The first real sign of monsoon moisture in nearly two weeks seeped northward into New Mexico. The combination of strong afternoon heating, shallow low-level moisture, and stronger westerly winds aloft resulted in isolated severe thunderstorms over portions of the area.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS ABQ wrote it up.
The first real sign of monsoon moisture in nearly two weeks seeped northward into New Mexico. The combination of strong afternoon heating, shallow low-level moisture, and stronger westerly winds aloft resulted in isolated severe thunderstorms over portions of the area. Most areas around the Rio Grande Valley reported gusty outflow winds from dry storm activity. The Santa Fe airport reported a peak wind gust to 58 mph. Moisture was deep enough across the far eastern plains to produce some locally heavy rainfall and large hail. Half dollar size hail and minor flooding was reported around Clovis.
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jul 15, 11:07 AM MST, 1 hour 37 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 1207 PM MDT FRI JUL 15 2016 .AVIATION... 18Z TAF CYCLE Last night's relatively moist easterly push toward the Continental Divide supporting a noticeable uptick in thunderstorm coverage across the higher terrain of western and northern NM, though still sub- par for the season. While best moisture and instability will remain focused across northeast and east-central areas of the state, where a few strong to severe storms expected capable of large hail and gusts to 50kt, we cannot rule out isolated impacts elsewhere. Included VCTS placeholders at KLVS, KTCC and KROW where highest confidence exists and VCSH for remaining terminals save for KGUP and KFMN where the influence of the drier air mass will be most pronounced. Storm motions will generally be toward the east-southeast at 10-15kts except near 30-35kts across the northeast. Outside SHRA/TSRA activity, VFR conditions expected to dominate through period. KJ && .PREV DISCUSSION...331 AM MDT FRI JUL 15 2016... .SYNOPSIS... High pressure aloft will stay over New Mexico today, but at the surface, a front has slid in from the northeast. This front has pushed toward the continental divide and brought some moisture into the eastern and central parts of the state. This will continue to bring to isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms for some eastern sections of the state throughout the day with a few strong to severe storms possible again. Temperatures will run just a few degrees cooler, but still quite hot and above average in many locations. Storms will be fairly sparse and isolated on Saturday, generally confined close to the south central and southwestern mountains of New Mexico. Temperatures will rise a couple degrees on Saturday and possibly another couple degrees on Sunday as high pressure becomes a bit stronger. && .DISCUSSION... Storms have been strong to severe over parts of the northeast highlands of NM early this morning, but the latest trends seem to lean towards weakening. Have left some isolated POPs in the east through the morning with an expected re-initiation over the central mountain chain early this afternoon as the atmosphere destabilizes again. The eastern plains will also likely see scattered coverage of storms late this afternoon and into the early evening with residual outflow boundaries from ongoing activity potentially being the triggers. With surface winds veering southerly in the plains and northwest flow aloft persisting, sufficient directional shear will be present for a few strong to severe cells again. Temperatures will run close to average in the far northeast corner of the state, but elsewhere readings will run a few to several degrees above average for mid July. On Saturday, the upper high will remain broadly anchored across NM and surrounding areas. Surface flow will be westerly in much of the forecast area with a south southwest component in the plains. This will keep the best low layer moisture in the far east, but storms would likely have to rely on orographical aides to initiate. Have built isolated POPs over the southwestern and south central mountains with lower prospects elsewhere. Temperatures would respond upward a couple degrees as pressure heights rise. On Sunday high pressure extends along a west-east axis with the western periphery still holding a grip on NM. This could steer some modest subtropical moisture into southwestern NM, but the chances for storms will overall be fairly minimized. Temperatures will be fairly comparable to Saturday's readings, perhaps just a degree or two higher in some locales. Into next week the high becomes more concentric and picks up strength over the central plains of the CONUS, steering some subtropical moisture into AZ and far western NM. 52 && .FIRE WEATHER... Surface boundary has pushed into the RGV with localized gusts of 35 to 45 mph. Winds expected to diminish after sunrise. Low level moisture which was transported westward with the boundary to mix out later today, but may linger long enough to produce isolated dry convection with gusty winds between the contdvd and the central mt chain. Ongoing convection in the east likely sparked by the westward moving boundary may slowly diminish through the early morning then reignite this afternoon. Movement of the current storms somewhat unpredictable but generally south to southeast, and forecast models suggest movement this afternoon and evening will be to the east and southeast. While low level moisture will slosh around in the east the next day or two, the current intrusion looks to be the most significant for the next several days. Dew points slowly dry out again from the central mt chain westward, leading to mainly poor overnight RH recoveries central and west through Sunday night. High temperatures will continue to be above average, and chances for wetting rain will diminish after this evening. There will be potential for isolated dry convection west central and southwest Saturday and Sunday. The upper high center is forecast to drift slowly to the east and north this weekend and early next week. This may allow moisture to migrate into western and northern New Mexico but any influx may be short lived and not up to monsoon standards. By late next week, the upper high center shifts westward, cutting off any moisture tap. A backdoor cold front may bring temporarily better chances for rainfall to the east late next week. && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. &&
