Dry westerly flow over a majority of the state led to a significant decrease in storm coverage on August 9, 2020. Enough low-level moisture was still in place, however, across eastern New Mexico which allowed for another round of daytime thunderstorms.
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.
Dry westerly flow over a majority of the state led to a significant decrease in storm coverage on August 9, 2020. Enough low-level moisture was still in place, however, across eastern New Mexico which allowed for another round of daytime thunderstorms. A brief thunderstorm near Clovis produced a peak wind gust up to 59 mph. Heavy rain was also observed with 1.95 inches of rain recorded at Cannon Air Force Base.
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 9, 1:40 PM MST, 2 hours 18 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 240 PM MDT Sun Aug 9 2020 .SYNOPSIS... The dome of high pressure aloft will wobble around the New Mexico and Old Mexico borderland through the first half of this week. This will keep any additional deep or appreciable monsoon moisture from entering the Land of Enchantment. Currently, moisture is already quite limited with the best storm prospects confined to the south central mountains and east central to southeastern plains. A meager increase in moisture will arrive in the eastern plains late Monday into Tuesday by way of a weak cool front, but this will be short- lived. A drier and hotter period is then expected to follow for Wednesday and Thursday with low rain chances re-appearing late in the week. && .DISCUSSION... SHORT TERM...(TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY)... A high pressure ridge is building over NM with the center near the NM, west TX, Mexico borders. The high will strengthen a little and the center will drift north into NM through Monday and beyond. A back door cold front will slip into the northeast Monday, and press south and west Monday night, perhaps spilling into the RGV late monday night. There will not be any noticeable decrease in showers and storms the rest of this afternoon and evening, as convection is firing east of the Continental divide. The morning ABQ sounding showed moisture in the mid levels with a PW of 0.79 which bears out the western extent of the convection. There will be a downward trend Monday with only isolated showers and storms south and east, with the northwest dry. Temperatures will increase a few more degrees Monday with several records challenged. LONG TERM...(TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY)... True to form the NAM is a bit more bullish about moisture sloshing farther west (across the plains of NM) early Tuesday as a weak backdoor cold front and return flow off of the Gulf of Mexico meet. The GFS is quick to scour and mix this moisture out Tuesday afternoon, but it seems prudent to leave in isolated to scattered coverage across the east to account for the moisture the NAM/SREF are holding onto. A stray cell or two would also be possible over the high terrain of the Gila Tuesday afternoon, but elsewhere dry conditions are expected with above average temperatures. By Wednesday, the surface flow will gain more of a westerly component going toward the afternoon hours, assisting a drying and mixing out of higher surface dewpoints. This will limit storm potential further and temperatures will gain another degree or two, especially in eastern zones. The current forecast high of 105 F at Roswell would tie the daily record (set last year), and as previous shifts have pointed out this is also encroaching toward the need for a heat advisory. The dome of high pressure is modeled to creep northward into NM by Thursday. While a shortwave trough is depicted by the operational GFS over west central NM (on the northwestern periphery of the high), this feature is dampened out on the GEFS ensemble mean, and the operational ECMWF does not show any indication of the feature either. Isolated POPs have been built into the high terrain of our southern zones for Thursday, but this might be a long shot. Elsewhere hot temperatures will prevail with near-record or record readings possible for many zones once again. The upper high shifts toward western NM on Friday, then into AZ on Saturday, and possibly over western AZ by the late weekend. This would make precipitation chances heavily reliant on a shortwave trough dropping southeastward out of CO or a backdoor cold front entering NM, and the northeastern zones would be the main beneficiaries of any moisture and rain from this source. CHJ/52 && .FIRE WEATHER... High pressure centered south of NM with gather strength this week and ever so slowly move north into NM later later in the week. The result will be a gradual decrease in coverage and intensity of showers and thunderstorms with less wetting rains. The most active day may well be the rest of this afternoon and evening. Mid level moisture remains east of the Continental Divide, with isolated to scattered showers over a good portion of the forecast area. Wednesday and Thursday will be mostly dry. There will be an uptick in convection for Friday and next weekend as the high moves to the west, allowing short wave troughs and back door fronts into the east, increasing low level moisture. Haines will be mostly moderate to high through Thursday. Ventilation rates will be good to excellent each day. CHJ && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF CYCLE VFR conditions prevail and are forecast to persist through the TAF period. Another round of showers and thunderstorms is forecast this afternoon/evening. Thunderstorm impacts most likely at KROW, KTCC and KLVS. Showers may move into the vicinity of KGUP, KABQ/KAEG and KSAF, producing strong/erratic wind gusts. Rain-free from around 06Z to 18Z Monday. Then another round of showers and storms Monday afternoon but less coverage than today. Storms will favor the northeast where a back door front will be stalled, and the south central/southeast. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Farmington...................... 56 95 60 93 / 0 5 0 0 Dulce........................... 46 89 48 88 / 0 5 0 0 Cuba............................ 54 90 57 89 / 5 5 5 5 Gallup.......................... 48 91 54 90 / 10 5 0 0 El Morro........................ 49 87 53 85 / 20 10 0 0 Grants.......................... 51 90 55 89 / 10 10 0 5 Quemado......................... 53 87 56 85 / 10 10 0 5 Magdalena....................... 61 89 62 88 / 10 10 5 10 Datil........................... 55 85 58 85 / 20 10 0 10 Reserve......................... 53 92 53 92 / 10 10 0 10 Glenwood........................ 64 97 66 97 / 5 10 0 5 Chama........................... 46 84 48 81 / 10 10 5 10 Los Alamos...................... 61 87 61 86 / 10 10 5 10 Pecos........................... 58 89 58 88 / 20 10 10 10 Cerro/Questa.................... 52 87 54 84 / 10 10 10 10 Red River....................... 47 76 47 77 / 10 20 10 20 Angel Fire...................... 45 81 46 81 / 10 10 10 20 Taos............................ 49 89 49 88 / 10 10 5 10 Mora............................ 52 86 51 85 / 20 10 10 20 Espanola........................ 60 94 61 92 / 10 5 5 5 Santa Fe........................ 60 88 61 89 / 20 10 5 10 Santa Fe Airport................ 58 92 58 93 / 10 5 5 5 Albuquerque Foothills........... 67 94 66 94 / 10 5 5 5 Albuquerque Heights............. 66 95 64 96 / 10 5 5 5 Albuquerque Valley.............. 63 97 65 98 / 10 5 0 5 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 67 96 65 97 / 10 5 0 5 Belen........................... 63 97 63 97 / 10 5 5 5 Bernalillo...................... 64 98 63 97 / 10 5 5 5 Bosque Farms.................... 62 97 63 96 / 10 5 0 5 Corrales........................ 65 97 64 98 / 10 5 5 5 Los Lunas....................... 63 97 63 96 / 10 5 0 0 Placitas........................ 64 91 65 93 / 10 5 5 5 Rio Rancho...................... 66 97 64 96 / 10 5 5 5 Socorro......................... 66 99 66 98 / 10 5 5 10 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 61 87 62 88 / 10 10 5 10 Tijeras......................... 63 90 62 91 / 10 10 5 5 Edgewood........................ 57 92 58 91 / 10 10 5 10 Moriarty/Estancia............... 55 93 56 93 / 20 10 5 10 Clines Corners.................. 57 90 57 89 / 20 10 10 20 Mountainair..................... 60 90 58 90 / 20 10 5 10 Gran Quivira.................... 60 89 58 90 / 20 10 5 10 Carrizozo....................... 65 94 65 95 / 10 10 5 20 Ruidoso......................... 60 86 60 88 / 20 30 5 20 Capulin......................... 54 87 54 87 / 20 20 20 30 Raton........................... 52 91 54 91 / 20 10 20 30 Springer........................ 53 92 55 92 / 20 10 20 30 Las Vegas....................... 55 89 54 88 / 20 10 10 20 Clayton......................... 62 93 61 91 / 20 20 20 30 Roy............................. 59 92 59 90 / 20 10 20 30 Conchas......................... 66 100 65 98 / 20 10 20 20 Santa Rosa...................... 64 97 63 97 / 20 10 10 20 Tucumcari....................... 70 102 67 100 / 20 10 20 20 Clovis.......................... 67 99 66 98 / 20 20 20 20 Portales........................ 68 100 68 100 / 20 20 20 20 Fort Sumner..................... 67 101 67 99 / 20 10 20 20 Roswell......................... 69 103 71 104 / 20 20 10 10 Picacho......................... 64 96 65 95 / 20 30 5 20 Elk............................. 61 93 63 91 / 20 30 5 20 && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 304 AM MDT Sun Aug 9 2020 NMZ201>241-101100- 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- 304 AM MDT Sun Aug 9 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Another round of showers and thunderstorms is expected today across southern and eastern NM. Thunderstorms will be capable of strong downburst winds, lightning strikes, small hail, and heavy rain. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday A significant downtrend in storm coverage is expected for the upcoming week as dry air moves into the state. A few storms will remain possible Monday and Tuesday across the eastern plains where an isolated strong to severe storm may be possible. Temperatures will soar to well above normal areawide Tuesday through Thursday with a few locations in danger of breaking daily record high temperatures. .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. 15
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
453 PM MDT Sun Aug 9 2020
NMZ235-092330-
Curry County-
453 PM MDT Sun Aug 9 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN CURRY COUNTY UNTIL
530 PM MDT...
At 453 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Cannon Air Force Base, or near Clovis, moving east at 10 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Heavy rain and frequent and dangerous cloud to ground lightning will
also be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Clovis, Cannon Air Force Base and Portair.
This includes Highway 60 between Mile Markers 379 and 395.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If threatening weather approaches your area, take shelter in a sturdy
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3430 10334 3443 10339 3458 10315 3433 10304
3432 10305
TIME...MOT...LOC 2253Z 249DEG 9KT 3439 10330
31The Cannon AFB radar (KFDX), 39 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:56 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A peak thunderstorm wind gust of 59 mph was measured at Cannon Air Force Base.
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: 900038.