The combination of strong afternoon heating with a thin layer of mid level moisture over northern New Mexico allowed isolated showers and thunderstorms to develop over the area on May 11, 2020. One of the stronger dry thunderstorms near Abiquiu produced a brief wind gust up to 59 mph.
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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.
The combination of strong afternoon heating with a thin layer of mid level moisture over northern New Mexico allowed isolated showers and thunderstorms to develop over the area on May 11, 2020. One of the stronger dry thunderstorms near Abiquiu produced a brief wind gust up to 59 mph. Tumbleweeds and blowing dust were reported with these stronger winds.
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 May 11, 4:30 PM MST, 2 hours 46 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 530 PM MDT Mon May 11 2020 .AVIATION... 00Z TAF CYCLE Storms are becoming more isolated across western NM not expected to persist past 02Z-04Z, sudden wind shifts from outflow remain the main hazard near KFMN. Showers and storms are more focused over eastern NM with a line of strong storms moving SE approaching KTCC this hour. TEMPO tsra with vrb gusty winds will be the most likely hazard with hail and MVFR vis from any direct hit. Storms will continue moving eastward into TX almost entirely exiting the state by 03Z. Skies on the whole gradually clear heading into Tuesday morning with potential for some low cigs lingering around KTCC. 24 && .PREV DISCUSSION...242 PM MDT Mon May 11 2020... .SYNOPSIS... Scattered to numerous showers and storms this afternoon will persist well into the evening hours with a slight risk of some becoming strong to severe over eastern NM. Large hail, damaging winds, and frequent lightning will be the main hazards. Above normal warmth, dry, breezy westerly flow takes over Tuesday through the rest of the work week. Elevated to critical fire weather will be the main weather concerns each afternoon through Thursday before winds relax a bit Friday. Overall drier weather remains into the weekend with some hope of storms returning Saturday to far eastern NM. && .DISCUSSION... .SHORT TERM (TODAY THROUGH TUESDAY)... Storm coverage has increased over much of central and western NM this afternoon. Trends are increasing across eastern NM where the greater risk for strong to severe storms exists through early this evening. A weak boundary sagging into far northeast NM tonight may allow for an area of fog to develop after midnight, mainly within Union County. Much drier air will return to the region Tuesday in the wake of the upper level wave passing thru today. Temperatures will trend warmer again with breezy southwest winds. LONG TERM...(WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY)... The unfortunate return of warmer than normal, dry, breezy westerly flow persists through the much of the Long Term period. Wednesday will not seem much different from Tuesday with breezy W/SW winds peaking in the afternoon 20 to 25 mph. The overall weather pattern remains consistent for Thursday with a small drop in wind speeds as mixing heights lessen somewhat. Some cooler air will try to sneak into far northeastern NM. This cooler air makes it a bit further into the northeastern plains Friday from the help of thunderstorm outflow further north into CO. An overall tranquil weather pattern sets up Friday heading into the weekend with no real synoptic features impacting New Mexico. Daytime highs remain near to above normal with lighter winds. There is some hope of showers/thunderstorms returning to far eastern NM Saturday. Model variability is high regarding a backdoor cold front entering that part of the state and where a dry-line sets up, either in far eastern NM or further east into the TX Panhandle. Guyer/24 && .FIRE WEATHER... Showers and thunderstorms over western NM today have produced small wetting footprints with frequent lightning strikes and gusty winds. Storms along and east of the central mt chain will be capable of producing heavier rainfall through this evening. Much drier air will push back into the state Tuesday and persist over the area through the remainder of the week. Daily bouts of min RH near 10% with poor to fair recoveries, high haines, and breezy southwest winds will impact nearly the entire area. Marginal to critical fire weather conditions are possible everyday for much of the state. All eyes will shift to potential wildfire starts in this pattern as hundreds of lightning strikes have occurred in areas that have been very dry. Guyer && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 234 AM MDT Mon May 11 2020 NMZ201>241-121100- 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- 234 AM MDT Mon May 11 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Numerous to widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop today, generally favoring central and eastern NM. A few storms across the east may become strong to severe with frequent lightning, large hail, and damaging winds the main threats. There is a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms across much of the eastern plains with a slight risk for Quay, Curry, and Roosevelt counties. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Dry conditions return on Tuesday. Strong winds are expected to develop on Wednesday with the strongest winds across the northeast and east central plains. This may result in critical fire weather conditions in this area Wednesday afternoon. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report any severe weather through the National Weather Service Albuquerque web site at weather.gov/abq or by calling 1.888.386.7637. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines. You can also submit storm reports and photos on our Facebook page or via Twitter using the hashtag nmwx. 15
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
550 PM MDT Mon May 11 2020
NMZ238-120015-
Chaves County Plains-
550 PM MDT Mon May 11 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL CHAVES COUNTY UNTIL 615
PM MDT...
At 550 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15
miles west of Roswell, moving east at 15 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Roswell, Dexter, Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge, Bottomless Lakes State
Park, Roswell Correctional Facility and Midway.
