A shallow surge of low level moisture pushed west through the Albuquerque Metro Area and interacted with meager mid and upper level moisture that moved north from Mexico on April 28th. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developed over the western high terrain of New Mexico that drifted east toward the late afternoon hours.
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.
A shallow surge of low level moisture pushed west through the Albuquerque Metro Area and interacted with meager mid and upper level moisture that moved north from Mexico on April 28th. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developed over the western high terrain of New Mexico that drifted east toward the late afternoon hours. A thunderstorm that dissipated several miles west of the Albuquerque metro forced an intense outflow boundary eastward into the the city. A sudden burst of winds near 60 mph on the west side of Albuquerque partially tore the roof off of a motel and snapped tree limbs. Blowing dust accompanied the outflow boundary across the metro area. Another dry thunderstorm near Las Vegas resulted in a peak wind gust up to 58 mph at the airport.
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 Apr 28, 1:47 PM MST, 1 hour 31 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 247 PM MDT Sat Apr 28 2018 .SYNOPSIS... A mix of wet and dry thunderstorms will continue through the evening across western and central New Mexico. On Sunday, the moisture will be mixed out across these areas, and instead critical fire weather conditions will return. Meanwhile, moist conditions will persist across eastern New Mexico and showers and thunderstorms should develop Sunday afternoon east of a dryline. Some of these storms may be severe with damaging winds and large hail. Drier conditions are expected area wide on Monday. Breezy to windy conditions combined with low humidities will yield widespread critical fire weather conditions Monday afternoon. Dry and windy conditions will persist on Tuesday, then Tuesday night through Wednesday, showers and thunderstorms may return across northwest New Mexico. Temperatures are expected to be near or below normal Tuesday through the end of the work week. && .DISCUSSION... A mix of wet and dry showers and thunderstorms have erupted across much of western and central NM today. Quite a bit of lightning has been associated with these storms. Given the meager rainfall today, antecedent dry conditions, and breezy to windy conditions forecast for Sunday, wouldn't be too surprised to see a few lightning-caused wildfires develop around the area Sunday or even Monday. As for tonight, these storms will continue well into the evening hours as they shift northeastward. Storm coverage will diminish around midnight, though a few showers may continue across the northern mountains. Mild temperatures remain in store for tonight. On Sunday, a dryline will set up across eastern NM as a dry slot pushes into western and central NM. While dry and windy conditions plague western and central areas, thunderstorms are expected to develop along and east of the dryline. With sfc based CAPE values greater than 1000 J/KG and 0-6km bulk shear around 30kts, could see a few strong or severe storms with damaging winds and large hail the main threats. Though these storms should develop just east of the dryline in NM, they are expected to quickly move into west Texas. Though the dryline will slosh back westward Sunday night, it will quickly mix back eastward Monday morning as strong west to southwest winds develop in response to a shortwave trough moving across the state. Winds speeds will be close to advisory thresholds around Ruidoso and portions of northeast NM. Areas of blowing dust will be possible. Winds re-strengthen on Tuesday as the next storm system moves over SoCal and a 994 mb surface low develops over SE CO. As the storm system shifts eastward Tuesday night, showers and thunderstorms will develop over the northwestern third to half of the state. The upper low will start to weaken on Wednesday as it tracks across the Four Corners region, then the main low will shift northeastward as a trough tracks across NM on Thursday. This system will keep temperatures near to below normal Tuesday through the end of the week while bringing some light precipitation to portions of the north and west. 34 && .FIRE WEATHER... ...RED FLAG WARNING SUNDAY OVER WESTERN NEW MEXICO AND THE CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH MONDAY OVER NEARLY THE ENTIRE AREA... As of 2 pm, the NLDN lightning network detected nearly 500 strikes over central and western NM today. So far no wetting rainfall has hit an observation site however radar detection shows a couple very small footprints near 0.50" between Acoma Pueblo, Grants, and Mt Taylor. Expect strong convective outflows to continue into the early evening with cells developing around the Rio Grande Valley and the high plains of eastern NM. Most of this activity will remain a mix of wet and dry through tonight. Fortunately, overnight humidity recoveries will be very good just about everywhere with light winds after midnight. A fire growing pattern will begin Sunday as a low pressure system takes shape over the western U.S. Southwest winds will increase by late morning and force a large dry slot across central and western NM. Widespread 6 haines indices will combine with above normal high temperatures and several hours of single digit humidity to create critical conditions. The focus will be over western NM and the central and northeast highlands. The Rio Grande Valley will be on the cusp with several hours of marginal conditions. A dryline over far eastern NM will force afternoon storms with potential for some severe weather. Southwest winds will increase more on Monday with the focus for critical conditions from the west central mts eastward across the Rio Grande Valley through all of the eastern plains. A fire weather watch will be issued for another round of strong winds, single digit humidity, and high haines. If the winds were stronger this would be close to an extremely critical threat. The pattern continues with