A strong backdoor cold front moved into northeast and east central New Mexico on June 22, 2020. Instability and shear along this boundary combined with northwest flow aloft and deep moisture set the stage for severe weather across the eastern plains.
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.
A strong backdoor cold front moved into northeast and east central New Mexico on June 22, 2020. Instability and shear along this boundary combined with northwest flow aloft and deep moisture set the stage for severe weather across the eastern plains. Storms initially formed early in the afternoon over the northern high terrain of New Mexico before moving southeast onto the plains where they intensified through the evening hours. The most intense storm was near Portales where hail up to the size of tennis balls was reported.
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 Jun 22, 4:56 PM MST, 2 hours 19 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 556 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2020 .AVIATION... 00Z TAF CYCLE Another stronger cold front is advancing toward northeast New Mexico and will quickly overtake the eastern half of the state by midnight. Showers and thunderstorms will continue to develop near and ahead of the front in eastern New Mexico with winds turning gusty from the north or northeast. As the front spills into the Rio Grande valley, gusts will accelerate from the east with a possible Airport Weather Warning needed this evening for ABQ due to gusts reaching 35 kt. Storms will settle and diminish into the early morning hours Tuesday in eastern New Mexico, but low stratus clouds could produce areas of IFR to MVFR ceilings, especially along the east slopes of the central mountain chain. A more widespread crop of showers and thunderstorms is then expected across the eastern half of New Mexico Tuesday afternoon with the potential for severe cells with large hail and damaging downburst winds. 52 && .PREV DISCUSSION...324 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2020... .SYNOPSIS... Daily rounds of shower and thunderstorm activity is expected for much of eastern New Mexico over the next several days. Severe weather in the form of large hail and damaging wind gusts will be possible with these storms, especially today and Tuesday, but also to a lesser extent on Wednesday and Thursday. Storms tonight will push an outflow boundary westward through the gaps of the central mountain chain, resulting in an east canyon wind in the Rio Grande Valley near or shortly after midnight. The moisture increase associated with the outflow boundary will set the stage for a few storms west of the central mountain chain Tuesday and Wednesday. && .DISCUSSION... SHORT TERM...(TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT)... A moist and very unstable atmosphere along with good low level directional shear will lead to some strong to severe storms across the eastern plains the remainder of this afternoon into the evening. With another back door front down the east tonight, enhanced by the convection, will keep the east plenty moist and unstable along with good shear for Tuesday. Temperatures in the east will be cooler Tuesday, below normal. A solid east canyon wind into the Rio Grande Valley tonight may allow for a few storms in the Valleys Tuesday afternoon along with slightly cooler temperatures. The west will remain hot and dry. LONG TERM...(WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY)... Wednesday's convection will somewhat depend on the previous nights convection and associated outflow boundaries. Otherwise, northwest flow aloft will persist over NM with enough moisture in place along and east of the central mountain chain for another round of storms to develop. Storms will first develop over the higher terrain before shifting southeastward. Storm coverage will likely be less than on Tuesday, but nonetheless, will have the potential for severe weather. Any severe weather may not be as organized as today and Tuesday as 0-6km shear values are only around 20-25kt, though CAPE remains near 1000J/kg. Hail and damaging winds will be the main threats. Most models agree on Thursday that an upper level trough will slide into the Great Basin while weaker disturbances move over CO and northern NM ahead of it. These disturbances will help spark additional showers and thunderstorms east of the central mountain chain. Again, some storms may be strong or severe with hail and strong wind gusts. Meanwhile, drier air will filter into western NM, and breezy southwest winds will help scour out any lingering moisture. As the Great Basin trough shifts eastward on Friday and Friday night, drier air will continue to filter into the state from the west. Shower and thunderstorm chances will dwindle further, though at least isolated activity will remain possible across the plains. Strong storm will remain possible. Activity will continue to dwindle through the weekend as the drier air continues to invade the state. CHJ/34 && .FIRE WEATHER... A hot, dry and unstable airmass will continue across western NM, mainly west of the Continental Divide, through this week. The east will be moist and unstable with daily rounds of showers and thunderstorms into the weekend. Some of these storms through this evening and Tuesday afternoon/evening will be strong to severe. In between will be a battle zone with the potential for some convection. Best chances will be Tuesday and Wednesday. Much of the east will receive significant wetting footprints this week. It will remain hot in the west with above normal temperatures. Cooling in the east Tuesday will give way to gradually warmer temperatures through the rest of the week. A trough sweeping across NM this weekend will bring a drying trend. CHJ && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 436 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2020 NMZ201>241-231100- 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- 436 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...Tonight There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across northeast and far east central New Mexico through mid evening. Main threats are large hail and damaging wind gusts. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Severe weather is likely again on Tuesday afternoon and evening across much of eastern New Mexico. Large hail and damaging wind gusts remain the main threats. Daily rounds of shower and thunderstorm activity are expected Wednesday through Saturday across eastern New Mexico. A few strong or severe storms are likely each day, but especially so Wednesday and Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report any severe weather 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. 34
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 346 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2020 NMZ230-231-222215- Harding County-Union County- 346 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN HARDING AND CENTRAL UNION COUNTIES UNTIL 415 PM MDT... At 346 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8 miles west of Bueyeros, or 17 miles north of Mosquero, moving east at 10 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... Bueyeros. 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. && A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for northeastern New Mexico. LAT...LON 3588 10391 3606 10395 3618 10367 3587 10355 TIME...MOT...LOC 2146Z 252DEG 10KT 3600 10384 34
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 358 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2020 NMZ230-222215- Union County- 358 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL UNION COUNTY UNTIL 415 PM MDT... At 357 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13 miles southwest of Grenville, or 24 miles south of Des Moines, moving southeast 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 County. && A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for northeastern New Mexico. LAT...LON 3638 10389 3652 10378 3649 10350 3624 10370 TIME...MOT...LOC 2157Z 295DEG 12KT 3642 10372 Guyer
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
437 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2020
NMZ230-222245-
Union County-
437 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL UNION COUNTY UNTIL 445 PM
MDT...
At 436 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles south of Mount Dora, or 19 miles west of Clayton, moving
southeast at 25 mph.
Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
This storm will move along U.S. 56 to the northeast of Pennington.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for
northeastern New Mexico.
LAT...LON 3634 10366 3648 10359 3647 10334 3633 10332
3624 10351
TIME...MOT...LOC 2236Z 294DEG 24KT 3635 10351
GuyerSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 447 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2020 NMZ230-222315- Union County- 447 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL UNION COUNTY UNTIL 515 PM MDT... At 447 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11 miles south of Mount Dora, or 20 miles west of Clayton, moving southeast at 15 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. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of central Union County. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If threatening weather approaches your area, take shelter in a sturdy building. && A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for northeastern New Mexico. LAT...LON 3629 10365 3646 10354 3637 10323 3623 10353 TIME...MOT...LOC 2247Z 299DEG 11KT 3635 10352 34
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 459 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2020 NMZ230-231-222330- Harding County-Union County- 459 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN HARDING AND SOUTHEASTERN UNION COUNTIES UNTIL 530 PM MDT... At 458 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Sedan, or 17 miles north of Amistad, moving east at 30 mph. Penny size hail, heavy rain, and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Hayden and Sedan. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If threatening weather approaches your area, take shelter in a sturdy building. && A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for northeastern New Mexico. LAT...LON 3594 10340 3625 10349 3645 10304 3596 10304 TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 251DEG 28KT 3617 10318 34
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 507 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2020 NMZ230-222330- Union County- 507 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN UNION COUNTY UNTIL 530 PM MDT... At 507 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Amistad, moving east at 30 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Amistad. 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. && A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for northeastern New Mexico. LAT...LON 3579 10323 3594 10330 3596 10304 3582 10304 TIME...MOT...LOC 2307Z 251DEG 28KT 3590 10318 34
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Trained spotters in Portales reported large hail in the area ranging from half-dollar to tennis ball sized hail.
A trained spotter reported quarter sized hail near Causey.
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, June 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: 888923, 888924.