A weak upper low moved across the desert southwest pulling up some Pacific and Gulf moisture into the state. Daytime heating resulted in the development of a mix of drier and wet showers and storms during the afternoon and early evening hours.
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.
A weak upper low moved across the desert southwest pulling up some Pacific and Gulf moisture into the state. Daytime heating resulted in the development of a mix of drier and wet showers and storms during the afternoon and early evening hours. As storms decayed around sunset, it helped produce a 60 mph wind gust at Clayton Municipal Airport.
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 Mar 27, 4:43 PM MST, 1 hour 37 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 543 PM MDT Thu Mar 27 2025 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 538 PM MDT Thu Mar 27 2025 - Isolated showers and dry thunderstorms will decrease heading into the evening. - Southwest and west winds will strengthen for Friday and each day onward with patchy areas of critical fire weather conditions forecast each day. This will increase the risk of rapid fire spread. && .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 320 PM MDT Thu Mar 27 2025 The threat of dry thunderstorms and virga decreases going into the evening. Drier and breezier conditions over the next several days will elevate the risk of fire threat for certain areas along eastern New Mexico. A few storm systems over the central Rockies may bring in some light precipitation for the northern mountains along the Colorado border. Wind speeds look to pick up near the middle of next week. Overall, temperatures will be around normal for most areas this weekend and heading into next week. && .SHORT TERM... (This evening through Friday night) Issued at 320 PM MDT Thu Mar 27 2025 A poorly-defined upper level trough near the Permian Basin today will continue drifting east away from NM tonight. A notable moisture increase with this system trended Precipitable Water (PW) values to between 0.50" and 0.70" across southeast NM. Surface dewpoints range from the upper 10s over western NM to the 40s and lower 50s across the southeast plains. Cells across central NM will remain high-based thru late afternoon then dissipate quickly around sunset. Activity farther east has been wetter with a few cells producing up to 0.10" to 0.25" around Ruidoso. Radar estimates indicated very localized amounts up to 0.5" in some of the slow-moving cells between Corona and Vaughn. The drier cells will be capable of producing downburst wind gusts in excess of 45mph with blowing dust and low visibility possible. The brief appearance of showers and storms today will end this evening as the drier air over western NM continues to move east toward the plains. Most showers will end by 9pm followed by remnant mid level cloud cover overnight. Min temps will be above normal again across central and eastern NM while readings trend a few degrees cooler across the west with clear skies and stronger thermal inversions. Friday will be much drier with increasing west/southwest winds. The next system approaching from the Great Basin has trended a little slower and thus delays the development of a deeper lee-side trough and the subsequent stronger winds. Overall, most of the day will be quite pleasant with max temps rising 10 to 15F above normal again in most areas. Cirrus will likely increase from west to east thru the day, signaling the approach of the next shortwave trough entering the Great Basin. These high clouds along with persistent breezes around the high terrain and nearby plains will keep min temps above normal again Friday night. && .LONG TERM... (Saturday through Wednesday) Issued at 320 PM MDT Thu Mar 27 2025 More high clouds will stream in from western New Mexico on Saturday as another slightly deeper shortwave trough crosses through the intermountain west. Guidance for wind speeds has once again trended downwards for Saturday afternoon, reducing the risk of critical fire weather conditions to patchy areas along the central highlands. However, with a tightening pressure gradient aloft and a 994 to 998 mb sfc low developing along the Colorado-Kansas border, winds throughout the state will get pretty breezy at 15 to 25 kts. Stronger 700 mb winds of 45 kts will lead to some more robust gusts along the southern mountains and adjacent highlands. A second reinforcing trough on Sunday will bring in another round of gusty westerlies for many of the same areas. New Mexico will be under a dual-flank frontal assault during the afternoon, as the pacific front pushes through from the west and a backdoor cold front associated with Saturday's system makes its way through the northeast. The strongest winds will be along the pacific front as it crosses through the central mountain chain. Thirty to forty knot 700 mb winds will once again aid in creating gustier conditions for areas in the central highlands. Temperatures will cool slightly with the passage of these fronts. Western areas will see average to below average temperatures, while the rest of New Mexico will be at or just above normal for this time of year. Slight ridging builds on Monday, leading to more stable conditions with lighter winds and warmer temperatures. Model solutions begin to diverge greatly past Monday, so forecast confidence drops significantly. However, most ensembles including the GEPS have trended towards more of a troughing pattern for the middle of next week. Ensemble cluster analysis would seem to indicate that solutions showing the development of a ridge (such as the one shown by the deterministic GFS) are more of an outlier, with only 15 percent of members agreeing on this outcome. Therefore, there is higher confidence for a windier and more disturbed environment for Tuesday through Thursday. The ECMWF hints at