Unseasonably deep moisture in place over New Mexico combined with daytime heating and weak steering flow to produce slow-moving showers and thunderstorms. A cluster of storms developed near Chimayo and drifted west along State Road 76 into the area around La Puebla.
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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.
Unseasonably deep moisture in place over New Mexico combined with daytime heating and weak steering flow to produce slow-moving showers and thunderstorms. A cluster of storms developed near Chimayo and drifted west along State Road 76 into the area around La Puebla. The storm complex produced torrential rainfall southwestward across U.S. Highway 285 into the Pojoaque area. The storms continued westward along State Road 502 dropping more torrential rainfall. Public estimates indicated that near 2 inches of rain fell in just 40 minutes. Torrential rainfall prompted flash flooding around La Puebla, Pojoaque, Jacona, and Jaconita. Some residence said this was the worst flooding they have witnessed in the area. Three successful swift water rescues were performed by emergency crews. Mud and debris was noted over several roads and county roads 98 and 88 were washed out. The Pojoaque Valley arroyo north of State Road 502 was out of it's banks and washing into nearby yards and low lying areas. No significant property damage, injuries, or fatalities occurred.
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 Jun 4, 5:03 PM MST, 1 hour 7 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 603 PM MDT SAT JUN 4 2016 .AVIATION... 00Z TAF CYCLE VFR conditions expected to continue at terminals the next 24 hrs...except for brief thunderstorm related MVFR conditions until 03 or 04z and again later Sunday aftn and eve. Brief mt obscurations possible also with heavier precipitation shafts. Gusts between 30 and 45 kts possible with stronger storms. Terminal most likely to be impacted this eve is KSAF and...with a little lesser chance...KLVS and KABQ. 43 && .PREV DISCUSSION...329 PM MDT SAT JUN 4 2016... .SYNOPSIS... Despite high pressure in the upper atmosphere building in from the west tonight and Sunday, moisture brought in on low level east and southeast winds will keep thunderstorm chances in the forecast across much of the area through Sunday. The one exception will be found west of the continental divide where dry air will remain in place. Drier air will push into to much of western New Mexico Monday, limiting storms there. Elsewhere, mainly scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms will develop Monday. Dry air will move east and all but eliminate thunderstorm chances west of the central mountain chain Tuesday while chances remain across the east. && .DISCUSSION... Isolated showers and thunderstorms continue to fire over the northern and Sandia/Manzano mountains. Movement is to the south at 20 mph. Favored areas for thunderstorms late this afternoon and evening given the steering flow aloft would be along and near the Sangre de Cristo crest south to the central highlands and south- southwest to the east mountain area from Madrid south to Sandia Park, Tijeras, Manzano and Mountainair. Favored areas this evening and overnight appear to be locations south and southwest of the Jemez to mid RGV including the ABQ metro and west-central highlands. East winds return overnight, advecting low level gulf moisture in from W TX. Main differences on Sunday are two fold. Gulf moisture is progged to make it farther west tonight, allowing storms to develop across the west-central mountains. The other difference is a change to a NWLY steering flow as the upper level ridge to the west folds over. Northwest flow aloft and low level south to southeast flow across the northeast highlands and northeast plains is very favorable for strong to severe storms. Given the progged 25-35kt of effective bulk shear, expect storms with medium sized to large hail Sunday afternoon and evening. All models continue to develop a large mesoscale convective system (MCS) like feature across the northeast third of the state Sunday evening. Models developing a large area of a quarter to one half inch across San Miguel, Mora, Colfax and Union counties between 00z and 06z Monday. Ridge axis moves overhead Monday but with low level moisture in place, still expecting a decent crop of afternoon convection across the northern mountains during the afternoon, spreading east and southeast (possibly as far south as I-40) during the evening and overnight hours. Model solutions continue to diverge Tuesday. GFS sticking to the idea of drying out all but the northeast quarter while the NAM and ECMWF develop convection along and east of the central mountain chain. Upper level trough remains on track to move through central and northern NM Wednesday. GFS develops scattered convection underneath the through axis and cold core aloft across most of NM but ECMWF remains dry over all but the northeast quarter. Low forecast confidence continues for Tuesday and Wednesday. All global models, however, continue the idea of bringing an unseasonably deep upper low into the PACNW at the end of the work week. This feature forces the upper level ridge over the rockies ewd, developing a relatively moist sly flow across NM. 33 && .FIRE WEATHER... Atmospheric moisture is on the uptrend and surface dewpoint temperatures are back up into the 30s west...40s central and 50s east thanks to a backdoor front. A round of showers and storms has developed over the higher terrain and will be moving south over adjacent valleys and highlands late this afternoon and evening... bringing