Higher low-level moisture on July 13th and a backdoor cold front replenishing this moisture for July 14th and 15th combined with robust upper level wind shear produced three days of severe weather across eastern NM. Severe weather impacts were limited to northeastern NM on the 13th and 14th, becoming more widespread across northeastern and east-central NM on the 15th.
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.
Higher low-level moisture on July 13th and a backdoor cold front replenishing this moisture for July 14th and 15th combined with robust upper level wind shear produced three days of severe weather across eastern NM. Severe weather impacts were limited to northeastern NM on the 13th and 14th, becoming more widespread across northeastern and east-central NM on the 15th. There were a few thunderstorm wind gusts measured in the vicinity of the White Sands Missile Range on the 13th and 14th, likely from dry microbursts as the exception for the 13th and 14th. More substantial reports of damage and large hail occurred on the 15th ranging from broken skylights, flooding, accumulated hail, and a tornado. Thankfully, there were no reports of injuries or casualties.
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 Jul 13, 4:35 PM MST, 15 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 535 PM MDT Thu Jul 13 2023 ...New AVIATION... .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 253 PM MDT Thu Jul 13 2023 The heatwave continues the next several days for most, but a backdoor cold front will at least provide some relief to eastern New Mexico this weekend. Showers and storms will favor southwest and south-central areas tomorrow then the central mountain chain eastward Saturday and Sunday. Mostly dry weather prevails early next week although a mix of wet and dry storms are possible in western New Mexico. With drier air in place, high temps in the triple digits will be commonplace in most lower elevation locations through mid- next week. Enough moisture may return mid-week for at least isolated storms to spread across the state. && .SHORT TERM... (This evening through Friday night) Issued at 253 PM MDT Thu Jul 13 2023 The temperature at the Sunport has rebounded to the mid 90s as of this writing, despite the thick cloud cover which was in place through midday today. Storms have been a bit slower to fire this afternoon, with water vapor imagery indicating drier mid level air starting to make progress into the Four Corners. SPC still has the slight risk over far northeast New Mexico (and now a severe thunderstorm watch) with convection sprouting there at this time. A resulting outflow boundary from convection generally to our northeast to invade northeast and east central New Mexico this evening and appears to make more progress south and westward, potentially to the east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo and Sandia mountains after midnight, although any low level moisture reaching that far west would be relatively shallow. At this time, not anticipating an east wind will break into the Santa Fe or Albuquerque Metro areas. That scenario is more likely Friday night with the upper high center having retreated towards southern Nevada/SoCal therefore northwest flow would be dominating northeast New Mexico. With drier air making more progress into northwest and north central New Mexico Friday, areal coverage of showers and storms will be more limited to northeast New Mexico as well as areas south of I-40. Will leave the existing Heat highlights as is at this time. && .LONG TERM... (Saturday through Wednesday) Issued at 253 PM MDT Thu Jul 13 2023 Ample moisture in place across eastern NM will allow scattered storms to develop along the central mountain chain Saturday afternoon. As storms drift southeastward into a more unstable environment with PWATs greater than 150% of normal, storms may cluster together into an MCS that could bring a damaging wind threat to the northeast and east-central plains. The cluster of storms will send an outflow boundary westward through the gaps of the central mountain chain with breezy to windy conditions possible in the ABQ metro area. This east wind has the potential to be stronger than the one Friday night, but there is less certainty given its strong dependence on convection. The orientation and strength of the boundary will determine the timing and magnitude of the winds so there is substantial uncertainty at this time. With an absence of forcing, convection on Sunday will generally be limited to a few high elevation areas along the central mountain chain. High pressure shifts eastward over the state Monday, allowing dry northwesterly flow to scour out moisture across the central and western portions of the state. Subsidence will supress convection in most of western and central New Mexico, but a few dry and wet storms are possible along the high terrain. Numerous daily record highs may be challenged throughout the state early and mid-next week when the H5 high moves directly overhead. As the high elongates across the state mid and late week, some moisture from deep convection over northern Mexico will begin to move into southern Arizona and New Mexico. However, if the high is too strong as shown by many EC and CMC ensemble members, it will not translate to widespread convection. GFS members favor a slightly weaker high that would allow for just enough instability to generate scattered storms over the high terrain. PoPs have trended down a bit for this time given a shift towards the solution posed by the EC and CMC members. && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 524 PM MDT Thu Jul 13 2023 Scattered to isolated showers and thunderstorms will continue to favor southern and eastern areas through the evening, then a few isolated cells may linger after midnight. Some storms may turn severe over the northeast corner of NM with large hail, damaging wind, and a small risk of an isolated tornado. Storm motions will generally be toward the south and east at speeds around 10-20 kt. A gusty backdoor front will plunge through the eastern plains this evening and during the late night hours. Behind the front, some patches of low clouds may produce MVFR conditions across northeast and east central areas during the late night hours into early Friday morning. After dry weather early Friday morning, scattered to isolated showers and thunderstorms will return to southern and eastern areas during the late morning and afternoon. