Abundant monsoon moisture in place over New Mexico with strong afternoon heating set the stage for showers and thunderstorms with locally heavy rainfall. A strong thunderstorm that developed to the northwest of Cimarron Canyon drifted southeast over the Ute Park burn scar during the late afternoon hours of July 24th.
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.
Abundant monsoon moisture in place over New Mexico with strong afternoon heating set the stage for showers and thunderstorms with locally heavy rainfall. A strong thunderstorm that developed to the northwest of Cimarron Canyon drifted southeast over the Ute Park burn scar during the late afternoon hours of July 24th. Very heavy rainfall over the burn scar resulted in flash flooding along the Cimarron River. Flood waters topped U.S. Highway 64 forcing large boulders onto the highway.
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 24, 2:05 PM MST, 1 hour 55 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 305 PM MDT Tue Jul 24 2018 .SYNOPSIS... An active shower and thunderstorm period will continue through the end of the week and perhaps into early next week. Central and eastern New Mexico will be favored for the most widespread rainfall. Heavy rain and flash flooding will be possible, especially over burn scars or areas that have received recent heavy rainfall. Small hail and gusty winds will also be possible across portions of the northeast. Temperatures will remain above normal across western New Mexico, but will be near to below normal across central and eastern New Mexico. && .DISCUSSION... Showers and thunderstorms have been somewhat slower to start today, likely owning to some cooling from yesterdays storms. With that said, PWATs have increased over yesterday per the KABQ 12Z sounding. Models indicated that storms will roll off the northern mountains to the south and east, similar to yesterday. Also similar to yesterday, storms that roll into the northeast and east central highlands will be capable of damaging wind gusts and hail. Initially, it should be a hail threat, then as the cold pool strengthens, winds will become the dominating threat. LAPS analysis is indicating Lifted Indices of -5 to -6 to the south and east of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, so there is plenty of instability to work with yet this aftn/eve. On Wednesday, a weak frontal boundary will push into northeast NM in the afternoon. In addition to the high terrain, this will be the focus for thunderstorms Wed aftn/eve. The front/outflow boundary will continue to press southward across the plains and through the gaps of the central mountain chain Wednesday night. Moisture behind this boundary will re-invigorate the shower and thunderstorm crop along and west of the central mountain chain on Thursday, at least according to the NAM. Thus after today, the Albuquerque Metro's next best shot at rainfall will be Thursday. On Friday, the greatest rain chances look to bisect the state from southwest to northeast. Precipitable water values will remain near one inch, or higher across eastern NM, so any storm will be capable of heavy rain and flash flooding. As the week goes on, and soils become increasingly saturated, runoff and flash flooding will become a bigger concern. A few severe storms will be possible each day across northeast NM as well. Models continue to indicate another strong back door cold front will shift southward through the plains and westward through the gaps of the central mountain chain. This will again replenish low level moisture values, and set the stage for an active early week period. 34 && .FIRE WEATHER... The subtropical high pressure system is expected to remain west of NM over the next 7 days. With ample moisture in place, there will be daily rounds of wetting showers and thunderstorms. Some storms will be capable of locally heavy rainfall and burn scar flash flooding. Disturbances embedded in the periphery of the upper high will cross in northwest and north flow aloft daily, and these will send moist back door fronts into the area replenishing low level moisture. In the latest model runs, one front is expected Wednesday night, then multiple fronts will be possible during the coming weekend. Thursday's back door front should reach all of the way to the continental divide by evening. Locations along and east of the continental divide will be favored for moderate to heavy rainfall this week, while areas northwest of the continental divide have little if any rain. High temperatures across the west will generally vary from a few to 7 degrees above normal each day, while readings in the east vary from near normal to as much as 7 degrees below normal depending on the timing of the fronts. 44 && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF CYCLE With a abundant moisture in place and the subtropical high migrating from western NM to AZ, widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected today. All TAF sites have a risk of showers and storms as disturbances in NW and N flow aloft travel around the periphery of the upper high. Thunderstorms will generally move toward the SE or S at 5-15 kt this afternoon, then from 10-20 kt tonight. Thunderstorms are expected to congeal into a complex that travels south southeastward across the eastern plains tonight. There is a marginal risk of severe storms along and east of the central mountain chain. Wet microbursts and potentially large hail are expected with erratic wind gusts that could exceed 45 kt. 44 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Farmington...................... 67 95 66 96 / 30 10 20 10 Dulce........................... 55 88 53 91 / 50 40 40 20 Cuba............................ 57 88 57 89 / 60 20 30 20 Gallup.......................... 59 94 59 94 / 20 10 10 10 El Morro........................ 56 88 57 88 / 30 20 20 20 Grants.......................... 59 91 60 91 / 30 20 10 20 Quemado......................... 59 89 59 89 / 30 20 20 20 Glenwood........................ 67 96 67 98 / 40 20 30 20 Chama........................... 51 81 50 83 / 60 60 50 50 Los Alamos...................... 62 85 63 85 / 70 40 40 40 Pecos........................... 59 85 60 81 / 70 20 50 60 Cerro/Questa.................... 53 81 53 80 / 60 50 60 60 Red River....................... 49 72 48 70 / 70 70 70 80 Angel Fire...................... 46 77 44 76 / 70 70 70 70 Taos............................ 54 86 54 86 / 50 40 50 50 Mora............................ 53 83 53 80 / 70 50 60 70 Espanola........................ 