Hail, Union
- When
- August 22, 4:05 PM MST to 4:08 PM MST
- Where
- Union County, 2.76 mi N of Capulin
- Measured
- 1 in hail
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 36.780, -103.990
Quarter size hail at the Capulin Volcano National Monument.
Hail in New Mexico, August 22, 2019
After an extended period of dry and hot weather over most of New Mexico, a weak back door cold front delivered better moisture and cooler temperatures to eastern New Mexico. A few storms fired up over the higher terrain of southern New Mexico as well as the northeast plains on the afternoon of August 22, 2019.
Where it happened
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The toll
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 1
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.
What happened
The episode as NWS ABQ wrote it up.
After an extended period of dry and hot weather over most of New Mexico, a weak back door cold front delivered better moisture and cooler temperatures to eastern New Mexico. A few storms fired up over the higher terrain of southern New Mexico as well as the northeast plains on the afternoon of August 22, 2019. The strongest storm impacted the area around Capulin where quarter size hail was reported.
What forecasters said that day
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 Aug 22, 2:30 PM MST, 1 hour 35 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 22, 2:30 PM MST, 1 hour 35 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 330 PM MDT Thu Aug 22 2019 .SYNOPSIS... A warming and drying trend will gradually shut down shower and thunderstorms chances by the weekend. Near record to record heat is forecast this weekend and Monday before a couple of cold fronts, one next Monday night, and a second mid to late next week, bring some relief to the heat. They will also restore some moisture to the region, leading to a return of showers and storms. && .DISCUSSION... Upper trough approaching from the Great Basin is helping to scour out moisture over western New Mexico, and drying will continue in it's wake as northwest flow develops. Enough moisture is forecast to remain Friday and Friday evening for isolated to scattered showers and storms east of Interstate 25 and south of Interstate 40. By Saturday, a few showers and storms may hold out over Catron and Lincoln counties, but the remainder of the CWA is looking dry. Near record to record breaking heat is still forecast for the weekend and Monday before a couple of backdoor cold fronts impact eastern and central New Mexico. One front is scheduled to impact the eastern plains Monday evening, then push into the central valleys during the overnight. The GFS and ECMWF don't generate much precipitation with this feature Monday night, or on Tuesday. A second front, possibly as soon as Wednesday night, looks to create more havoc, with the GFS breaking out generous and widespread precipitation Thursday and Thursday night. The ECMWF delays the second front until Friday, but it does get pretty wet for the ECMWF. && .FIRE WEATHER... Storm coverage will shift further east this afternoon/evening and Friday, as drier air begins to make its way into the northwest portion of the state. Minimum relative humidities are expected to plunge below 15% and Haines values remaining moderate to high across the state as the hot, dry trend continues into the weekend. Near to record high temperatures are expected Sunday and Monday with portions of the eastern plains 10 to 15 degrees above normal. However, some relief is in store Monday night as a backdoor front pushes through, and leads to increased moisture for Tuesday and Wednesday. 31 && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF CYCLE VFR conditions to prevail across western portions of the state today, as drier air moves in from the northwest. Shower and thunderstorm coverage will move further east today, with KLVS likely to see thunderstorms by early afternoon, followed by KTCC and KROW later this afternoon (although confidence is much less for these two sites). Brief MVFR conditions are possible in stronger storms, along with gusty erratic winds and the chance for small hail. 31 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Farmington...................... 60 93 57 94 / 0 0 0 0 Dulce........................... 46 86 44 87 / 0 5 5 0 Cuba............................ 53 86 52 87 / 5 5 5 5 Gallup.......................... 51 88 51 90 / 0 10 5 0 El Morro........................ 47 82 48 85 / 0 10 10 5 Grants.......................... 51 85 51 88 / 0 10 10 5 Quemado......................... 54 82 53 85 / 5 30 20 20 Datil........................... 47 81 49 84 / 5 20 20 10 Glenwood........................ 60 90 62 92 / 10 30 20 30 Chama........................... 45 80 43 82 / 5 10 5 5 Los Alamos...................... 57 85 55 86 / 10 5 10 5 Pecos........................... 52 85 52 86 / 10 10 10 5 Cerro/Questa.................... 42 80 42 83 / 20 20 10 5 Red River....................... 36 72 36 75 / 20 20 20 10 Angel Fire...................... 33 76 34 78 / 20 20 10 10 Taos............................ 43 86 45 87 / 10 10 10 5 Mora............................ 46 82 46 84 / 20 20 10 10 Espanola........................ 50 91 53 92 / 10 5 10 0 Santa Fe........................ 51 86 52 87 / 10 10 10 5 Santa Fe Airport................ 53 89 54 90 / 5 5 5 5 Albuquerque Foothills........... 58 90 59 91 / 10 5 10 5 Albuquerque Heights............. 62 91 64 93 / 5 5 5 5 Albuquerque Valley.............. 57 93 62 95 / 5 0 5 0 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 58 92 60 94 / 5 5 5 0 Los Lunas....................... 57 93 61 95 / 5 0 5 0 Rio Rancho...................... 62 92 61 94 / 5 5 5 0 Socorro......................... 