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 253 PM MDT Thu Jul 13 2023 Dry and breezy conditions with above normal to near record heat will persist over northwest NM through early next week and where elevated to near critical fire weather conditions are possible Friday through Sunday. The focus for wetting showers and storms will remain over southwest NM but will also shift over northeast NM through the weekend as low level moisture is replenished by nightly outflow boundaries. This moisture is expected to seep westward into the Rio Grande Valley Friday night, with a stronger westward push Saturday night, which may reach as far west as the Continental Divide. Some of this moisture would mix out during the daytime, but a few dry showers or storms would be a concern. High temperatures over eastern NM will cool down somewhat by the weekend but overall highs will increase slightly once the upper high moves back over NM early next week. Forecast models indicate the upper high over NM early next week will build back over the Four Corners region and Great Basin by the end of next week. There will be enough moisture trapped under the ridge for daily rounds of meager showers and storms favoring the higher terrain and adjacent areas but any wetting footprints will be small. Ventilation will be mostly good to excellent with localized pockets of fair to poor rates central and east Friday through Sunday. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Farmington...................... 61 101 59 98 / 0 0 0 0 Dulce........................... 52 94 49 93 / 0 0 5 5 Cuba............................ 60 93 57 93 / 5 5 5 5 Gallup.......................... 59 97 55 97 / 5 5 5 0 El Morro........................ 60 93 56 94 / 10 10 5 5 Grants.......................... 58 96 56 97 / 10 5 5 5 Quemado......................... 62 94 59 95 / 20 20 10 20 Magdalena....................... 65 95 65 93 / 30 30 10 30 Datil........................... 62 91 60 92 / 30 30 10 20 Reserve......................... 62 97 61 100 / 30 40 20 20 Glenwood........................ 70 100 71 103 / 40 50 20 30 Chama........................... 51 89 48 87 / 0 5 5 10 Los Alamos...................... 64 95 63 90 / 5 10 10 30 Pecos........................... 62 94 61 87 / 10 10 20 40 Cerro/Questa.................... 51 91 50 87 / 10 10 20 40 Red River....................... 47 85 45 80 / 10 20 20 50 Angel Fire...................... 44 84 44 79 / 5 20 20 50 Taos............................ 55 94 56 89 / 5 5 10 30 Mora............................ 55 91 54 83 / 10 20 20 50 Espanola........................ 58 99 59 97 / 5 5 10 20 Santa Fe........................ 64 95 63 90 / 5 10 10 30 Santa Fe Airport................ 63 99 63 94 / 5 5 10 20 Albuquerque Foothills........... 72 99 70 98 / 10 5 5 20 Albuquerque Heights............. 73 101 71 99 / 10 5 5 10 Albuquerque Valley.............. 67 102 65 101 / 10 5 5 10 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 71 101 70 99 / 10 0 5 10 Belen........................... 73 103 68 101 / 10 5 5 10 Bernalillo...................... 68 102 67 101 / 5 5 5 10 Bosque Farms.................... 69 102 66 101 / 10 5 5 10 Corrales........................ 70 102 68 100 / 5 5 5 10 Los Lunas....................... 72 102 68 101 / 10 5 5 10 Placitas........................ 69 99 67 97 / 5 5 10 20 Rio Rancho...................... 70 101 69 100 / 5 5 5 10 Socorro......................... 72 103 70 102 / 20 20 10 20 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 65 94 63 91 / 10 10 10 20 Tijeras......................... 67 96 65 93 / 10 10 10 20 Edgewood........................ 64 97 62 93 / 10 10 10 20 Moriarty/Estancia............... 62 98 60 93 / 10 10 10 20 Clines Corners.................. 62 94 60 87 / 10 10 20 20 Mountainair..................... 65 94 63 92 / 20 20 10 20 Gran Quivira.................... 66 95 63 92 / 20 20 10 30 Carrizozo....................... 72 97 69 95 / 20 30 10 30 Ruidoso......................... 64 87 62 85 / 20 50 20 50 Capulin......................... 59 88 57 77 / 20 20 40 50 Raton........................... 58 93 58 82 / 20 20 30 50 Springer........................ 58 94 59 84 / 20 20 30 50 Las Vegas....................... 58 94 59 84 / 10 20 20 40 Clayton......................... 64 93 63 81 / 30 30 30 20 Roy............................. 62 96 61 82 / 20 20 30 40 Conchas......................... 66 100 66 91 / 20 10 20 20 Santa Rosa...................... 68 101 67 90 / 20 10 20 20 Tucumcari....................... 68 101 67 89 / 30 10 20 20 Clovis.......................... 71 100 68 93 / 30 10 20 10 Portales........................ 72 102 69 95 / 30 10 20 10 Fort Sumner..................... 72 103 69 95 / 20 10 20 10 Roswell......................... 77 107 76 102 / 20 10 10 10 Picacho......................... 70 98 68 93 / 20 30 10 30 Elk............................. 67 93 65 90 / 20 50 20 40 && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory until 8 PM MDT this evening for NMZ201-211-219>221- 225-238. Heat Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Friday for NMZ201-207-211- 212-217-218-220>222-224-225-241. Excessive Heat Watch from Friday afternoon through Friday evening for NMZ219-238. && SHORT TERM...99 LONG TERM....16 AVIATION...44
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
115 PM MDT Thu Jul 13 2023
NMZ227-230-131945-
Union County-Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass-
115 PM MDT Thu Jul 13 2023
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHWESTERN UNION
COUNTY THROUGH 145 PM MDT...
