Drought conditions across northern and central New Mexico continued to deteriorate during the month of August. Moderate to extreme drought worsened to about 95 percent of the state of which about 22 percent was deemed as extreme drought.
Every event with a place to put it; 34 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
Drought conditions across northern and central New Mexico continued to deteriorate during the month of August. Moderate to extreme drought worsened to about 95 percent of the state of which about 22 percent was deemed as extreme drought. A well below normal monsoon season continued across the state as an area of high pressure strengthened over the desert southwest. This resulted to record heat and dry conditions continuing throughout the month. Precipitation totals during the month of August were generally less than half an inch across western New Mexico with totals ranging around half an inch to near an inch in central New Mexico. Northeast New Mexico fared a little better with rain totals of about one to two inches, but this was still below normal for the area. August 2020 was one of the warmest and driest on record for New Mexico.
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 31, 10:51 PM MST, 1 hour 9 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 1151 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2020 .AVIATION... 06Z TAF CYCLE Through 3 AM MDT, showers and thunderstorms will gradually diminish and exit south central and eastern parts of the forecast area to the south and southeast. Saturday looks to be a lot like Friday was with scattered-to-numerous showers and thunderstorms tracking quickly south and south southeastward across central and eastern areas at speeds from 15 to 35 kt. Scattered-to-isolated storms are also expected over west central areas. Some thunderstorms should again turn severe with large hail and wet microbursts with damaging winds in the afternoon. Across central and western areas high temperatures a few to around 8 degrees above normal will make density altitude an important consideration for flights near complex terrain. 44 && .PREV DISCUSSION...1054 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2020... .UPDATE... Severe Thunderstorm Watch 408 has expired. Removed headlines from affected zones. Zones are out. && .PREV DISCUSSION...310 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2020... .SYNOPSIS... High pressure aloft will remain west of New Mexico through Monday, with daily rounds of showers and storms to be focused along the central mountain chain and over the eastern plains. By the middle of next week, the stream of monsoon moisture may resume, with showers and storms becoming more numerous over western New Mexico and high temperatures overall cooling down a few degrees. && .DISCUSSION... SHORT TERM...(TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT)... A favorable set-up remains in place for severe weather through this evening. The H5 high remains centered over AZ while a trough is digging south into western KS/OK. Increased northwest flow over the area has allowed for deep shear of about 35-40 knots across much of eastern NM along with CAPE values of 1500-2000 J/kg. Isolated storms have already begun to form over the northern Sangre de Cristos at the time of this writing, and the steering flow will move these storms SSE, hugging the terrain. As such, outflow boundaries will play a part in the storms moving off the high terrain through these evening. With plenty of shear, rotating supercells will be likely initially with the primary threat being large hail. As the evening progresses, the outflow-dominant storms will then likely congeal into an MCS which will shift the focus to damaging winds with wind gusts in excess of 60 mph as they continue to move SSE into southeast NM. The severe weather threat should taper off after about 9 PM, but isolated showers/storms may continue overnight across the southeast. The same overall set-up will stay in place on Saturday with another round of afternoon showers and thunderstorms expected. Central and eastern NM will once again be favored for scattered to numerous storms, but moisture sloshing farther west may allow for an uptick in coverage near the Continental Divide and Gila. The deep shear, moderate instability, and steep lapse rates will still be in place which will once again support a few strong to severe thunderstorms. The area most favored for this will once again be along and east of the central mountain chain. LONG TERM...(SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY)... North to northwest flow aloft will persist Sunday into Monday, with convection favoring the central mountain chain and east. Models are in agreement by the middle of next week, Wednesday or Wednesday night, the upper high will be suppressed far enough to our east and south to allow a resumption of the stream of monsoon moisture into western and central New Mexico. This results in high temperatures especially over western New Mexico cooling to a few degrees below normal, and a corresponding increase in pops. By the weekend though, models also suggest the plume may become confined to the southern half of New Mexico due to somewhat stronger and drier westerly flow developing over the central Rockies. Thereafter the high center may drift back over New Mexico, with a relative downturn in pops and warmer temperatures overall. && .FIRE WEATHER... Daily rounds of scattered to numerous storms will remain in the forecast through at least early next week. Storm coverage will mostly favor central and eastern NM each day, but increasing low- level moisture near the Continental Divide may support isolated storms in the area. Storm chances trend down while