With an area of high pressure centered near the Four Corners, drier air began to move into western New Mexico. Meanwhile, an upper-level trough that moved through northeastern New Mexico provided the lift necessary for a round of afternoon thunderstorms.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 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.
With an area of high pressure centered near the Four Corners, drier air began to move into western New Mexico. Meanwhile, an upper-level trough that moved through northeastern New Mexico provided the lift necessary for a round of afternoon thunderstorms. As the thunderstorms moved southeast off the higher terrain, they increased in coverage and intensity. A few severe thunderstorms were observed in southeastern New Mexico where strong winds and thunderstorm wind damage were reported. The drier mid-level air that moved into western portions of the state was responsible for virga and gusty winds, and the Albuquerque Sunport recorded a 61 mph wind gust.
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 21, 5:00 PM MST, 1 hour earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 600 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2020 .AVIATION... 00Z TAF CYCLE Isolated showers and thunderstorms will continue to wane across the southwest mountains of NM this evening. Meanwhile, showers and thunderstorms will continue to shift southward east of the central mountain chain through the evening, potentially impacting KLVS and KROW. Brief MVFR cigs are possible, but small hail and gusty/erratic winds are the main threats. These storms have resulted in an outflow boundary that is rapidly pushing westward, and will push through the gaps of the central mountain chain with strong and gusty east winds at KABQ by 0030z or so. Given the strength of winds at KCQC and K0E0, and the pressure gradient difference between KABQ and these sites, have opted to issue an Airport Weather Warning for KABQ for gusts between 35 and 40kts. This boundary may spark additional showers or thunderstorms in the Rio Grande Valley this evening. Another round of showers and thunderstorms will develop over the high terrain on Saturday afternoon. && .PREV DISCUSSION...305 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2020... .SYNOPSIS... Near record to record heat will persist across much of western NM through the weekend. Thereafter, high temperatures will trend downward a few degrees area wide Sunday through Wednesday but will remain warmer than normal. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue to favor the northern and western high terrain, and drift to the south and southwest during the afternoons and evenings. A pattern change may occur later next week with the upper high weakening and shifting south of New Mexico, leading to cooler temperatures but not much precipitation. && .DISCUSSION... Hazy, hot and unstable conditions persist under the influence of high pressure aloft, currently centered over Arizona. A round of daytime heating triggered convection is underway this afternoon, which is likely producing little measurable rain west of the central mountain chain where dewpoint temperatures and diving into the 30s. Better chances for wetting storms and sustained updrafts will be found across the east central and southeast plains this evening thanks to 10-15kts of southeast inflow with dewpoint temps in the upper 40s to mid 50s. Convection to the east is forecast to send outflow through the central mountain chain this evening, boosting moisture a bit across central New Mexico and resulting in a gusty east canyon wind into the Rio Grande and Upper Tularosa Valleys. The other story today is the record and near record heat across much of central and western New Mexico. The upper high is forecast to move northeast toward the Four Corners Saturday, allowing moisture to creep further north and west into our area. This should lead to a slight uptick in storm coverage locally, but wetting storms will still be hard to come by. Although temperatures will come down an average 1-2 degrees Saturday compared to today, much of western New Mexico will experience record or near- record heat once again. LONG TERM...(SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY)... The upper high will continue to weaken, then drift over northern New Mexico and Colorado early to mid next week. Overall, puny crops of showers and storms will continue to develop over the higher terrain each afternoon and drift to the southwest and over the lower elevations late in the afternoons and early evenings. Late next week, the upper high may be suppressed south of New Mexico or Arizona, with zonal flow dominating the central Rockies. The GFS is hinting a shot of monsoon moisture could be drawn up into New Mexico around the end of August, but the ECMWF is less than enthusiastic. && .FIRE WEATHER... Hot, dry and unstable conditions persist today across western New Mexico, with isolated dry showers and storms. Showers and storms across eastern New Mexico this evening will bring better chances for wetting rain, especially across the east central plains. The trend going through early next week is for a gradual increase in moisture resulting in a slight downtrend in temperatures and a slight uptrend in chances for wetting rain. Until at least Sunday, storms will favor strong/erratic wind gusts with low chances for wetting rain. Humidity recovery will also show a slow uptrend through early next week. The latest medium range model solutions show the pattern breaking late next week into next weekend with the upper high moving east or south of the area. && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 308 AM MDT Fri Aug 21 2020 NMZ201>241-221100- 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- 308 AM MDT Fri Aug 21 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Isolated to scattered storms producing strong outflow winds continue this afternoon, favoring areas along and just east of the central mountain chain. Near record to record heat with highs approaching the 100F mark also continues for many lower elevations areas across northern and central NM. Heat related ailments will be a concern for the young and elderly as well as those working outside during the afternoon hours. Some smoke from fires in Colorado may settle into northern valley areas this morning and again tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Strong outflow winds emanating from scattered storms moving south to southwest off the northern and western mountains continues through the weekend and early next week. Near record to record heat continues to raise concerns for heat related ailments through Sunday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report damaging winds and hail 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. 24
