With a low pressure system over the Great Basin and a dryline sharpening over eastern New Mexico, it was another favorable set up for severe weather across the area on May 22, 2021. With a warm and unstable atmosphere across much of central and eastern New Mexico, thunderstorms developed early in the day across the central high terrain.
Every event with a place to put it; 3 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 a low pressure system over the Great Basin and a dryline sharpening over eastern New Mexico, it was another favorable set up for severe weather across the area on May 22, 2021. With a warm and unstable atmosphere across much of central and eastern New Mexico, thunderstorms developed early in the day across the central high terrain. Thunderstorms generally moved in a northerly to northeasterly direction where they continued to intensify as the day progressed. Several reports of large hail were received with one particular thunderstorm producing 1 inch to 1.5 inch hail around Santa Fe. These thunderstorms also produced very strong winds with wind speeds near 70 mph across eastern New Mexico. Meanwhile, dry, southwest flow continued across western New Mexico, and deep mixing resulted in windy conditions across the area. A few locations west of the Rio Grande Valley recorded non-thunderstorm winds near 60 mph during the afternoon.
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 22, 4:45 AM MST, 6 hours 20 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 545 AM MDT Sat May 22 2021 .AVIATION... 12Z TAF CYCLE VFR conditions across central and western NM, except for areas of blowing dust late afternoon which may occasionally reduce vsbys to MVFR. It's a different story across eastern NM where showers and thunderstorms will be common, especially this afternoon and evening. Some storms could be severe with MVFR to IFR conditions for a brief time. Also, MVFR conditions through 15z in low stratus. This includes KROW and KTCC. Otherwise, strong/gusty southerly low level flow will prevail this afternoon with wind gusts of 35kt to 45kt common. Stronger wind gusts are likely with thunderstorms, and they may contain large hail and damaging winds across the east. && .PREV DISCUSSION...333 AM MDT Sat May 22 2021... .SYNOPSIS... Several rounds of severe weather is expected today through Monday across eastern New Mexico. Severe thunderstorm coverage will likely be greatest today, with storms impacting areas closer to the Texas border Sunday and Monday. All types of severe weather can be expected, including large hail, damaging wind gusts, heavy rain and even a tornado is possible. Meanwhile, western New Mexico will be extremely dry. Critical fire weather conditions are expected this afternoon and early evening from the middle Rio Grande Valley westward. Dry and breezy conditions are expected for the mid week period. Then, a potential backdoor cold front may replenish the moisture across eastern New Mexico Thursday night resulting in more storms for Friday. && .DISCUSSION... SHORT TERM...(TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY)... The closed low over the Great Basin is just spinning around and around as additional short waves rotate around it. The low will head northeast tonight and Sunday. There's plenty of moisture in the east with dewpoints in the 50s and 60s, compared to the 30s in the west. There is also plenty of instability in the east with Li's of -5C to -6C and surface based CAPE up to 1400 J/kg. There is some rotation forecast as well with helicity values up to 300 meters squared seconds squared in the northeast Highlands. Putting these all together and there is a pretty good chance of isolated severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening in all of the east. Highs today will be much warmer and windy in the west, but cooler and breezy in the east. The convection will diminish tonight but not end in the east. Sunday will be drier overall with storms delegated to just the eastern plains. But once again, strong to severe storms will be possible. LONG TERM...(SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY)... On Sunday evening, a few severe storms may continue near the Texas and Oklahoma borders, east of the dryline. Storms should eventually shift northeastward into Texas. Outflow from these storms combined with normal diurnal sloshing, will send the dryline back westward, not quite to the east slopes of the Central Mountain Chain. The moisture replenishment will be short-lived as the mid level dry slot continues to surge northeastward through the state overnight and daytime heating on Monday will result in much of the moisture getting mixed out. The exception will be across portions of east central and southeast NM where the dryline will remain in place, and yet another round of strong to severe storms may develop. Forcing overall will be less than over the weekend, and shear will be rather weak, at least until the LLJ kicks in toward sunset. Nonetheless, a few storms with damaging winds and hail are possible. The