temperatures trend up starting on Tuesday as the upper-level high moves over the state. Precipitation chances trend up again by Thursday as the high moves just far enough east to allow for increasing moisture across western NM. && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATE National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 315 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2020 NMZ201>241-011000- Northwest Plateau-Chuska Mountains-Far Northwest Highlands- Northwest Highlands-West Central Plateau-West Central Mountains- West Central Highlands-Southwest Mountains- San Francisco River Valley-Tusas Mountains Including Chama- Jemez Mountains-Glorieta Mesa Including Glorieta Pass- Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains- Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains- East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains-Upper Rio Grande Valley- Espanola Valley-Santa Fe Metro Area- Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area- Lower Rio Grande Valley-Sandia/Manzano Mountains Including Edgewood- Estancia Valley-Central Highlands-South Central Highlands- Upper Tularosa Valley-South Central Mountains- Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass- 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- San Agustin Plains and Adjacent Lowlands- 315 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northern and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight A significant increase in moisture will spread more thunderstorms across central to eastern New Mexico this afternoon through tonight. Some of the storms could be strong to severe with large hail, damaging wind gusts and heavy downpours. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Central to eastern New Mexico will remain favored for strong thunderstorms Saturday through Monday with a few storms producing heavy downpours, large hail, and gusty winds. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters across central to eastern New Mexico are encouraged to report hail and wind gusts and any damage, as well as rainfall amounts through the National Weather Service Albuquerque web site at weather.gov/abq or by calling 1.888.386.7637. You can also submit storm reports and photos on our Facebook page or via Twitter using the hashtag nmwx.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 913 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2020 NMZ233>235-237-010345- Guadalupe County-Curry County-Quay County-De Baca County- 913 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN DE BACA... SOUTHWESTERN QUAY...WEST CENTRAL CURRY AND EAST CENTRAL GUADALUPE COUNTIES UNTIL 945 PM MDT... At 912 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 8 miles east of Puerto De Luna to near Quay. Movement was south at 35 mph. Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these storms. Heavy rain will also be possible with these storms. Locations impacted include... Quay, House, Ragland, Sumner Lake State Park, Sumner Lake, Forrest and Mcalister. This includes Interstate 40 between Mile Markers 278 and 282. && A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for east central New Mexico. LAT...LON 3455 10448 3468 10353 3512 10377 3497 10464 TIME...MOT...LOC 0312Z 348DEG 32KT 3486 10448 3494 10372 Guyer
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 915 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2020 NMZ230-231-010330- Harding County-Union County- 915 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN HARDING AND SOUTHWESTERN UNION COUNTIES UNTIL 930 PM MDT... At 915 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Bueyeros, or 18 miles northeast of Mosquero, moving southeast at 25 mph. Dime 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... Bueyeros. && A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for northeastern New Mexico. LAT...LON 3603 10392 3614 10374 3591 10344 3573 10371 TIME...MOT...LOC 0315Z 324DEG 24KT 3597 10373 Guyer
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 916 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2020 NMZ231-234-010330- Harding County-Quay County- 916 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN HARDING AND NORTHEASTERN QUAY COUNTIES UNTIL 930 PM MDT... At 915 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 14 miles north of Ute Lake State Park, or 23 miles west of Nara Visa, moving southeast at 30 mph. Dime 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... Logan and Ute Lake State Park. && A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for northeastern and east central New Mexico. LAT...LON 3563 10376 3574 10340 3546 10314 3530 10356 TIME...MOT...LOC 0315Z 324DEG 24KT 3559 10351 Guyer
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 948 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2020 NMZ230-231-234-010415- Harding County-Union County-Quay County- 948 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN HARDING... NORTHEASTERN QUAY AND SOUTHERN UNION COUNTIES UNTIL 1015 PM MDT... At 948 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 20 miles southwest of Hayden, or 22 miles west of Nara Visa, moving south at 20 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... Rosebud. && A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for northeastern and east central New Mexico. LAT...LON 3551 10356 3586 10379 3597 10347 3564 10321 TIME...MOT...LOC 0348Z 337DEG 17KT 3571 10348 Guyer
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM
1018 PM MDT FRI JUL 31 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0630 PM TSTM WND DMG 8 ESE ALBUQUERQUE 35.07N 106.49W
07/31/2020 BERNALILLO NM PUBLIC
LARGE PINE TREE TOPPLED NEAR NAKOMIS DRIVE AND OTHER
BRANCHES SNAPPED OFF TREES IN THE AREA.
