New Mexico, 2024

Drought in New Mexico, July 1 to 31, 2024

July 1 to 31, 2024 · NWS EPZ · 13 events in 13 counties and zones

Northern areas of the forecast area saw improving drought conditions with a large area ending the month of July with no drought or Abnormally Dry(D0) drought conditions. Areas across the south generally remained unchanged.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 13 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
13

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 EPZ wrote it up.

Northern areas of the forecast area saw improving drought conditions with a large area ending the month of July with no drought or Abnormally Dry(D0) drought conditions. Areas across the south generally remained unchanged.

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 El Paso, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 30, 10:32 PM MST, 1 hour 28 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 30, 10:32 PM MST, 1 hour 28 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
1132 PM MDT Sun Jun 30 2024

...New AVIATION...

.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 100 PM MDT Sun Jun 30 2024

Daily thunderstorm chances will continue with Wednesday expected
to be the most active day. Temperatures will remain warm,
generally a few degrees above average.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 100 PM MDT Sun Jun 30 2024

A subtle disturbance is approaching the CWA from the southwest.
WV satellite shows this ripple near the SW corner of Hudspeth Co.
at this typing. Vis is showing an increasingly agitated Cu field
with a few storms already noted on the radar. Current trajectory
has these moving into El Paso within the next 30-45 minutes, so
it's time to complete this discussion to focus on near term
impacts. HRRR showing activity overspreading the entire CWA
between 21 and 22z as this subtle disturbance continues to lift
northward. Main threat today will be heavy rainfall and localized
flash flooding, especially if storms can train. Current dewpoints
are near 60 with PWAT values near 1.3" toward the International
Border with less than 1" for the northern part of the CWA. 850mb
moisture transport shows a northwestward transport, so I suspect
these values will increase for our northern areas. Damaging winds
will also be a concern this afternoon with DCAPE values over 1000
J/kg. HRRR showing activity decreasing after dark, but with
lingering showers or storms continuing well into the evening.

As we head into Monday and Tuesday, a little bit drier air pushes
into the region from the south, forcing the main moisture plume
toward AZ. Storm chances will be favored west but all locations
have at least a slight chance for thunderstorms each day. Highs
will warm with the drier air and re-alignment of the ridge axis
overhead. On Wednesday, a digging trough from the north will split
the ridge with a prominent center off the coast of CA and a larger
center covering much of the Deep South. This will allow the
subtropical plume to center over NM and Far W. TX. With the
expected alignment of the trough axis and richer moisture (GFS
showing 1.3-1.6" PWAT), Wednesday will be our best bet for storms
of the period.

Thursday onward, drier is set to push in from the northwest,
shifting storm chances to the south. Models continue to struggle
with how far south this moisture will be shoved. Additionally,
this pattern opens us up to disturbances aloft and frontal
intrusions. Both global models continue to show a frontal
intrusion on Saturday, which will enhance our rain/storm chances.
As it stands now though, there continues to be uncertainty with
rain / storm chances Thursday onward, and it will depend on which
factor wins out: dry air versus frontal boundaries and / or
disturbances aloft. Regardless, temperatures to finish out the
period look to be just above average, but NBM continues to show
5-7 degree spread between the 25th and 75th percentile for highs
at El Paso Thursday onward.

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 1131 PM MDT Sun Jun 30 2024

Lingering showers and a few brief isolated thunderstorms will
continue across region through around 10z and then dissipate. VFR
conditions are expected at all TAF sites through 18Z. Scattered
showers and thunderstorms will develop after 18Z, first over the
higher mountains then in over the lowlands by 20Z to 21Z. TAF
sites could be impacted by strong winds and periods of reduced
visibility in moderate to heavy rainfall, Otherwise VFR conditions
are expected to be the primary state at TAF sites.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 100 PM MDT Sun Jun 30 2024