This includes the following highways...
Highway 285 between Mile Markers 86 and 104.
Highway 380 between Mile Markers 156 and 168.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If threatening weather approaches your area, take shelter in a sturdy
building.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM MDT for
southeastern New Mexico.
LAT...LON 3328 10490 3331 10490 3331 10489 3334 10489
3345 10485 3348 10425 3305 10440
TIME...MOT...LOC 2350Z 282DEG 15KT 3335 10480
ShoemakeSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 616 PM MDT Mon May 11 2020 NMZ234-235-120045- Curry County-Quay County- 616 PM MDT Mon May 11 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN QUAY AND NORTHEASTERN CURRY COUNTIES UNTIL 645 PM MDT... At 616 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 12 miles south of Nara Visa to 8 miles north of Broadview. Movement was east at 35 mph. Dime size hail will be possible with these storms. Heavy rain will also be possible with these storms. Locations impacted include... Glenrio, Wheatland and Bard. This includes Interstate 40 between Mile Markers 359 and 373. && A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM MDT for east central New Mexico. LAT...LON 3483 10340 3552 10313 3551 10304 3483 10304 TIME...MOT...LOC 0016Z 277DEG 32KT 3543 10305 3494 10321 Shoemake
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
617 PM MDT Mon May 11 2020
NMZ235>238-120045-
Chaves County Plains-Roosevelt County-Curry County-De Baca County-
617 PM MDT Mon May 11 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN ROOSEVELT...EAST CENTRAL
DE BACA...NORTHEASTERN CHAVES AND SOUTHERN CURRY COUNTIES UNTIL 645
PM MDT...
At 617 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 13 miles north of Saint Vrain to 7 miles south
of Taiban. Movement was south at 25 mph.
Dime size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Clovis, Melrose, Floyd, Saint Vrain, Tolar, Cannon Air Force Base,
Ranchvale, Oasis State Park and Portair.
This includes Highway 60 between Mile Markers 342 and 392.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM MDT for
southeastern and east central New Mexico.
LAT...LON 3434 10308 3391 10403 3436 10414 3461 10372
3461 10371 3462 10371 3469 10358 3469 10350
3474 10349 3475 10348
TIME...MOT...LOC 0017Z 347DEG 21KT 3461 10352 3435 10406
ShoemakeSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 630 PM MDT Mon May 11 2020 NMZ201-203-204-120100- Far Northwest Highlands-Northwest Highlands-Northwest Plateau- 630 PM MDT Mon May 11 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL RIO ARRIBA... NORTHWESTERN SANDOVAL AND SOUTHEASTERN SAN JUAN COUNTIES UNTIL 700 PM MDT... At 629 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 9 miles west of El Huerfano Trading Post to 7 miles northwest of Ojo Encino. Movement was northeast at 25 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these storms. Locations impacted include... Bloomfield, Blanco Trading Post, Nageezi, Counselor and El Huerfano Trading Post. This includes the following highways... Highway 550 between Mile Markers 81 and 144, and between Mile Markers 147 and 155. Highway 64 between Mile Markers 64 and 70. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If threatening weather approaches your area, take shelter in a sturdy building. && LAT...LON 3677 10798 3621 10699 3598 10740 3639 10805 TIME...MOT...LOC 0029Z 210DEG 21KT 3642 10801 3605 10741 Shoemake
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 646 PM MDT Mon May 11 2020 NMZ227-228-120115- Far Northeast Highlands-Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass- 646 PM MDT Mon May 11 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL COLFAX COUNTY UNTIL 715 PM MDT... At 645 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9 miles southwest of Raton Crews Airport, or 18 miles southwest of Raton, moving southeast at 30 mph. Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Maxwell. This includes the following highways... Interstate 25 between Mile Markers 421 and 438. Highway 64 between Mile Markers 323 and 336. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Accumulations of small hail on roads can create very slick and hazardous driving conditions. && LAT...LON 3669 10478 3678 10459 3655 10427 3640 10453 TIME...MOT...LOC 0045Z 314DEG 25KT 3666 10464 Shoemake
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
700 PM MDT Mon May 11 2020
NMZ203-204-211-120130-
Far Northwest Highlands-Northwest Highlands-Jemez Mountains-
700 PM MDT Mon May 11 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN RIO ARRIBA AND NORTH
CENTRAL SANDOVAL COUNTIES UNTIL 730 PM MDT...
At 700 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles northeast of Counselor, or 32 miles northwest of Cuba, moving
east at 40 mph.
Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Heron Lake State Park, El Vado, El Vado Lake State Park and Lindrith.
&&
LAT...LON 3682 10691 3636 10652 3633 10654 3632 10659
3630 10659 3618 10727 3641 10758
TIME...MOT...LOC 0100Z 253DEG 34KT 3637 10734
ShoemakeThe Albuquerque radar (KABX), 130 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:15 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A dry thunderstorm produced a brief high wind gust up to 59 mph near Abiquiu.
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, May 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: 881471.