 and 304.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3086 10236 3103 10242 3104 10229 3103 10227
3104 10224 3103 10221 3100 10219 3101 10218
3100 10215 3089 10215
TIME...MOT...LOC 2007Z 259DEG 12KT 3100 10233
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
10Special weather statement, May 21, 3:52 PM MDT, 24 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
352 PM MDT Thu May 21 2026
NMZ029-212230-
Northern Lea County NM-
352 PM MDT Thu May 21 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN LEA COUNTY THROUGH
430 PM MDT...
At 352 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Tatum, moving northeast at 15 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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Tatum, Gladiola, and Tatum Airport.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3326 10306 3315 10326 3326 10340 3342 10319
3343 10305
TIME...MOT...LOC 2152Z 223DEG 12KT 3324 10325
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
13The office that day
Everything else NWS Midland/Odessa, TX issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 4:05 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MAF | Lea | 55 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.