Upper level high pressure over the Four Corners region generated northwest flow aloft across eastern New Mexico. Deep low level southeasterly flow into the east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and afternoon heating allowed showers and thunderstorms to develop then move southeast into the high plains.
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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.
Upper level high pressure over the Four Corners region generated northwest flow aloft across eastern New Mexico. Deep low level southeasterly flow into the east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and afternoon heating allowed showers and thunderstorms to develop then move southeast into the high plains. An isolated thunderstorm moving across Union County produced strong outflow wind gusts on it's leading edge. A spotter in the area between Clayton and Sedan reported a peak wind gust to 58 mph. No damage 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 Jul 26, 2:37 PM MST, 2 hours 3 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 337 PM MDT Wed Jul 26 2017 .SYNOPSIS... A weak frontal boundary will enter northeastern NM tonight, offering very slight reductions in temperature, but triggering strong storms as it sags into the state. Locally heavy rainfall and flash flooding will be possible overnight across much of northeastern New Mexico. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are then forecast again on Thursday and Friday with the potential for locally heavy rain persisting. Some drier air will then enter New Mexico this weekend, pushing the focus for storms into far western and northern areas of the state. && .DISCUSSION... The upper level high has elongated across NM, northwest TX, and OK with a few embedded centroids leading to lighter winds aloft. The past few days have been relatively down days convection-wise, and today has also had relatively low coverage thus far. However, this should change as the focus turns to the northeastern quadrant of the state tonight. Storms initially were exhibiting some northward motions, but this has seemingly slowed down and become a bit more variable in response to the lighter winds aloft alluded to above. Storms have initiated over the northeast highlands near the I-25 corridor an on the northern/northwestern periphery of the surface low. As the surface low buckles more this evening, the northerly wind shift will become more pronounced and act as a forcing mechanism for new storms. A few storms could turn strong to severe in the northeast, as northerly surface winds and easterly 500 mb winds are yielding around 20-25 kt of bulk shear in the lower half of the troposphere, marginal values for severe cells. The other issue will be heavy rainfall due to multicellular convection, training, and very slow steering winds aloft. Have opted to issue a Flash Flood Watch for the northeastern quadrant of the forecast area tonight through 5 am Thursday. Overnight mesoscale convective modes will certainly dictate how Thursday shapes up, but on the synoptic scale it does appear the frontal boundary to spill into the Rio Grande valley. As usual, the NAM is more enthused about this outcome creating storm potential just west of the Rio Grande along the east faces of the Jemez and Continental Divide while also keeping the east slopes of the central mountain chain active in easterly upslope flow. The GFS is not as invasive with the surface boundary and concentrates storms in northeastern NM. Have trended forecast closer to the NAM solution, but small scale cold convective pools will undoubtedly dictate the progression of the front and Thursday's crop of storms. Heavy rainfall will remain a clear and present threat into Thursday, and storm motions will remain slow as the western-most centroid of the high wins its residency near the Four Corners. Another Flash Flood Watch could be in order for Thursday. Both the central mountain chain and the western high terrain will remain under high probability for storms into Friday with readily abundant moisture available. Into Saturday, the 500 mb pressure heights will lower, but high pressure will still broadly encompass the southern and central Rockies. The best moisture appears to be steered to the northern and western zones of NM Saturday as slightly drier air fills into remaining areas of the state. This trend will continue into Sunday, but a back door cold front will revisit the northeastern corner of NM, adding new storm development there and continuing into Monday. High pressure will stay within arm's reach of NM through this time and into Tuesday. 52 && .FIRE WEATHER... Upper level high currently migrating northwestward across the state today. One more relatively down afternoon/evening is expected today before a backdoor boundary spills south into eastern NM tonight and west across the state Thursday. This front is expected to become a trigger for widespread showers and thunderstorms first across the northeast tonight and then through the remainder of the region Thursday and Friday. Numerous showers and thunderstorms with locally heavy rainfall are likely Thursday through Friday with a Flash Flood Watch in effect for northeast and east-central areas tonight. Drier air will begin to filter in across eastern and central locations Saturday, focusing storms across the western quarter and northern mountains. Similar conditions are on track Sunday but with the introduction of a backdoor boundary once again across the northeast, this area of the state will get into the convective act Sunday evening. This front/boundary is forecast to drop into eastern and northern NM Tuesday, allowing for an uptick in thunderstorm coverage and intensity late-day Sunday into Sunday night, especially east. GFS and ECMWF weather prediction models have the same general idea for late next week, sending the Four Corners high west and northwest over NV and allowing more backdoor boundaries into the state from the northeast to trigger convection. 33 && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF CYCLE VFR conditions prevail and are forecast to persist outside of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon/evening. Favored terminals for shower and storm impacts are KLVS and KTCC. Short-lived MVFR conditions are possible with any showers and storms. A cluster of strong storms is forecast to move into far northeast NM after 27/06Z. This complex will send a rain cooled boundary south and swwd through the ern plains during the early morning hours, making it to the canyons of the central mt chain around sunrise. East and southeast winds in the 10 to 25 mph range will develop at KABQ and KSAF thereafter. 