dryline will again slosh back westward Monday night, but dry southwest flow will return on Tuesday, mixing the dryline to the Texas border and thus limiting potential for any storms. Rather, breezy conditions will be the rule areawide. It should also be noted that while the east sees additional rounds of thunderstorms, western NM will be extremely dry. Excellent radiational cooling will allow minimum temps to drop well below normal for portions of western NM. Even places as far east as the Estancia Valley could see near freezing temperatures Monday night, if the moisture does not reach that far west. Dry southwest flow will remain in place on Wednesday, with some afternoon breezes likely. Thereafter, models are in disagreement regarding the timing of a backdoor cold front on Thursday, though models generally agree it will push through the plains by Thursday night. The moisture replenishment could set the stage for more thunderstorms on Friday. CHJ/34 && .FIRE WEATHER... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING FOR WESTERN AND PORTIONS OF CENTRAL NEW MEXICO DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY... It's another day of mixed weather conditions, with the west warm, windy and dry, while the east will have widespread showers and thunderstorms, and some will likely be severe anywhere in the eastern zones. Conditions in much of the west will be ideal for critical fire weather with warm, windy and very dry conditions. The Red Flag Warning will remain the same. Showers and thunderstorms will not go away tonight, although the threat of severe weather should diminish after midnight. Drier air will arrive from the west Sunday, thanks to a cold front sweeping across the state. It will be cooler in the west with less wind, while the east will be windy and warmer. Critical fire conditions could be reached for a couple of hours around Clines Corners in the afternoon. It does not look like widespread critical fire weather conditions. The eastern plains will be the only area to get any showers and storms Sunday afternoon, with a few strong to severe storms possible. Next week will be mostly free of critical fire condtions. A drying trend is forecast for Monday through Thursday. Thunderstorms may return to the east Friday and Saturday. CHJ && .AVIATION... 06Z TAF CYCLE VFR conditions prevail across central and western NM and are forecast to persist, except for areas of blowing dust late Saturday afternoon which may occasionally reduce vsbys to MVFR. Different story across eastern NM where storms will be common, as well as areas of MVFR overnight in low stratus. A more robust round of storms is forecast late Saturday afternoon and may impact KLVS and KROW prior to 00Z. Thunderstorm impacts at KTCC will be between 03Z and 06Z Saturday night. Otherwise, strong/gusty southerly low level flow will prevail Saturday afternoon with wind gusts of 35kt to 45kt common. Stronger wind gusts are likely with thunderstorms, and may they contain large hail and damaging winds across the east. && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Red Flag Warning from noon today to 8 PM MDT this evening for the following zones... NMZ101-105-106-109. Wind Advisory from noon today to 7 PM MDT this evening for the following zones... NMZ202-204>208-210-211-216-217-219>221-241. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 323 AM MDT Sat May 22 2021 NMZ201>241-231200- 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- 323 AM MDT Sat May 22 2021 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon through tonight across the upper Rio Grande Valley and areas along and east of the Central Mountain Chain. Large hail, damaging wind gusts, and heavy rain are likely, however, a tornado cannot be ruled out. Burn scar flooding, particularly on the Ute Park burn scar, is also possible. Critical fire weather conditions are expected across all of western New Mexico and the middle Rio Grande Valley this afternoon and early evening. Southerly winds will gust near 50 mph while humidity values plummet below 15 percent. Areas of blowing dust are possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Strong to severe thunderstorms are also possible across far eastern New Mexico on Sunday and across portions of east central and southeast New Mexico on Monday. Large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain are the main concerns. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report rainfall amounts and any severe weather 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
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM
931 AM MDT SAT MAY 22 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0742 PM TSTM WND GST 4 WSW PORTALES 34.16N 103.41W
05/21/2021 E60 MPH ROOSEVELT NM TRAINED SPOTTER
0743 PM TSTM WND GST PORTALES 34.18N 103.34W
05/21/2021 M74 MPH ROOSEVELT NM TRAINED SPOTTER
0750 PM TSTM WND GST PORTALES 34.18N 103.35W
05/21/2021 E65 MPH ROOSEVELT NM TRAINED SPOTTER
0916 PM TSTM WND GST 7 ENE TUCUMCARI 35.21N 103.61W
05/21/2021 M81 MPH QUAY NM ASOS
KTCC ASOS.