60 95 62 96 / 10 10 10 5 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 52 85 53 86 / 10 5 10 5 Tijeras......................... 56 88 57 89 / 10 5 10 5 Moriarty/Estancia............... 48 90 52 91 / 10 10 10 5 Clines Corners.................. 52 86 54 88 / 10 10 10 5 Gran Quivira.................... 56 88 57 89 / 10 10 10 10 Carrizozo....................... 61 90 62 91 / 10 10 10 10 Ruidoso......................... 52 81 55 82 / 10 30 20 30 Capulin......................... 49 84 52 87 / 40 20 20 10 Raton........................... 48 88 49 91 / 30 20 20 10 Springer........................ 47 88 49 91 / 20 20 20 10 Las Vegas....................... 47 85 50 87 / 20 20 10 10 Clayton......................... 54 90 58 92 / 30 20 30 5 Roy............................. 53 87 53 90 / 30 10 20 10 Conchas......................... 58 96 61 99 / 30 10 20 5 Santa Rosa...................... 61 96 63 98 / 20 10 20 5 Tucumcari....................... 63 98 65 99 / 30 5 30 5 Clovis.......................... 64 94 65 95 / 20 10 30 10 Portales........................ 65 96 65 97 / 20 10 30 10 Fort Sumner..................... 63 97 65 98 / 20 5 20 5 Roswell......................... 68 100 68 101 / 20 10 20 5 Picacho......................... 63 91 63 93 / 10 10 20 10 Elk............................. 58 86 60 87 / 20 30 20 30 && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. &&
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 22, 2:30 AM MST, 13 hours 35 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 330 AM MDT Thu Aug 22 2019 NMZ501>540-230930- 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- 330 AM MDT Thu Aug 22 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Isolated showers and thunderstorms will be limited to the northern, southwest and south-central mountains this afternoon and early evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Above to well above average temperatures will continue Friday through Tuesday. The hottest days are expected to be Sunday and Monday when widespread near record to record heat is likely. Areas within Chaves County may reach or exceed 105 degrees again for several days. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. 33
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Aug 22, 1:48 PM MST, 2 hours 17 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
248 PM MDT Thu Aug 22 2019
NMZ515-528-222115-
Far Northeast Highlands-East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains-
248 PM MDT Thu Aug 22 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN MORA COUNTY UNTIL 315 PM
MDT...
At 247 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles west of Wagon Mound, moving southeast at 10 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Wagon Mound.
This includes Interstate 25 between Mile Markers 372 and 397.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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.
Motorists can expect brief but sudden changes in visibility and
ponding of water on highways as storms move through the area.
&&
LAT...LON 3595 10505 3616 10485 3612 10448 3578 10461
3578 10481
TIME...MOT...LOC 2047Z 294DEG 7KT 3597 10485
24Special weather statement, Aug 22, 3:44 PM MST, 21 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 444 PM MDT Thu Aug 22 2019 NMZ527-528-530-222315- Far Northeast Highlands-Union County-Raton Ridge/Johnson Mesa- 444 PM MDT Thu Aug 22 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL UNION AND SOUTHEASTERN COLFAX COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM MDT... At 444 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 14 miles southwest of Capulin, or 21 miles southwest of Des Moines, moving south at 15 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of west central Union and southeastern Colfax Counties. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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 3658 10439 3675 10403 3654 10361 3631 10426 TIME...MOT...LOC 2244Z 349DEG 12KT 3657 10415 24
Special weather statement, Aug 22, 3:58 PM MST, 7 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
458 PM MDT Thu Aug 22 2019
NMZ527-530-222330-
Union County-Raton Ridge/Johnson Mesa-
458 PM MDT Thu Aug 22 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN UNION COUNTY UNTIL
530 PM MDT...
At 458 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Capulin, or near Des Moines, moving northeast at 25 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Des Moines, Folsom and Capulin.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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 3682 10359 3668 10389 3676 10405 3700 10388
3700 10380
TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 222DEG 22KT 3678 10395
24The radar
The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 188 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:07 UTC.
Event by event
1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
What these are
- Hail
- Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in Nebraska, August 22 to 31, 2019
- Rip Current in Illinois, August 22, 2019
- Damaging Winds and Lightning Strike in North Carolina, August 22, 2019
- Damaging Winds in New York, August 22, 2019
- Damaging Winds in Virginia, August 22, 2019
- Damaging Winds in Virginia, August 22, 2019
- Heat in Arizona, August 22, 2019
- Flash Flood and Flood in Oklahoma, August 22 to 23, 2019
- Wildfire in California, August 22 to 26, 2019
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Maryland, August 22, 2019
- Marine Thunderstorm Winds in North Atlantic Coastal Waters, August 22, 2019
- Damaging Winds and Lightning Strike in North Carolina, August 22, 2019
More
Every storm in New Mexico in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, August 2019
Sources
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: 839462.