&&
EVENT NUMBER ABQ202001389
GUYERSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
1128 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2020
NMZ236-238-239-010615-
Eastern Lincoln County-Chaves County Plains-Roosevelt County-
1128 PM MDT Fri Jul 31 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EAST CENTRAL LINCOLN...ROOSEVELT
AND CHAVES COUNTIES UNTIL 1215 AM MDT...
At 1126 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong outflow boundary
along a line extending from 7 miles southwest of Lingo to Roswell to
19 miles east of Arabela. Movement was south at 45 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this boundary. Heavy
rainfall and small hail will be possible over Roosevelt County.
Locations impacted include...
Roswell, Portales, Dexter, Hagerman, Lake Arthur, Elida, Dora,
Causey, Milnesand and Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge.
This includes the following highways...
Highway 285 between Mile Markers 79 and 142.
Highway 380 between Mile Markers 156 and 200.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Blowing dust associated with strong thunderstorm winds can reduce
visibilities below one quarter mile at times.
&&
LAT...LON 3357 10372 3340 10372 3339 10376 3297 10377
3296 10484 3314 10491 3385 10489 3389 10400
3430 10312 3430 10304 3357 10305
TIME...MOT...LOC 0526Z 358DEG 40KT 3372 10323 3346 10400 3349 10485
GuyerThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
34 drought. Local standard time, as filed.
Severe to extreme drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe drought conditions from July 2020 worsened to extreme drought in August.
Extreme drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Extreme drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Extreme drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe to extreme drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Extreme drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe to extreme drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Extreme drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe to extreme drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe to extreme drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe to extreme drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe to extreme drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe to extreme drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe drought conditions from July 2020 continued in August.
Severe drought conditions developed across the Chuska Mountains during August 2020. Below normal precipitation amounts set the stage for deteriorating drought conditions.
Severe to extreme drought conditions developed across the area during August 2020. Below normal precipitation amounts set the stage for deteriorating drought conditions.
Severe to extreme drought conditions developed across the area during August 2020. Below normal precipitation amounts set the stage for deteriorating drought conditions.
Severe drought conditions developed across the area during August 2020. Below normal precipitation amounts set the stage for deteriorating drought conditions.
Severe to extreme drought conditions developed across eastern Lincoln County during August 2020. Below normal precipitation amounts set the stage for deteriorating drought conditions.
Severe to extreme drought conditions developed across southwest Chaves County during August 2020. Below normal precipitation amounts set the stage for deteriorating drought conditions.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, August 2020
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: 908382, 908383, 908384, 908385, 908386, 908387, 908388, 908389, 908390, 908391, 908392, 908393, 908394, 908395, 908396, 908397, 908398, 908399, 908400, 908401, 908402, 908403, 908404, 908405, 908406, 908407, 908408, 908409, 908410, 908411, 908412, 908413, 908414, 908415.