New Mexico, 2023

Flash Flooding and Hail in New Mexico, October 2, 2023

October 2, 2023 · NWS MAF · 14 events in 2 counties and zones

An anomalous late-season severe weather setup developed across the southern Great Plains during the start of October. A large slow-moving trough across the Four Corners combined with very rich low-level moisture to produce widespread severe weather and localized flash flooding, especially across portions of southeast New Mexico and west Texas.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$70,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
14

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS MAF wrote it up.

An anomalous late-season severe weather setup developed across the southern Great Plains during the start of October. A large slow-moving trough across the Four Corners combined with very rich low-level moisture to produce widespread severe weather and localized flash flooding, especially across portions of southeast New Mexico and west Texas.

What forecasters said that day

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 Midland/Odessa, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Oct 2, 10:23 AM MST, 1 hour 48 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 2, 10:23 AM MST, 1 hour 48 minutes before
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Hazardous weather outlook, Oct 2, 9:24 AM MST, 2 hours 47 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
1124 AM CDT Mon Oct 2 2023

NMZ027>029-033-034-TXZ045>048-050>053-059>063-067>070-075-082-
270>282-031630-
Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County-Eddy County Plains-
Northern Lea County-Central Lea County-Southern Lea County-Gaines-
Dawson-Borden-Scurry-Andrews-Martin-Howard-Mitchell-Loving-Winkler-
Ector-Midland-Glasscock-Ward-Crane-Upton-Reagan-Pecos-Terrell-
Guadalupe Mountains Above 7000 Feet-Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains-
Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor-Eastern Culberson County-
Reeves County Plains-Chinati Mountains-Marfa Plateau-Davis Mountains-
Davis Mountains Foothills-Central Brewster County-Chisos Basin-
Presidio Valley-Lower Brewster County-
1124 AM CDT Mon Oct 2 2023 /1024 AM MDT Mon Oct 2 2023/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast New Mexico,
southwest Texas and western Texas.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

There is a medium risk of severe storms this afternoon and evening,
mainly across Southeast New Mexico and adjacent parts of West Texas.
Any severe storms that do develop may be accompanied by large hail,
damaging winds, and an isolated tornado.  Heavy rainfall may also
result in flash flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

There is a medium risk of severe storms late Tuesday afternoon and
early evening, mainly across West Texas.  Any severe storms that do
develop may be accompanied by large hail, damaging winds, and an
isolated tornado.  Heavy rainfall may also result in flash flooding.

There is a low risk of severe storms Wednesday afternoon and evening,
mainly across the Western Low Rolling Plains and Permian Basin. Any
severe storms that do develop may be accompanied by large hail and
damaging winds.  Heavy rainfall may also result in flash flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

This product, along with other watches, warnings, advisories,
and statements issued by the National Weather Service Office in
Midland, can be found on the internet at...
https://weather.gov/midland

44

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Oct 2, 11:53 AM MST, 18 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
1253 PM MDT Mon Oct 2 2023

NMZ028-021945-
Eddy County Plains NM-
1253 PM MDT Mon Oct 2 2023

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL EDDY COUNTY THROUGH
145 PM MDT...

At 1253 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 14
miles southwest of Brantley Lake State Park, or 17 miles west of
Carlsbad, moving northeast 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 hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Carlsbad, Carlsbad North, Brantley Lake State Park, and Living Desert
State Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3227 10448 3237 10472 3271 10465 3246 10421
TIME...MOT...LOC 1853Z 222DEG 12KT 3240 10454

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

88

The radar

The Holloman AFB radar (KHDX), 177 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:08 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 hail, 5 flash flood, 3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Eddy

When
October 2, 12:11 PM MST to 12:21 PM MST
Where
Eddy County, 7.23 mi NW of Happy Vly
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
32.500, -104.350

Public report of golf-ball size hail.