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM 509 AM MDT FRI JUL 15 2016 NMZ501>540-161200- NORTHWEST PLATEAU-CHUSKA MOUNTAINS-FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS- NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS-WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU-WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS- WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS-SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS- SAN FRANCISCO RIVER VALLEY-SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS-JEMEZ MOUNTAINS- WEST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS- NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTOS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER- SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTOS ABOVE 9500 FEET- EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS-UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY- LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY-SANTA FE METRO AREA- MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY/ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA- LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY-SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS-ESTANCIA VALLEY- CENTRAL HIGHLANDS-SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS-UPPER TULAROSA VALLEY- SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS-RATON RIDGE/JOHNSON MESA- FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS-NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS-UNION COUNTY- HARDING COUNTY-EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY-GUADALUPE COUNTY- QUAY COUNTY-CURRY COUNTY-ROOSEVELT COUNTY-DE BACA COUNTY- CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS-EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY-SOUTHWEST CHAVES COUNTY- 509 AM MDT FRI JUL 15 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL NEW MEXICO. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT SUFFICIENT MOISTURE AND INSTABILITY WILL BE PRESENT OVER THE EASTERN PLAINS TODAY FOR SCATTERED STORMS...SOME OF WHICH WILL BECOME STRONG TO SEVERE. LARGE HAIL...GUSTY DOWNBURST WINDS...AND HEAVY DOWNPOURS WILL BE THE PRIMARY THREATS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY ADDITIONAL STORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE THIS WEEKEND AND INTO NEXT WEEK WITH ACTIVITY FAVORING THE SOUTHWESTERN AND SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS INITIALLY WITH MORE COVERAGE GRADUALLY INCREASING IN WESTERN NEW MEXICO. ALL STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HEAVY DOWNPOURS...GUSTY WINDS...AND SMALL HAIL. WEATHER CAN CHANGE VERY RAPIDLY. ALWAYS USE THE LATEST FORECASTS...WATCHES AND WARNING FOR PLANNING PURPOSES. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT ANY SEVERE WEATHER THROUGH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE WEB SITE AT WEATHER.GOV/ABQ OR BY CALLING 1.888.386.7637. YOU CAN ALSO SUBMIT STORM REPORTS AND PHOTOS ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE OR VIA TWITTER USING THE HASHTAG NMWX. 52
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM
1217 PM MDT FRI JUL 15 2016
NMZ511-518-151845-
JEMEZ MOUNTAINS-SANTA FE METRO AREA-
1217 PM MDT FRI JUL 15 2016
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN LOS ALAMOS AND EAST
CENTRAL SANDOVAL COUNTIES UNTIL 1245 PM MDT...
AT 1217 PM MDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 6
MILES WEST OF FRIJOLES...OR 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF LOS ALAMOS...MOVING
SOUTH AT 20 MPH.
NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM.
HEAVY RAIN WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT...COCHITI PUEBLO...FRIJOLES...
COCHITI LAKE AND PENA BLANCA.
IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES YOUR AREA...TAKE SHELTER IN A
STURDY BUILDING.
&&
LAT...LON 3585 10625 3583 10624 3555 10629 3562 10661
3590 10645
TIME...MOT...LOC 1817Z 015DEG 16KT 3581 10638
54SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM
1229 PM MDT FRI JUL 15 2016
NMZ515-529-151900-
NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS-EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS-
1229 PM MDT FRI JUL 15 2016
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY
UNTIL 100 PM MDT...
AT 1229 PM MDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM
NEAR EL PORVENIR...OR 9 MILES NORTHWEST OF LAS VEGAS...MOVING EAST
AT 10 MPH.
PENNY SIZE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM.
HEAVY RAIN WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
LAS VEGAS...MONTEZUMA...SAPELLO...EL PORVENIR...
STORRIE LAKE STATE PARK...GALLINAS AND MANUELITAS.
THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 25 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 344 AND 362.
FREQUENT DANGEROUS 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.
IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES YOUR AREA...TAKE SHELTER IN A
STURDY BUILDING.
THIS STORM MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR YOUR PREFERRED
MEDIA OUTLETS AND NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND
POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
&&
LAT...LON 3576 10503 3575 10503 3576 10502 3575 10498
3552 10515 3565 10542 3583 10534
TIME...MOT...LOC 1829Z 291DEG 10KT 3572 10531
54SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM 121 PM MDT FRI JUL 15 2016 NMZ527-528-530-151945- UNION COUNTY-RATON RIDGE/JOHNSON MESA-FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS- 121 PM MDT FRI JUL 15 2016 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL UNION AND EAST CENTRAL COLFAX COUNTIES UNTIL 145 PM MDT... AT 120 PM MDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 14 MILES NORTHWEST OF FARLEY...OR 24 MILES NORTHEAST OF SPRINGER...MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH. NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. HEAVY RAIN WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. THIS STORM WILL REMAIN OVER MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF WEST CENTRAL UNION AND EAST CENTRAL COLFAX COUNTIES. FREQUENT DANGEROUS 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. IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES YOUR AREA...TAKE SHELTER IN A STURDY BUILDING. && LAT...LON 3644 10431 3661 10426 3658 10386 3632 10393 TIME...MOT...LOC 1920Z 283DEG 18KT 3651 10420 54
The Albuquerque radar (KABX), 82 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:46 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Santa Fe airport reported a peak wind of 58 mph.
Half dollar size hail.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, July 2016
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 637064, 637065.