&&
EVENT NUMBER ABQ202102263 ABQ202102262 ABQ202102264 ABQ202102265
RJOJOLAPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM
1049 AM MDT SAT MAY 22 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0740 PM HAIL 3 SW PORTALES 34.15N 103.38W
05/21/2021 M0.75 INCH ROOSEVELT NM COCORAHS
&&
EVENT NUMBER ABQ202102266
12PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM
1201 PM MDT SAT MAY 22 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0920 PM TSTM WND GST GRADY 34.82N 103.32W
05/09/2021 M84 MPH CURRY NM PUBLIC
SCHOOLNET OBSERVATION FROM GRADY SCHOOLS
REPORTED A PEAK WIND OF 84 MPH.
&&Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 1204 PM MDT Sat May 22 2021 NMZ212-214-217-218-221830- Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains-Espanola Valley-Santa Fe Metro Area-Glorieta Mesa Including Glorieta Pass- 1204 PM MDT Sat May 22 2021 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN SAN MIGUEL... NORTHEASTERN SANTA FE AND WESTERN MORA COUNTIES UNTIL 1230 PM MDT... At 1204 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Canada De Los Alamos, or near Santa Fe, moving north at 35 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Santa Fe, Pojoaque, Eldorado At Santa Fe, Canada De Los Alamos, Nambe Lake, Nambe Pueblo, Hyde Memorial State Park, Rio En Medio in Santa Fe County, Tesuque and Pojoaque Pueblo. This includes the following highways... Interstate 25 between Mile Markers 280 and 296. Highway 285 between Mile Markers 289 and 290. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Accumulations of small hail on roads can create very slick and hazardous driving conditions. && LAT...LON 3550 10583 3558 10601 3597 10604 3593 10564 TIME...MOT...LOC 1804Z 191DEG 31KT 3562 10592 Shoemake
The Albuquerque radar (KABX), 102 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:05 UTC.
11 hail, 4 thunderstorm wind, 3 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A CoCoRaHS observer reported one inch hail from a severe thunderstorm northeast of Santa Fe.
One inch hail was reported from a severe thunderstorm southwest of Santa Fe.
A COOP observer reported penny size hail from a strong thunderstorm moving north near Santa Fe.
Various sources in Glorieta reported quarter to ping pong size hail from a severe thunderstorm that was moving north through the area. The hail was also responsible for causing minor damage to one Glorieta resident's house by ripping holes in their gutters and tearing off pieces of stucco from their house. Damages are estimated for the house damage.
An ASOS station in Albuquerque measured a peak non-thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph.
A CoCoRaHS observer near Capitan reported penny size hail from a strong thunderstorm moving northeast through the area.
Ping pong size hail was reported from a severe thunderstorm moving northeast through Fort Stanton.
A trained spotter reported two inch hail from a severe thunderstorm near Rociada.
A weather station near Red Hill measured a peak non-thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph.
Various sources reported nickel to quarter size hail from a severe thunderstorm near Agua Fria.
Various sources reported penny to quarter size hail from a severe thunderstorm southwest of Santa Fe.
A COOP observer near Santa Fe reported penny size hail from a strong thunderstorm. The hail reportedly caused damage and dents to a Santa Fe resident's three cars. Damages are estimated for the dent damage to the three cars.
Half dollar size hail was reported from a severe thunderstorm near Cimarron.
A trained spotter measured a 60 mph wind gust from a severe thunderstorm near Hagerman.
A weather station near Archuleta measured a 67 mph non-thunderstorm wind gust.
An ASOS station in Roswell measured a 66 mph wind gust from a severe thunderstorm.
A trained spotter near Newkirk measured a 68 mph wind gust associated with an outflow boundary from a severe thunderstorm.
An ASOS station in Tucumcari measured a 69 mph wind gust from a severe thunderstorm.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, May 2021
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: 950880, 950895, 950896, 950900, 950902, 950901, 950903, 950904, 950905, 950907, 950909, 950908, 950910, 950911, 950912, 950913, 950914, 950915.