poor to fair recoveries Monday night. The low pressure system will inch closer to the Four Corners region Tuesday and spread more critical fire weather conditions over central and eastern NM. Fortunately, high temperatures will begin trending below normal west of the central mt chain. Wednesday will feature much of the same for eastern NM with more critical fire weather conditions. The upper wave is then shown to spread deeper moisture and even some wetting rains into the northern mts Wednesday and perhaps Thursday. Temperatures will be 5 to 15 degrees below normal with less wind, more cloud cover, and higher humidity. The pattern from Friday into the weekend is much less certain as model guidance continues to flip flop around every day. Guyer && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF CYCLE Showers and storms with strong outflow winds, brief rain, small hail, blowing dust, and frequent lightning will continue developing around the northern and western high terrain. This activity will move NNE at 10 to 15 kt. Outflow boundary collisions will dominate convective development aft 21Z with showers and storms advancing into the Rio Grande Valley and high plains of eastern NM. Guidance shows light rain showers hanging on around central NM thru 06Z before dissipating to a mid level cloud deck overnight. VFR is expected all areas except directly beneath the core of stronger storm cells. Stronger southwest winds and drier air will spread over central and western NM Sunday. Guyer && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Farmington...................... 45 78 45 72 / 30 0 0 0 Dulce........................... 40 73 39 67 / 60 5 0 0 Cuba............................ 41 72 40 67 / 50 0 0 0 Gallup.......................... 38 75 39 69 / 20 0 0 0 El Morro........................ 38 72 37 67 / 30 0 0 0 Grants.......................... 36 76 38 71 / 30 0 0 0 Quemado......................... 40 74 39 69 / 30 0 0 0 Glenwood........................ 46 80 44 75 / 20 0 0 0 Chama........................... 36 65 33 61 / 60 5 0 0 Los Alamos...................... 47 71 48 68 / 40 10 0 0 Pecos........................... 45 71 43 67 / 40 10 0 0 Cerro/Questa.................... 40 68 38 64 / 50 10 0 0 Red River....................... 37 58 35 54 / 50 10 0 0 Angel Fire...................... 33 65 30 61 / 60 10 0 0 Taos............................ 39 73 37 69 / 40 10 0 0 Mora............................ 40 70 39 67 / 50 10 0 0 Espanola........................ 47 78 45 74 / 30 5 0 0 Santa Fe........................ 47 74 45 70 / 40 5 0 0 Santa Fe Airport................ 44 77 42 73 / 30 5 0 0 Albuquerque Foothills........... 49 80 48 76 / 30 0 0 0 Albuquerque Heights............. 53 82 51 77 / 20 0 0 0 Albuquerque Valley.............. 49 84 47 79 / 20 0 0 0 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 50 82 49 78 / 30 0 0 0 Los Lunas....................... 46 85 45 81 / 20 0 0 0 Rio Rancho...................... 50 82 49 78 / 30 0 0 0 Socorro......................... 51 86 50 82 / 20 0 0 0 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 46 75 46 71 / 30 5 0 0 Tijeras......................... 46 77 45 73 / 30 0 0 0 Moriarty/Estancia............... 38 79 39 74 / 20 0 0 0 Clines Corners.................. 43 75 40 70 / 20 5 0 0 Gran Quivira.................... 45 78 44 74 / 20 0 0 0 Carrizozo....................... 49 79 50 75 / 10 0 0 0 Ruidoso......................... 50 73 46 68 / 20 5 0 0 Capulin......................... 45 75 44 74 / 20 20 5 5 Raton........................... 42 79 38 76 / 30 10 5 5 Springer........................ 42 80 38 77 / 30 10 5 0 Las Vegas....................... 42 74 40 71 / 40 10 0 0 Clayton......................... 51 79 50 80 / 10 20 20 5 Roy............................. 47 76 46 75 / 20 20 10 0 Conchas......................... 51 82 48 82 / 20 20 5 0 Santa Rosa...................... 48 81 44 80 / 20 20 5 0 Tucumcari....................... 55 84 52 86 / 10 30 20 5 Clovis.......................... 51 80 50 82 / 10 30 30 5 Portales........................ 52 80 51 82 / 10 30 30 5 Fort Sumner..................... 52 83 50 83 / 10 20 10 5 Roswell......................... 55 88 53 88 / 10 20 10 5 Picacho......................... 50 82 50 79 / 20 10 5 0 Elk............................. 47 79 47 76 / 20 5 0 0 && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Red Flag Warning from 1 PM to 8 PM MDT Sunday for the following zones... NMZ101-103-105-107-109. Fire Weather Watch from Monday morning through Monday evening for the following zones... NMZ103>109. && 34
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 313 PM MDT Sat Apr 28 2018 NMZ501>540-292100- 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- 313 PM MDT Sat Apr 28 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight No hazardous weather is expected. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday A few strong to severe storms are possible near the Texas border Sunday afternoon and evening, with large hail and damaging winds being the primary threats. Critical fire weather conditions are possible Sunday afternoon across portions of western and central New Mexico. Critical fire weather conditions are possible Monday across a larger portion of central and northern New Mexico, with windier conditions forecast. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be required Sunday for portions of the Eastern Plains closest to the Texas border due to the threat for a severe storm or two. 34
The Albuquerque radar (KABX), 163 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:19 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Las Vegas reported a peak wind gust up to 58 mph from a dry thunderstorm outflow.
A small section of roof was torn off the Microtel Inn and Suites near Interstate 40 and 98th street. Cost of damage is estimated.
A five inch tree limb was snapped from a Cottonwood tree at an apartment complex near Alameda and Ellison. A large yucca cactus was also toppled on the west side of Albuquerque.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, April 2018
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: 742619, 742625, 742629.