The end of monsoon season for New Mexico saw continued near to below normal precipitation over much of the area. As a result, extreme drought expanded across sections of northwestern NM and into portions of the middle Rio Grande Valley that include the Albuquerque metro area.
Every event with a place to put it; 35 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.
The end of monsoon season for New Mexico saw continued near to below normal precipitation over much of the area. As a result, extreme drought expanded across sections of northwestern NM and into portions of the middle Rio Grande Valley that include the Albuquerque metro area. Exceptional drought developed over parts of Chaves County near Roswell.
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 Aug 31, 10:17 PM MST, 1 hour 43 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 1117 PM MDT Thu Aug 31 2023 ...New AVIATION... .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 236 PM MDT Thu Aug 31 2023 Mostly dry conditions with near record to record high temperatures remain across northern and central NM today and into the weekend. Isolated to scattered afternoon storm activity will remain clinging to the AZ border through Sunday. Southerly afternoon breezes turn southwesterly Sunday, then westerly Monday. Western and northern areas see a slight cool down while east-central NM to Roswell will remain hot. && .SHORT TERM... (This evening through Friday night) Issued at 236 PM MDT Thu Aug 31 2023 The centroid of the H5 High over central New Mexico is advecting a plume of deep Pacific moisture into Arizona and Utah. Outflow boundaries from convection over Arizona will push some low-level moisture and provide a lifting mechanism for isolated to scattered convection in far western New Mexico later this afternoon and through the early overnight hours. Modest instability is also in place across the northeast, but a strong subsidence inversion associated with the High should prevent any updrafts from developing. High temperatures tomorrow will be similar to today's except in the west where it will be a few degrees cooler thanks to cloud cover. Once again, several locations throughout central and eastern NM will approach record high temperatures. PWATs 40% to 80% of normal will limit convection again tomorrow in most locations. Gusty erratic winds will be favored over wetting rains given the dewpoint depressions in excess of 50F. There will be a tight moisture gradient along the AZ/NM border so if the moisture plume does shift to the east a tad, things could be a bit more active in far western NM. High pressure to the east will generate a light southerly breeze areawide tomorrow afternoon with the strongest winds along and just east of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. && .LONG TERM... (Saturday through Wednesday) Issued at 236 PM MDT Thu Aug 31 2023 Saturday begins the long term period with a healthy monsoon plume still situated over AZ, squeezed between an upper low over the northern CA coastline and a 597dm H5 high over KS. NM will unfortunately remain mostly beneath the high with abundant dry air over the forecast area. Only far western NM along the AZ border will see any chances for afternoon storms. The west-to-east PWAT gradient across NM tells the story well, ranging from 1.00" near Gallup to ~0.45" at San Jon. Near record high temperatures will remain throughout the Caprock and Pecos River Valley near Roswell where forecast highs are in the upper 90s to near 100F. Sunday will see little change to the overall synoptic weather pattern for NM, however the upper low over northern CA begins to fill and open while an upper low over TX weakens the H5 high's grip over eastern NM. Western NM will remain favored for any isolated to scattered afternoon storms with dry and hot conditions toward the eastern portions of the forecast area. Monday sees the upper low completely open and eject northeastward over the intermountain west, bringing increased southwesterly flow into NM ahead of a Pacific cold front. The combination of the front and lower pressure heights will bring a modest drop in temperatures to the northwestern and northern tiers of the forecast area. Global model solutions are also resolving a weak 992-997mb MSLP surface low over southeastern CO that will help bring breezy to windy southwesterlies to much of the forecast area, focused over the northeastern plains. A downsloping effect will help keep temperatures stable or actually warm a degree or two at Roswell for Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday see mostly calm weather with some afternoon breezes. Highs will still flirt with 100F at Roswell. The monsoon high will redevelop over northern Mexico and the bootheel of NM by midweek. This will favor continued warm, hot, and dry conditions for the area. && .AVIATION... (06Z TAFS) Issued at 1107 PM MDT Thu Aug 31 2023 VFR conditions prevail and are forecast to persist with gusty southerly winds Friday afternoon/evening. Isolated storms may impact KGUP and KFMN Friday afternoon/evening with strong/erratic wind gusts. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 236 PM MDT Thu Aug 31 2023 High pressure shifts eastward across the state today and tomorrow, allowing some Pacific moisture to sneak into far western New Mexico and generate isolated convection. Dry low-levels will favor gusty and erratic winds over wetting rains with any development. Very warm temperatures will persist the next several days although the northwest will see a drop in temps Sunday through Tuesday as a trough clips northern NM. A weak Pacific front associated with the trough will create breezy south winds that will shift to the west late Monday. This will create areas of elevated fire weather conditions along and east of the central mountains where downsloping will drop afternoon humidities into the teens. High pressure builds back in behind the exiting trough so the dry and warm weather will continue into mid and late next week. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Farmington...................... 61 93 60 88 / 5 10 10 10 Dulce........................... 50 89 50 88 / 0 5 5 5 Cuba............................ 57 87 55 85 / 5 5 0 10 Gallup.......................... 56 88 56 85 / 20 10 10 30 El Morro........................ 54 84 53 82 / 30 10 10 30 Grants.......................... 53 89 52 87 / 20 5 5 20 Quemado......................... 55 85 55 82 / 30 10 10 40 Magdalena....................... 60 85 59 85 / 0 0 0 10 Datil........................... 56 82 54 81 / 10 0 0 20 Reserve......................... 55 87 56 86 / 30 10 10 40 Glenwood........................ 62 91 62 90 / 20 10 10 40 Chama........................... 50 84 49 81 / 0 10 0 5 Los Alamos...................... 62 85 61 83 / 5 5 0 5 Pecos........................... 59 87 57 86 / 5 0 0 0 Cerro/Questa.................... 47 86 46 84 / 0 5 0 0 Red River....................... 43 80 45 79 / 0 10 0 0 Angel Fire...................... 38 80 37 79 / 0 10 0 0 Taos............................ 52 88 51 86 / 0 5 0 0 Mora............................ 53 84 52 83 / 5 5 0 0 Espanola........................ 60 93 59 91 / 0 0 0 0 Santa Fe........................ 62 88 60 85 / 0 0 0 0 Santa Fe Airport................ 60 91 58 88 / 0 0 0 0 Albuquerque Foothills........... 68 92 66 91 / 0 0 0 0 Albuquerque Heights............. 66 93 66 92 / 0 0 0 0 Albuquerque Valley.............. 65 95 64 93 / 0 0 0 0 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 67 94 65 92 / 0 0 0 0 Belen........................... 63 95 61 93 / 0 0 0 0 Bernalillo...................... 65 95 64 94 / 0 0 0 0 Bosque Farms.................... 62 94 61 93 / 0 0 0 0 Corrales........................ 65 95 64 93 / 0 0 0 0 Los Lunas....................... 62 94 61 93 / 0 0 0 0 Placitas........................ 65 91 64 90 / 0 0 0 0 Rio Rancho...................... 66 93 64 92 / 0 0 0 0 Socorro......................... 65 94 64 93 / 0 0 0 0 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 62 86 59 83 / 0 0 0 0 Tijeras......................... 63 88 60 86 / 0 0 0 0 Edgewood........................ 58 89 55 88 / 0 0 0 0 Moriarty/Estancia............... 53 90 51 89 / 0 0 0 0 Clines Corners.................. 58 87 56 86 / 5 0 0 0 Mountainair..................... 59 89 58 87 / 0 0 0 0 Gran Quivira.................... 60 88 58 86 / 0 0 0 0 Carrizozo....................... 64 89 64 89 / 0 0 0 0 Ruidoso......................... 57 84 56 82 / 0 0 0 0 Capulin......................... 57 87 57 87 / 5 0 0 0 Raton........................... 54 91 54 90 / 0 0 0 0 Springer........................ 54 93 55 91 / 5 0 0 0 Las Vegas....................... 56 88 55 88 / 5 0 0 0 Clayton......................... 63 94 62 94 / 0 0 0 0 Roy............................. 61 90 59 90 / 0 0 0 0 Conchas......................... 65 96 62 96 / 0 0 0 0 Santa Rosa...................... 63 93 61 93 / 0 0 0 0 Tucumcari....................... 64 96 62 97 / 0 0 0 0 Clovis.......................... 63 95 62 95 / 0 0 0 0 Portales........................ 64 96 62 96 / 0 0 0 0 Fort Sumner..................... 64 96 63 95 / 0 0 0 0 Roswell......................... 66 99 66 99 / 0 0 0 0 Picacho......................... 61 92 61 91 / 0 0 0 0 Elk............................. 58 88 57 88 / 0 0 0 0 && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...16 LONG TERM....42 AVIATION...11
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