33 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Farmington...................... 64 94 67 89 / 10 20 30 40 Dulce........................... 56 86 58 80 / 40 60 60 60 Cuba............................ 58 82 57 77 / 30 60 70 70 Gallup.......................... 59 87 60 81 / 20 50 60 60 El Morro........................ 56 82 56 76 / 30 60 70 70 Grants.......................... 57 86 58 82 / 40 60 70 60 Quemado......................... 58 82 58 77 / 50 60 70 70 Glenwood........................ 66 89 65 85 / 40 70 60 70 Chama........................... 52 81 53 75 / 40 60 70 70 Los Alamos...................... 64 81 62 76 / 40 60 60 60 Pecos........................... 59 78 58 80 / 60 70 80 70 Cerro/Questa.................... 54 78 54 76 / 50 60 80 80 Red River....................... 49 70 49 69 / 60 80 80 80 Angel Fire...................... 48 73 48 71 / 60 70 80 80 Taos............................ 54 82 55 81 / 50 60 60 70 Mora............................ 56 74 56 75 / 70 70 80 70 Espanola........................ 65 85 65 86 / 30 50 60 50 Santa Fe........................ 62 81 61 80 / 40 70 70 70 Santa Fe Airport................ 61 85 60 84 / 30 50 70 60 Albuquerque Foothills........... 67 88 66 84 / 30 40 60 50 Albuquerque Heights............. 69 89 67 86 / 30 30 60 50 Albuquerque Valley.............. 64 91 63 87 / 30 30 60 50 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 68 90 66 86 / 30 30 60 50 Los Lunas....................... 65 92 64 90 / 30 30 60 40 Rio Rancho...................... 69 89 67 87 / 30 30 60 50 Socorro......................... 67 90 66 90 / 30 30 60 30 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 58 86 57 84 / 40 50 70 60 Tijeras......................... 62 87 62 85 / 40 50 70 50 Moriarty/Estancia............... 60 83 58 85 / 50 50 70 60 Clines Corners.................. 59 82 57 81 / 60 50 70 60 Gran Quivira.................... 62 83 60 82 / 40 50 70 50 Carrizozo....................... 64 85 63 87 / 50 50 60 30 Ruidoso......................... 57 79 56 81 / 50 60 50 30 Capulin......................... 60 77 58 81 / 80 60 50 60 Raton........................... 61 80 58 84 / 80 60 70 60 Springer........................ 61 82 59 85 / 80 60 70 50 Las Vegas....................... 58 77 57 79 / 80 60 70 60 Clayton......................... 64 81 62 86 / 70 50 40 40 Roy............................. 64 82 62 84 / 80 60 60 40 Conchas......................... 71 90 69 92 / 70 50 50 40 Santa Rosa...................... 66 89 64 91 / 60 50 50 40 Tucumcari....................... 71 92 67 95 / 50 50 50 20 Clovis.......................... 68 91 67 92 / 30 30 30 20 Portales........................ 70 92 70 92 / 20 30 20 20 Fort Sumner..................... 70 90 68 92 / 40 50 40 20 Roswell......................... 71 97 70 98 / 30 30 20 10 Picacho......................... 65 88 64 90 / 50 40 40 20 Elk............................. 61 83 60 85 / 50 40 40 20 && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flash Flood Watch through late tonight for the following zones... NMZ513>515-523-527>534. && 52
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 420 AM MDT Wed Jul 26 2017 NMZ501>540-271000- 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- 420 AM MDT Wed Jul 26 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Heavy rainfall will impact northeast portions of the state tonight. Localized areas of flash flooding may occur, especially along the east slopes of the Sangre de Cristos. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday Heavy rainfall will spread south and westward Thursday into Thursday night. Localized areas of flash flooding may occur. The Albuquerque and Santa Fe metro areas are likely to be impacted. The main focus for flooding rain should be found across the northern and western tier Friday into Friday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. 50
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 215 PM MDT WED JUL 26 2017 NMZ527-262045- Raton Ridge/Johnson Mesa- 215 PM MDT WED JUL 26 2017 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL UNION AND EAST CENTRAL COLFAX COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM MDT... At 215 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7 miles southwest of Capulin, or 16 miles west of Des Moines. This storm was nearly stationary. Winds in excess of 40 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... Capulin. Heavy rains will cause water to pond on roads and in low spots. Fast running water will quickly fill arroyos and ditches. && LAT...LON 3661 10423 3679 10417 3679 10392 3653 10401 TIME...MOT...LOC 2015Z 284DEG 3KT 3669 10412 RJH
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
416 PM MDT WED JUL 26 2017
NMZ530-262245-
Union County-
416 PM MDT WED JUL 26 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL UNION COUNTY UNTIL
445 PM MDT...
At 415 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles east of Gladstone, or 30 miles south of Des Moines, moving
north at 15 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of west central Union
County.
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.
Motorists can expect brief but sudden changes in visibility and
ponding of water on highways as storms move through the area.
Heavy rains will cause water to pond on roads and in low spots. Fast
running water will quickly fill arroyos and ditches.
&&
LAT...LON 3625 10361 3622 10381 3628 10390 3650 10387
3651 10386 3649 10360 3634 10349
TIME...MOT...LOC 2215Z 186DEG 11KT 3633 10378
RJHSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 527 PM MDT WED JUL 26 2017 NMZ530-270000- Union County- 527 PM MDT WED JUL 26 2017 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EAST CENTRAL UNION COUNTY UNTIL 600 PM MDT... At 527 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13 miles southwest of Clayton, moving east at 20 mph. Dime size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Clayton. 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. Heavy rains will cause water to pond on roads and in low spots. Fast running water will quickly fill arroyos and ditches. && LAT...LON 3624 10344 3640 10344 3650 10314 3615 10308 TIME...MOT...LOC 2327Z 269DEG 16KT 3631 10335 RJH
The Cannon AFB radar (KFDX), 184 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:38 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A peak wind gust up to 58 mph was reported 14 miles northwest of Sedan. No damage occurred.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, July 2017
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: 704719.