No significant fire concerns for the period. Monsoonal moisture
will remain in place for the period. Monday will feature slightly
drier conditions, which will limit thunderstorm coverage some as
well as allow min RH values to drop into the lower and middle 20s.
Tuesday will continue the drier trend as well as see an increase
in temperatures. Wednesday looks to be the most active day in
terms of thunderstorm coverage with an increase in moisture.
Starting Thursday, the forecast becomes a bit uncertain in terms
of moisture content and thunderstorm coverage. Winds, outside of
thunderstorm influences, looks light for the period. Venting will
generally range good to very good, decreasing to poor to good on
Wednesday.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
El Paso                  80 101  82 103 /  50  10  30  30
Sierra Blanca            69  94  72  96 /  30  10  20  30
Las Cruces               73  99  74 100 /  60  20  20  40
Alamogordo               70  96  71  97 /  40  20  20  30
Cloudcroft               52  74  54  75 /  50  40  30  60
Truth or Consequences    72  94  72  93 /  70  50  30  70
Silver City              65  88  66  89 /  80  70  40  80
Deming                   72  98  72  98 /  80  40  30  60
Lordsburg                70  95  70  95 /  80  60  40  70
West El Paso Metro       77  99  79 100 /  60  20  30  30
Dell City                72  99  73 100 /  20  10  10  20
Fort Hancock             74 101  76 103 /  40  10  20  20
Loma Linda               70  93  72  94 /  50  20  20  30
Fabens                   76 100  78 103 /  40  10  20  30
Santa Teresa             74  98  74  98 /  60  20  30  30
White Sands HQ           75  96  77  98 /  60  20  30  40
Jornada Range            70  96  70  97 /  70  30  30  40
Hatch                    71  98  71  99 /  70  30  30  60
Columbus                 73  98  74  98 /  70  30  40  40
Orogrande                72  96  73  97 /  50  20  20  40
Mayhill                  58  85  59  86 /  40  40  20  60
Mescalero                57  85  59  86 /  40  40  30  60
Timberon                 55  83  57  84 /  40  30  20  50
Winston                  60  84  60  83 /  70  80  40  90
Hillsboro                68  92  69  91 /  80  60  40  80
Spaceport                67  95  67  95 /  60  40  30  60
Lake Roberts             62  87  62  87 /  80  70  40  90
Hurley                   65  91  66  92 /  80  60  30  70
Cliff                    65  97  66  97 /  80  60  30  70
Mule Creek               66  90  68  90 /  80  70  40  70
Faywood                  67  90  68  91 /  80  50  40  70
Animas                   69  95  69  95 /  70  60  30  60
Hachita                  68  95  69  95 /  70  50  40  60
Antelope Wells           68  95  69  95 /  70  50  50  70
Cloverdale               66  90  67  90 /  60  60  40  70

&&

.EPZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...None.
NM...None.
&&

FORECASTER...36-Texeira

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

13 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Southwest Desert/Lower Gila River Valley

When
July 1, 12:00 AM MST to July 31, 11:59 PM MST
Where
Southwest Desert/Lower Gila River Valley forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
32.326, -108.548 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The entire zone remained in Severe(D2) drought through July. The Redrock Cooperative Observer reported 1.79 inches of precipitation which was 0.82 inches below normal.

Drought, Lowlands of the Bootheel

When
July 1, 12:00 AM MST to July 31, 11:59 PM MST
Where
Lowlands of the Bootheel forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
32.326, -108.548 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The eastern half of the zone remained in Extreme(D3) drought while the northwest remained in Severe(D2) drought. The Antelope Wells Cooperative Observer reported 2.32 inches of precipitation which was 0.82 inches below normal.

Drought, Uplands of the Bootheel

When
July 1, 12:00 AM MST to July 31, 11:59 PM MST
Where
Uplands of the Bootheel forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
31.914, -108.715 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The entire zone remained in Severe(D2) drought throughout the month.