Hail, Eddy

When
October 2, 12:36 PM MST to 12:46 PM MST
Where
Eddy County, 7.6 mi S of Lakewood
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
32.520, -104.370

Golf-ball size hail along US Highway 285. Time estimated from radar.

Hail, Eddy

When
October 2, 12:37 PM MST to 12:47 PM MST
Where
Eddy County, 9.28 mi SSW of Lakewood
Measured
2.5 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
32.500, -104.410

Relayed report from NMDOT employee of tennis ball size hail on US Highway 285. Time estimated from radar.

Hail, Eddy

When
October 2, 12:46 PM MST to 12:56 PM MST
Where
Eddy County, 8.14 mi NW of Happy Vly
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
32.510, -104.360

Quarter-size hail and wind gusts over 60 mph along US Highway 285 northwest of Carlsbad.

Flash Flood, Eddy

When
October 2, 1:22 PM MST to 1:52 PM MST
Where
Eddy County, 2.51 mi SE of Lakewood to 5.1 mi S of Lakewood
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
32.606, -104.337

Flood waters starting to run across US Highway 285.

Flash Flood, Eddy

When
October 2, 2:08 PM MST to 2:38 PM MST
Where
Eddy County, 7.74 mi SSW of Lakewood to 7.06 mi WNW of Happy Vly
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.528, -104.426

State Highway 137 is closed at the Junction with US Highway 285 due to flooding. Rocky Arroyo is also flooding at the bridge on US Highway 285.

Hail, Eddy

When
October 2, 2:11 PM MST to 2:21 PM MST
Where
Eddy County, 9 mi NW of Carlsbad
Measured
1.75 in hail
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
32.512, -104.339

Golf ball size hail along State Highway 137 near Rock Arroyo crossing. Wind-driven hail broke windshields and fences were blown down. Time estimated from radar. Property damage cost is an estimation.

Flash Flood, Eddy

When
October 2, 2:35 PM MST to 3:05 PM MST
Where
Eddy County, 2.53 mi WNW of Happy Vly to 1.28 mi SW of Happy Vly
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.433, -104.310

Loop bypass road on the west side of Carlsbad is closed due to flooding.

Thunderstorm Wind, Eddy

When
October 2, 2:41 PM MST to 2:46 PM MST
Where
Eddy County, 2.38 mi NNW of Happy Vly
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
32.450, -104.290

Estimated wind gusts at or above 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lea

When
October 2, 3:30 PM MST to 3:35 PM MST
Where
Lea County, 21.71 mi W of Bennett
Measured
59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
32.050, -103.570

Flash Flood, Eddy

When
October 2, 3:41 PM MST to 4:11 PM MST
Where
Eddy County, 3.44 mi WNW of Happy Vly to 1.26 mi SW of Happy Vly
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$25,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
32.443, -104.323

A car was flooded on State Highway 524 on the west side of Carlsbad.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lea

When
October 2, 3:41 PM MST to 3:46 PM MST
Where
Lea County, 2.15 mi NNE of Lovington
Measured
87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$40,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.960, -103.340

Single wide trailer fully collapsed with no injuries reported. Time estimated from radar. Wind speeds are estimated to be 100 mph. Property damage cost is an estimation.

Hail, Eddy

When
October 2, 4:39 PM MST to 4:49 PM MST
Where
Eddy County, 5.31 mi W of Whites City
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Park/Forest Service
Coordinates
32.180, -104.460

Golf ball size hail observed in Walnut Canyon in Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

Flash Flood, Lea

When
October 2, 7:00 PM MST to 7:30 PM MST
Where
Lea County, 1.5 mi NE of Lovington Arpt to 2.81 mi W of Lovington
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
32.966, -103.382

Multiple road closures in the city of Lovington.

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in New Mexico in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, October 2023

Sources

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1144942, 1144943, 1144945, 1144944, 1144937, 1144938, 1144952, 1144939, 1144946, 1144947, 1144940, 1144948, 1144951, 1144941.