61 91 61 91 / 50 20 30 30 Santa Fe........................ 61 86 63 84 / 60 20 40 50 Santa Fe Airport................ 61 90 61 89 / 60 20 30 30 Albuquerque Foothills........... 67 94 68 92 / 50 10 20 30 Albuquerque Heights............. 69 95 69 93 / 40 10 20 20 Albuquerque Valley.............. 66 97 67 95 / 40 10 20 20 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 68 96 69 94 / 40 10 20 20 Los Lunas....................... 66 98 66 96 / 40 10 10 10 Rio Rancho...................... 68 96 69 95 / 50 10 20 20 Socorro......................... 70 99 70 98 / 40 10 10 10 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 61 89 62 86 / 60 20 30 40 Tijeras......................... 63 91 63 89 / 60 10 20 40 Moriarty/Estancia............... 58 92 58 89 / 50 20 30 30 Clines Corners.................. 60 88 60 84 / 60 20 50 40 Gran Quivira.................... 62 93 62 90 / 40 20 30 30 Carrizozo....................... 66 92 67 91 / 30 10 30 40 Ruidoso......................... 60 85 61 84 / 40 20 40 50 Capulin......................... 58 84 57 76 / 60 50 60 40 Raton........................... 57 87 57 81 / 60 50 60 50 Springer........................ 58 89 57 83 / 60 40 60 40 Las Vegas....................... 56 85 56 80 / 70 40 60 40 Clayton......................... 63 90 63 80 / 40 20 50 30 Roy............................. 61 87 61 83 / 70 30 60 30 Conchas......................... 67 96 67 91 / 60 20 60 30 Santa Rosa...................... 66 95 66 90 / 70 20 60 30 Tucumcari....................... 68 97 68 92 / 50 10 60 30 Clovis.......................... 67 93 68 89 / 30 10 40 30 Portales........................ 67 95 68 91 / 40 10 40 30 Fort Sumner..................... 69 96 70 93 / 50 10 50 20 Roswell......................... 71 99 72 96 / 30 10 30 20 Picacho......................... 66 92 68 89 / 30 20 30 30 Elk............................. 63 87 64 86 / 20 30 40 40 && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flash Flood Watch until midnight MDT tonight for the following zones... NMZ511>515-518-523-527>529. && 34
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 242 AM MDT Tue Jul 24 2018 NMZ501>540-251100- 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- 242 AM MDT Tue Jul 24 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected today through the overnight. Storm motions will be slow and rainfall could become heavy. This may lead to localized areas of flash flooding, especially over and near recent and older burn scars. Isolated locations may receive up to 2 to 3 inches of rainfall. A few storms may also produce small hail and wind gusts to 50 mph. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected each afternoon into weekend. Storm motions will be slow and rainfall could become heavy. This may lead to localized areas of flash flooding, especially over and near recent and older burn scars. Isolated locations may receive up to 2 inches of rainfall. A few storms may also produce small hail and wind gusts to 50 mph. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report rainfall amounts and any flooding through the National Weather Service Albuquerque web site at weather.gov/abq or by calling 1.888.386.7637. 24
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 205 PM MDT TUE JUL 24 2018 NMZ515-527-242030- East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains-Raton Ridge/Johnson Mesa- 205 PM MDT TUE JUL 24 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTH CENTRAL COLFAX COUNTY UNTIL 230 PM MDT... At 205 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 16 miles south of Stonewall, or 27 miles west of Raton, moving southeast at 10 mph. Penny size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Heavy rain will also be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Vermejo Park. 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 3692 10506 3699 10498 3699 10468 3672 10483 TIME...MOT...LOC 2005Z 304DEG 10KT 3692 10494 DPorter
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 300 PM MDT TUE JUL 24 2018 NMZ515-527-242130- East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains-Raton Ridge/Johnson Mesa- 300 PM MDT TUE JUL 24 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN COLFAX COUNTY UNTIL 330 PM MDT... At 259 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 16 miles north of Ute Park, or 30 miles east of Questa, moving southeast at 5 mph. Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern Colfax County. 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 3677 10516 3686 10510 3685 10482 3663 10494 TIME...MOT...LOC 2059Z 295DEG 5KT 3679 10505 DPorter
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 305 PM MDT TUE JUL 24 2018 NMZ515-528-242130- Far Northeast Highlands-East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains- 305 PM MDT TUE JUL 24 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTH CENTRAL MORA COUNTY UNTIL 330 PM MDT... At 305 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near La Cueva, or 9 miles east of Mora, moving south at 10 mph. Penny size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Heavy rain will also be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... La Cueva, Golondrinas, Luceros, Ojo Feliz, Rainsville and South Carmen. 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 3605 10525 3609 10505 3583 10501 3588 10535 TIME...MOT...LOC 2105Z 021DEG 7KT 3600 10516 DPorter
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
335 PM MDT TUE JUL 24 2018
NMZ515-527-242200-
East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains-Raton Ridge/Johnson Mesa-
335 PM MDT TUE JUL 24 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN COLFAX COUNTY UNTIL
400 PM MDT...
At 335 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 17
miles northeast of Elizabethtown, or 27 miles east of Questa, moving
southeast at 10 mph.
Penny size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm. Heavy rain will also be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Vermejo Park.
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 3686 10491 3665 10510 3679 10518 3684 10514
3688 10514 3694 10508
TIME...MOT...LOC 2135Z 304DEG 8KT 3683 10511
DPorterThe Albuquerque radar (KABX), 224 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:02 UTC.
1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Flash flooding along the Cimarron River forced large boulders over U.S. Highway 64. A side bridge near the highway was forced under water.
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, July 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: 759203.