Abundant moisture combined with strong afternoon heating beneath an upper level high over southwestern New Mexico to produce numerous showers and thunderstorms with heavy rainfall on July 25, 2019. Storms first developed over the northern and western high terrain during the early afternoon hours before moving southward into nearby highlands and valleys through the afternoon.
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 moisture combined with strong afternoon heating beneath an upper level high over southwestern New Mexico to produce numerous showers and thunderstorms with heavy rainfall on July 25, 2019. Storms first developed over the northern and western high terrain during the early afternoon hours before moving southward into nearby highlands and valleys through the afternoon. Rainfall rates of two inches per hour were common with several of these storms, resulting in many reports of minor flooding. The most significant impacts were reported around Bluewater Lake and Los Alamos where swift flowing water and debris resulted in some road closures.
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 25, 1:24 PM MST, 2 hours 6 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 224 PM MDT Thu Jul 25 2019 .SYNOPSIS... An uptick in storm coverage is expected this afternoon and continuing through the weekend except in east central and southeast portions of the state. Locally heavy rainfall will be possible with the strongest and slower moving storms, and areas on and near recent burn scars will be the most susceptible to flash flooding. Drier air will begin to move into northwest New Mexico Sunday, significantly reducing precipitation chances in that area. Precipitation chances will continue to decrease across the state early next week as that drier air continues pushing south and east. Storm activity will likely be limited to areas south of Interstate 40 Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures will generally be near normal through the weekend before rising above normal early next week. && .DISCUSSION... The upper-level high continues to slowly migrate south and west and is currently centered just east of Crownpoint near the NM/AZ border. A few disturbances embedded in the flow of the high will move into north central and northeast New Mexico through the weekend, and an uptick in storm coverage is expected through Sunday as a result. The first of those disturbances will track east and southeast through northern NM this afternoon. Locally heavy rainfall is likely with the strongest and slower moving storms, and a Flash Flood Watch is in effect until midnight tonight for portions of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, mainly for the burn scars, where that disturbance will move through. Storm motion will generally be to the southeast. The high will continue its journey south and west Friday and will generally be centered over southeast AZ/southwest NM before moving a bit further west into central AZ Saturday. Storms will continue to favor the northern and southwestern mountains each day with outflow boundaries helping to initiate activity in valley locations. Due to this setup, the east central and southeastern plains will likely continue to miss out on any storm activity. The second weak disturbance will move across the central Rockies Saturday, and as it exits the area, it will send a backdoor cold front through the eastern plains late Sunday. Meanwhile, the upper high will be well to the west of New Mexico, and drier air working around the high will begin to move into northwest NM. Precipitation chances will be significantly reduced across the NW Sunday and will primarily be focused along the higher terrain of northern and southwestern NM. It will be all about the placement of the high next week. Both the GFS and ECMWF agree that the high will begin building back east near the NM/CO border Monday. Unfortunately, that drier air will continue to push farther into the state, and precipitation chances will be significantly reduced both Monday and Tuesday. The best chances for storm activity will likely be along and near the higher terrain south of Interstate 40. PoPs gradually increase again mid to late next week as the upper high potentially migrates east near the OK Panhandle, allowing monsoon moisture to gradually work its way back into western NM. 15 && .FIRE WEATHER... The wetting footprint of today's round of convection will be greater than yesterday's for much of northern and western New Mexico as the upper high is shifting south along the AZ/NM border and easterly steering flow takes storms off of the higher terrain and into nearby highlands/valleys. Friday still looks to hold the greatest potential for soaking rains as PWATs spike above normal. The focus for wetting storms will shift east Saturday and more-so on Sunday as dry northwest flow penetrates far into central New Mexico. The upper high is forecast to drift east and set up over the CO/NM border early next week then stay there through the work-week, leading to a warming and drying trend with a significant convective downtrend. 11 && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF CYCLE VFR conditions prevail and are forecast to persist outside of scattered showers and storms this afternoon/evening. Short-lived MVFR conditions are likely with convection today, with impacts most likely at KLVS, KSAF, KAEG, KABQ and KGUP...and in that order in terms of forecast confidence. Storms that develop east of the Sandia/Manzano mountains may send an outflow through KABQ and result in gusty east winds between 01-06Z. Storms may persist well after dark near KABQ, KAEG and KSAF per the latest hi-res model solutions. 11 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Farmington...................... 65 93 65 94 / 20 10 20 10 Dulce........................... 52 88 52 88 / 40 30 40 30 Cuba............................ 59 88 59 87 / 50 30 40 40 Gallup.......................... 58 89 58 89 / 40 40 40 30 El Morro........................ 55 84 55 84 / 50 50 50 40 Grants.......................... 57 86 57 86 / 50 50 50 50 Quemado......................... 