35 drought. Local standard time, as filed.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the expansion of severe drought and introduction of extreme drought conditions in the central and southern portions of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the expansion of severe drought conditions across northern and central areas and introduction of extreme drought conditions in the southern portion of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the expansion of extreme drought conditions.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the introduction of severe drought conditions in the southern half of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the persistence of severe drought conditions in the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the expansion of extreme drought conditions in the northern part of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the introduction of extreme drought conditions in the southern part of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the persistence of severe drought conditions for most of the zone with an introduction of extreme drought in the far southeastern section of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the persistence of severe drought conditions into the western and southern portions of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the expansion of extreme drought conditions in the southeastern portion of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the expansion of severe drought to the entire zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the persistence of severe drought conditions into most of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the persistence of severe drought conditions in the southern portion of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the persistence of severe drought conditions into southern portions of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the persistence of severe drought in most of the zone and extreme drought in the far western part of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the introduction of extreme drought conditions in the southwestern half of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the southward and eastward expansion of extreme drought conditions into a majority of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the persistence of severe drought conditions into southern and far northeastern portions of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the eastward expansion of extreme drought conditions into western and northern portions of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the expansion of severe drought conditions to the entire zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the expansion of severe drought conditions into a majority of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the persistence of severe drought conditions over most of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the persistence of severe drought conditions in most of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the persistence of severe drought conditions over most of the zone along with extreme drought in the far southeast.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the expansion of severe drought conditions into the southwestern portion of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the persistence of severe drought conditions into the southeastern portion of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the persistence of severe drought conditions in far southern and northwestern portions of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the expansion of severe drought conditions in eastern half of the zone.
Modest precipitation through the month of September allowed for the removal of severe drought conditions over a majority of the county, leaving only a small section of severe drought in the far northeastern corner of the county.
Modest precipitation through the month of September allowed for the removal of extreme drought conditions. Severe drought conditions were also reduced to the western half of the county.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the persistence of severe drought conditions over a majority of the zone and extreme drought conditions in the southern portion of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for persistence of extreme drought conditions over a majority of the zone and the introduction of exceptional drought in the southern tier of the zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the persistence of severe drought conditions in the central portions of the zone and extreme drought in the southern portion.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the persistence of extreme drought conditions over the entire zone.
A continuation of a dry monsoon season and above normal temperatures allowed for the persistence of severe drought conditions in the southern part of the zone.
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 historyWarnings in New Mexico, September 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: 1133843, 1133845, 1133846, 1133848, 1133849, 1133850, 1133851, 1133852, 1133853, 1133854, 1133855, 1133857, 1133858, 1133859, 1133860, 1133861, 1133862, 1133863, 1133864, 1133865, 1133866, 1133867, 1133868, 1133869, 1133870, 1133871, 1133872, 1133873, 1133874, 1133875, 1133876, 1133877, 1133878, 1133879, 1133880.