Drought, Southwest Desert/Mimbres Basin

When
July 1, 12:00 AM MST to July 31, 11:59 PM MST
Where
Southwest Desert/Mimbres Basin forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
32.460, -108.066 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

July started with Extreme(D3) drought over the south and improving to Moderate(D1) drought over the north. By the end of the month, the southwest was still in Extreme(D3) drought which improved to Abnormally Dry(D0) drought over the north. The Deming Airport reported 2.45 inches of precipitation which was 0.54 inches above normal.

Drought, Northern Dona Ana County

When
July 1, 12:00 AM MST to July 31, 11:59 PM MST
Where
Northern Dona Ana County forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
32.353, -106.833 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The entire zone remained in Severe(D2) drought during the month of July.

Drought, Southern Dona Ana County/Mesilla Valley

When
July 1, 12:00 AM MST to July 31, 11:59 PM MST
Where
Southern Dona Ana County/Mesilla Valley forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
32.353, -106.833 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The entire zone remained in Extreme(D3) drought during the month. The Cooperative Observer at New Mexico State University received 1.09 inches of precipitation which was 0.68 inches below normal.

Drought, West Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet

When
July 1, 12:00 AM MST to July 31, 11:59 PM MST
Where
West Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
32.613, -105.742 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The month started with Extreme(D3) drought over the south improving to Moderate(D1) drought across the north. By the end of July, the south ended in Severe(D2) drought with the north in Abnormally Dry(D0) drought. The Mountain Park Cooperative Observer reported 3.88 inches of precipitation which was 0.29 inches above normal.

Drought, Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet

When
July 1, 12:00 AM MST to July 31, 11:59 PM MST
Where
Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
32.613, -105.742 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The entire zone started the month in Severe(D2) drought. By the end of the month, the south remained in Severe(D2) drought while the north improved to Abnormally Dry(D0) drought. The Cloudcroft Cooperative Observer reported 4.04 inches of precipitation which was 1.49 inches below normal.

Drought, East Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet

When
July 1, 12:00 AM MST to July 31, 11:59 PM MST
Where
East Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
32.613, -105.742 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme(D3) drought continued across the south while Severe(D2) drought remained in place across the north during the month of July. The Elk Cooperative Observer reported 2.85 inches of precipitation which was 0.29 inches below normal.

Drought, Otero Mesa

When
July 1, 12:00 AM MST to July 31, 11:59 PM MST
Where
Otero Mesa forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
32.613, -105.742 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The entire zone remained in Extreme(D3) drought through the month of July.

Drought, West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands

When
July 1, 12:00 AM MST to July 31, 11:59 PM MST
Where
West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
32.699, -106.589 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The month started with Extreme(D3) drought over the south and improving to Moderate(D1) drought across the north. By the end of the month, the far northern areas had improved to Abnormally Dry(D0) drought with little change to the south. The White Sands National Park Cooperative Observer reported 0.89 inches of precipitation which was 0.75 inches below normal.

Drought, East Central Tularosa Basin/Alamogordo

When
July 1, 12:00 AM MST to July 31, 11:59 PM MST
Where
East Central Tularosa Basin/Alamogordo forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
32.613, -105.742 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The southern portion of the zone remained in Severe(D2) drought through the month while the north improved from Moderate(D1) drought to Abnormally Dry(D0) drought conditions.

Drought, Southeast Tularosa Basin

When
July 1, 12:00 AM MST to July 31, 11:59 PM MST
Where
Southeast Tularosa Basin forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
32.613, -105.742 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The southern half of the zone remained in Extreme(D3) drought while the north continued to be in Severe(D2) drought conditions.

What these are

Drought
A drought reaching severe (D2) or worse on the US Drought Monitor, or with notable impacts.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in New Mexico in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, July 2024

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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1200434, 1200436, 1200437, 1200439, 1200441, 1200442, 1200444, 1200447, 1200451, 1200452, 1200476, 1200477, 1200478.