60 86 59 86 / 60 50 50 50 Datil........................... 59 84 58 84 / 50 70 50 60 Glenwood........................ 61 94 62 94 / 30 50 40 50 Chama........................... 50 79 50 80 / 50 50 50 60 Los Alamos...................... 62 82 61 82 / 70 60 60 60 Pecos........................... 59 84 59 83 / 70 60 60 60 Cerro/Questa.................... 54 79 54 79 / 70 70 50 70 Red River....................... 49 73 48 73 / 70 80 60 80 Angel Fire...................... 47 75 47 75 / 70 80 60 80 Taos............................ 53 84 53 84 / 60 60 40 60 Mora............................ 52 81 52 80 / 70 70 60 70 Espanola........................ 61 90 61 90 / 50 40 40 40 Santa Fe........................ 62 84 62 84 / 60 40 60 50 Santa Fe Airport................ 60 88 60 87 / 60 40 50 40 Albuquerque Foothills........... 67 92 67 91 / 60 30 40 40 Albuquerque Heights............. 68 93 68 92 / 50 30 40 40 Albuquerque Valley.............. 66 95 66 94 / 50 30 40 40 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 68 94 67 93 / 50 30 40 40 Los Lunas....................... 65 94 64 93 / 40 30 40 40 Rio Rancho...................... 67 94 66 94 / 50 30 40 40 Socorro......................... 68 97 67 96 / 40 40 40 50 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 62 86 61 85 / 60 40 50 50 Tijeras......................... 63 89 63 89 / 60 40 50 50 Moriarty/Estancia............... 55 91 55 90 / 60 40 50 50 Clines Corners.................. 58 85 57 84 / 60 40 60 50 Gran Quivira.................... 61 88 60 88 / 40 50 50 50 Carrizozo....................... 66 91 65 91 / 10 20 30 30 Ruidoso......................... 57 84 57 83 / 10 20 30 30 Capulin......................... 55 82 55 83 / 70 50 40 50 Raton........................... 54 87 54 87 / 60 60 40 60 Springer........................ 55 87 55 87 / 60 60 40 60 Las Vegas....................... 54 83 54 82 / 60 70 60 60 Clayton......................... 63 90 63 91 / 40 20 20 10 Roy............................. 60 86 59 86 / 50 40 40 40 Conchas......................... 66 95 66 94 / 40 30 30 20 Santa Rosa...................... 65 93 65 92 / 40 40 40 30 Tucumcari....................... 67 96 67 95 / 20 10 20 10 Clovis.......................... 63 91 64 90 / 10 5 10 5 Portales........................ 64 93 64 92 / 5 5 10 5 Fort Sumner..................... 65 92 66 90 / 30 10 30 10 Roswell......................... 68 97 69 95 / 5 5 10 10 Picacho......................... 62 90 63 89 / 5 10 20 20 Elk............................. 59 87 59 87 / 5 10 20 20 && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flash Flood Watch until midnight MDT tonight for the following zones... NMZ513-515-527. && 15
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 419 AM MDT Thu Jul 25 2019 NMZ501>540-261100- 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- 419 AM MDT Thu Jul 25 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight The potential exists for locally heavy rainfall and flash flooding mainly in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains this afternoon and evening. Areas below recent burn scars will be especially vulnerable. Please review the latest Flash Flood Watch for additional details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected to return to the northern, western and central mountains Friday and Saturday. Movement will be southeastward over adjacent lowlands. Storm motions will be slow and rainfall could become heavy. This may lead to localized areas of flash flooding, especially below recent burn scars. Isolated locations may receive up to 2 inches of rainfall with locally higher amounts. A few storms may also produce small hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph. Similar weather is expected Sunday across the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Northeast Highlands. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. 44
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 1254 PM MDT Thu Jul 25 2019 NMZ515-528-251930- Far Northeast Highlands-East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains- 1254 PM MDT Thu Jul 25 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL MORA COUNTY UNTIL 130 PM MDT... At 1254 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11 miles southeast of Ocate, or 11 miles northwest of Wagon Mound, moving south at 5 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Heavy rain will also be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Wagon Mound. This includes Interstate 25 between Mile Markers 388 and 391. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If threatening weather approaches your area, take shelter in a sturdy building. && LAT...LON 3613 10496 3620 10480 3602 10466 3596 10494 TIME...MOT...LOC 1854Z 349DEG 6KT 3611 10487 34
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 144 PM MDT Thu Jul 25 2019 NMZ508-252015- Southwest Mountains- 144 PM MDT Thu Jul 25 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL CATRON COUNTY UNTIL 215 PM MDT... At 144 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Red Hill, or 22 miles east of Springerville, moving southeast at 10 mph. Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Heavy rain will also be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Red Hill. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If threatening weather approaches your area, take shelter in a sturdy building. && LAT...LON 3417 10904 3427 10888 3409 10864 3393 10890 TIME...MOT...LOC 1944Z 324DEG 9KT 3415 10889 34
The Albuquerque radar (KABX), 115 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:31 UTC.
2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
NM-412 south of Prewitt to Bluewater Lake was closed due to swift flood waters crossing the roadway.
Eastbound lanes of NM-502 were closed due to water, mud, rocks, and debris flowing over the roadway due to torrential rainfall. The closure was reduced to one lane after water receded in the area. A public weather station in nearby White Rock reported 2.21 inches of rainfall from this storm.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, July 2019
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: 830034, 830045.