spotty wetting rains. Very dry...hot and unstable conditions exist along and west of the Continental Divide under the influence of the upper high centered over western Arizona. Relative humidity is trending up though...with good to excellent recovery forecast overnight central and east...and fair to good recovery west after low level moisture is transported further west overnight beyond the divide. Coverage of wetting storms is forecast to increase Sunday into Sunday night as PWATs go well above normal. More hot...dry and unstable conditions are forecast by Sunday afternoon west of the Continental Divide with haines values of 6. The upper level high is forecast to break down Monday...with the ridge axis shifting east across New Mexico through Wednesday as a Pacific low advances slowly eastward from over Nevada. A dry slot will work slowly eastward ahead of the upper low...gradually advancing across New Mexico through mid week...which will focus storms and chances for wetting precipitation a bit further east and north each day generally along and east of a dryline. West of the dryline...hot...very dry and unstable conditions will prevail with haines values of 6 and single digit minimum humidity...but lacking the wind necessary for critical fire weather conditions. The forecast for Friday through Saturday is less certain...although both the 12z GFS and ECMWF agree on a west coast trough moving inland and perhaps drawing moisture north across New Mexico resulting in an uptick in chances for wetting rain. 11 && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. &&
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM 308 AM MDT SAT JUN 4 2016 NMZ501>540-051200- 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- 308 AM MDT SAT JUN 4 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH AND CENTRAL NEW MEXICO. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT ISOLATED TO SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE CENTRAL MOUNTAIN CHAIN THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. SMALL HAIL...GUSTY WINDS AND LOCALLY HEAVY BUT BRIEF DOWNPOURS ARE POSSIBLE. A FEW DRY STORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS WESTERN NEW MEXICO AS WELL. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP OVER THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS ON SUNDAY AND SHIFT ACROSS THE EASTERN PLAINS THROUGH THE EVENING. A FEW STORMS MAY BECOME STRONG OR BRIEFLY SEVERE WITH HAIL AND GUSTY WINDS THE MAIN THREATS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT RAINFALL AMOUNTS...HAIL AND STRONG WIND GUSTS 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. 34
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM 342 PM MDT SAT JUN 4 2016 NMZ518-521-042215- SANTA FE METRO AREA-SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS- 342 PM MDT SAT JUN 4 2016 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN BERNALILLO AND SOUTHWESTERN SANTA FE COUNTIES UNTIL 415 PM MDT... AT 342 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR GOLDEN...OR 14 MILES EAST OF BERNALILLO... MOVING SOUTH AT 15 MPH. PENNY SIZE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT AND DANGEROUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... EDGEWOOD...TIJERAS...SEDILLO...CEDAR CREST...GOLDEN...SANDIA PARK... CEDAR GROVE...CANONCITO IN BERNALILLO COUNTY AND SAN ANTONITO. THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 40 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 175 AND 185. OTHER LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING LOCATION COLE SPRING PICNIC AREA. ACCUMULATIONS OF SMALL HAIL ON ROADS CAN CREATE VERY SLICK AND HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. && LAT...LON 3534 10635 3534 10623 3507 10616 3509 10642 TIME...MOT...LOC 2142Z 358DEG 9KT 3527 10630 CA
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM 609 PM MDT SAT JUN 4 2016 NMZ512-514-517-050045- LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY-SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTOS ABOVE 9500 FEET-WEST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS- 609 PM MDT SAT JUN 4 2016 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN RIO ARRIBA AND NORTHEASTERN SANTA FE COUNTIES UNTIL 645 PM MDT... AT 607 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING FROM 6 MILES WEST OF VELARDE TO NEAR TRUCHAS...AND MOVING SOUTHWEST AT 10 MPH. HALF INCH HAIL...WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH...AND HEAVY RAIN WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... CHIMAYO...RIO CHIQUITO...CUNDIYO...VELARDE...TRUCHAS...LA PUEBLA... CUARTELEZ...SANTA CRUZ AND HERNANDEZ. THIS INCLUDES HIGHWAY 285 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 337 AND 346. OTHER LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS BORREGO MESA CAMPGROUND AND SANTA CRUZ LAKE RECREATION AREA. && LAT...LON 3609 10618 3587 10581 3601 10570 3622 10608 TIME...MOT...LOC 0007Z 030DEG 8KT 3616 10610 3599 10579 GUYER
The Albuquerque radar (KABX), 115 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:10 UTC.
2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
County roads 88 and 98 washed out, exposing pipes, water and utility lines. One vehicle was partially underwater at a nearby low water crossing. Mud, water, and debris were noted over State Road 76 and U.S. Highway 285.
Pojoaque Valley Arroyo flowing rapidly out of it's banks into nearby yards. Swift water rescues took place in the area. No significant property damage sustained.
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, June 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: 628149, 628150.