At 115 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Des Moines, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Des Moines and Folsom.
This includes Highway 64 between Mile Markers 381 and 391.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If threatening weather approaches your area, take shelter in a sturdy
building.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3670 10392 3688 10394 3696 10359 3665 10357
TIME...MOT...LOC 1915Z 272DEG 13KT 3680 10384
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
MA/BBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
156 PM MDT Thu Jul 13 2023
NMZ227-230-132030-
Union County-Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass-
156 PM MDT Thu Jul 13 2023
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHWESTERN UNION
COUNTY THROUGH 230 PM MDT...
At 156 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles east of Des Moines, moving southeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Grenville.
This includes Highway 64 between Mile Markers 387 and 407.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If threatening weather approaches your area, take shelter in a sturdy
building.
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.
Motorists can expect brief but sudden changes in visibility and
ponding of water on highways as storms move through the area.
&&
LAT...LON 3669 10385 3686 10376 3683 10335 3654 10357
TIME...MOT...LOC 1956Z 306DEG 11KT 3673 10370
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
MA/BBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
231 PM MDT Thu Jul 13 2023
NMZ227-230-132100-
Union County-Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass-
231 PM MDT Thu Jul 13 2023
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHWESTERN UNION
COUNTY THROUGH 300 PM MDT...
At 231 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles north of Grenville, or 12 miles east of Des Moines, moving east
at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Des Moines and Grenville.
This includes Highway 64 between Mile Markers 380 and 411.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If threatening weather approaches your area, take shelter in a sturdy
building.
Motorists can expect brief but sudden changes in visibility and
ponding of water on highways as storms move through the area.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for
northeastern New Mexico.
&&
LAT...LON 3669 10396 3687 10387 3682 10330 3652 10351
TIME...MOT...LOC 2031Z 288DEG 18KT 3672 10362
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
MA/BBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
423 PM MDT Thu Jul 13 2023
NMZ238-132300-
Chaves County Plains-
423 PM MDT Thu Jul 13 2023
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF CENTRAL CHAVES
COUNTY THROUGH 500 PM MDT...
At 422 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Roswell, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Roswell and Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge.
This includes the following highways...
Highway 285 between Mile Markers 104 and 116.
Highway 380 between Mile Markers 156 and 162.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If threatening weather approaches your area, take shelter in a sturdy
building.
Motorists can expect brief but sudden changes in visibility and
ponding of water on highways as storms move through the area.
&&
LAT...LON 3333 10471 3347 10472 3352 10440 3331 10438
TIME...MOT...LOC 2222Z 266DEG 20KT 3340 10458
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
MA/BBThe Holloman AFB radar (KHDX), 54 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:51 UTC.
16 hail, 4 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A mesonet station within the White Sands Missile Range measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 62 mph.
Long lasting hail with strong winds and numerous tree branches downed. A report on twitter also indicated large hail broke a plate glass window in a shop in Springer. Power went out and did not come back on until 3pm local time on July 14th. Damage is an estimate.
Dime to quarter size hail fell near the Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge.
Nickel to golf ball size hail. There was one inch hail accumulation.
A mesonet station within the White Sands Missile Range measured a 64 mph thunderstorm wind gust.
Quarter size hail reported in Wagon Mound on the edge of a passing thunderstorm.
A mesonet station within the White Sands Missile Range measured a 65 mph thunderstorm wind gust.
A mesonet station within the White Sands Missile Range measured a 63 mph thunderstorm wind gust.
Half-dollar size hail reported alongside larger but shorter duration 2.75 inch hail. Hail persisted until approximately 5:10 pm MDT before quitting.
Hail broke three skylights, damage is an estimate. Half-dollar size hail reported alongside larger but shorter duration 2.75 inch hail. Hail persisted until approximately 5:10 pm MDT before quitting.
Golf ball sized hail reported on U.S. Highway 64 about ten miles southwest of Raton.
A cone tornado was reported by storm chasers just southeast of the intersection of NM 39 and U.S. Highway 56. The tornado lasted three minutes and was rain-wrapped for a time.
Two glass windows were broken at a residence. A neighbor also reported five cars being dented by the hail. Damage is an estimate.
A storm chaser reported flooding on secondary roads near I-40 west of Newkirk.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for New Mexico, 2023Warnings in New Mexico, July 2023
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: 1100745, 1100746, 1100747, 1100748, 1100749, 1100750, 1100751, 1100753, 1100752, 1100754, 1100756, 1100755, 1103893, 1100757, 1100758, 1100790, 1100759, 1100762, 1100761, 1100760, 1100764, 1100766.