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 408 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2020 NMZ231-232-212245- Eastern San Miguel County-Harding County- 408 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN SAN MIGUEL AND CENTRAL HARDING COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM MDT... At 408 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Bueyeros, or 15 miles northeast of Mosquero, moving southwest at 25 mph. Penny size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Mosquero, Bueyeros and Solano. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Accumulations of small hail on roads can create very slick and hazardous driving conditions. && LAT...LON 3608 10384 3598 10366 3566 10385 3588 10421 TIME...MOT...LOC 2208Z 033DEG 21KT 3597 10381 33
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 505 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2020 NMZ226-212330- South Central Mountains- 505 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTH CENTRAL LINCOLN COUNTY UNTIL 530 PM MDT... At 505 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Glencoe, or 14 miles northeast of Ruidoso, moving south at 25 mph. Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Lincoln, Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, Fort Stanton, Glencoe and Lincoln State Monument. This includes Highway 380 between Mile Markers 88 and 92, and between Mile Markers 95 and 98. && LAT...LON 3354 10553 3350 10538 3330 10534 3331 10561 TIME...MOT...LOC 2305Z 001DEG 23KT 3343 10546 33
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 557 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2020 NMZ223-233-220030- Central Highlands-Guadalupe County- 557 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN GUADALUPE AND EAST CENTRAL TORRANCE COUNTIES UNTIL 630 PM MDT... At 557 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12 miles west of Pastura, or 17 miles north of Vaughn, moving south at 35 mph. Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Vaughn and Pintada. This includes the following highways... Highway 285 between Mile Markers 192 and 204. Highway 60 between Mile Markers 258 and 281. && LAT...LON 3494 10523 3489 10502 3443 10502 3455 10543 TIME...MOT...LOC 2357Z 016DEG 29KT 3485 10516 33
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 603 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2020 NMZ236-237-220030- Roosevelt County-De Baca County- 603 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN ROOSEVELT AND EAST CENTRAL DE BACA COUNTIES UNTIL 630 PM MDT... At 603 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Tolar, or 19 miles east of Fort Sumner, moving south at 10 mph. Penny size hail will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Taiban and Tolar. This includes Highway 60 between Mile Markers 340 and 355. && LAT...LON 3459 10398 3456 10377 3421 10379 3426 10411 TIME...MOT...LOC 0003Z 010DEG 11KT 3451 10390 33
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 616 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2020 NMZ235-220045- Curry County- 616 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EAST CENTRAL CURRY COUNTY UNTIL 645 PM MDT... At 615 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Broadview, or 22 miles north of Clovis, moving south at 20 mph. Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Clovis and Ranchvale. && LAT...LON 3479 10337 3480 10315 3449 10307 3446 10343 TIME...MOT...LOC 0015Z 355DEG 18KT 3473 10326 33
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 631 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2020 NMZ236>238-220100- Chaves County Plains-Roosevelt County-De Baca County- 631 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL ROOSEVELT... SOUTHEASTERN DE BACA AND NORTHEASTERN CHAVES COUNTIES UNTIL 700 PM MDT... At 631 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 17 miles south of Tolar, or 27 miles southeast of Fort Sumner, moving south at 25 mph. Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of west central Roosevelt, southeastern De Baca and northeastern Chaves Counties. This includes Highway 60 near Mile Marker 344. && LAT...LON 3446 10397 3434 10374 3393 10375 3393 10415 TIME...MOT...LOC 0031Z 003DEG 20KT 3420 10390 33
The Albuquerque radar (KABX), 137 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:01 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning, 1 hail, 1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A lightning strike killed two cows at the Pedernal COOP ranch. Damage amounts are estimated for the loss of cattle property.
A trained spotter reported one inch hail from a severe thunderstorm northwest of Portales.
A trained spotter measured a 61 mph wind gust with a severe thunderstorm east of Floyd. These strong winds were also responsible for wind damage in the area. The siding on a home was damaged, and large tree limbs were broken. The thunderstorm was also responsible for damaging 120 acres of corn. Wind damage to crops and a home were estimated to be closer to 75 mph. Damage amounts are a rough estimate.
A 61 mph wind gust was measured at the Albuquerque Sunport from a dry microburst.
A 65 mph wind gust was measured at the Roswell airport from a thunderstorm outflow boundary.
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: 913232, 906599, 906606, 906617, 906611.