much more robust storm system developing during the middle of the week, bringing more widespread rain and cooler temperatures. But that remains to be seen as confidence is low for this late in the forecast. For now, higher confidence in wind speeds building up on Tuesday afternoon, leading to increased critical fire weather conditions. && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 538 PM MDT Thu Mar 27 2025 A few showers and thunderstorms persist across eastern NM though much of this activity will wane by 02-03Z. Small hail, wind gusts to 40kt and brief heavy rain will remain a concern with these storms. Thereafter, mostly quiet conditions will prevail. There is a low chance of low stratus developing along the Pecos River Valley affecting KROW in the early morning hours once again, but MVFR cigs are most likely if it occurs. These low clouds will clear by 17-18Z. On Friday afternoon, southwest breezes will increase and gusts between 25 and 35 kt will be common in the afternoon. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 320 PM MDT Thu Mar 27 2025 ...LOCALLY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY... Showers and storms have developed today across the higher terrain south and east of Albuquerque. This activity is mostly high-based with strong downburst winds and dry lightning strikes expected. A mixture of wet/dry cells is likely farther to the southeast toward Vaughn and Corona with even some wet cells possible across the far east-central plains. Dry air moving back into the region tonight will lead to borderline poor/fair recoveries across western NM and good to excellent recoveries across the far eastern plains. Forecast changes continue to emerge Friday through Sunday in favor of decreasing coverage of critical fire weather. Several hours of patchy critical conditions are still expected in the area stretching from near Socorro northeastward to Vaughn and Las Vegas Friday. The wind is the limiting factor but minimum humidity remains subcritical with many areas as low as 10%. Winds have also decreased Saturday and Sunday while min humidity remains subcritical below 8,000 ft. If these trends also continue, the overall coverage of critical fire weather will remain patchy through the weekend. Overnight humidity recoveries leading into Saturday morning and Sunday morning will be borderline poor/fair in most areas, except the northern high terrain where slightly better moisture and cooler temps are likely. The overall breezy to windy and dry pattern may continue into early next week. However, given the recent changes, the overall forecast confidence is low to moderate at this time on critical conditions Monday and/or Tuesday. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Farmington...................... 41 71 39 65 / 0 10 20 0 Dulce........................... 32 70 29 61 / 0 10 30 5 Cuba............................ 36 71 33 61 / 0 5 10 0 Gallup.......................... 32 69 27 62 / 0 5 0 0 El Morro........................ 36 67 31 58 / 0 0 0 0 Grants.......................... 31 73 29 64 / 0 0 0 0 Quemado......................... 36 70 32 61 / 0 5 0 0 Magdalena....................... 45 74 40 65 / 5 0 0 0 Datil........................... 38 69 35 61 / 5 0 0 0 Reserve......................... 32 73 32 67 / 0 0 0 0 Glenwood........................ 37 78 39 71 / 0 0 0 0 Chama........................... 31 63 28 54 / 0 5 30 5 Los Alamos...................... 46 69 39 61 / 0 0 5 0 Pecos........................... 39 69 39 61 / 5 0 5 0 Cerro/Questa.................... 36 67 32 59 / 0 0 5 0 Red River....................... 27 61 25 49 / 0 0 5 5 Angel Fire...................... 23 63 29 55 / 5 0 5 5 Taos............................ 31 71 32 62 / 0 0 5 0 Mora............................ 34 69 36 62 / 5 0 5 0 Espanola........................ 40 77 38 69 / 0 0 5 0 Santa Fe........................ 44 70 39 62 / 5 0 10 0 Santa Fe Airport................ 42 74 38 66 / 0 0 5 0 Albuquerque Foothills........... 51 78 47 68 / 5 5 5 0 Albuquerque Heights............. 49 79 46 70 / 5 5 5 0 Albuquerque Valley.............. 46 81 45 73 / 5 0 5 0 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 46 79 45 71 / 5 0 5 0 Belen........................... 44 82 42 73 / 5 0 5 0 Bernalillo...................... 46 80 44 72 / 0 0 5 0 Bosque Farms.................... 44 81 43 73 / 5 0 5 0 Corrales........................ 44 80 45 72 / 0 0 5 0 Los Lunas....................... 44 81 44 72 / 5 0 0 0 Placitas........................ 48 76 44 67 / 0 5 5 0 Rio Rancho...................... 47 79 44 71 / 0 0 5 0 Socorro......................... 51 84 46 76 / 5 0 0 0 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 45 71 40 63 / 5 5 10 5 Tijeras......................... 41 74 42 65 / 5 5 10 5 Edgewood........................ 40 74 39 66 / 5 0 5 0 Moriarty/Estancia............... 34 75 37 67 / 5 0 0 0 Clines Corners.................. 41 71 39 63 / 10 0 0 0 Mountainair..................... 43 74 40 66 / 10 0 5 0 Gran Quivira.................... 41 73 41 66 / 10 0 0 0 Carrizozo....................... 48 76 47 70 / 10 0 0 0 Ruidoso......................... 44 70 47 63 / 20 0 0 0 Capulin......................... 40 73 39 63 / 10 0 0 0 Raton........................... 37 76 38 68 / 5 0 0 0 Springer........................ 36 77 40 69 / 5 0 0 0 Las Vegas....................... 39 73 39 66 / 10 0 0 0 Clayton......................... 47 81 48 73 / 10 0 0 0 Roy............................. 42 78 43 69 / 20 0 0 0 Conchas......................... 47 84 49 76 / 20 0 0 0 Santa Rosa...................... 44 81 48 72 / 20 0 0 0 Tucumcari....................... 51 85 49 77 / 20 0 0 0 Clovis.......................... 48 84 49 80 / 10 0 0 0 Portales........................ 48 83 48 80 / 10 0 0 0 Fort Sumner..................... 48 84 48 77 / 20 0 0 0 Roswell......................... 52 88 51 84 / 20 5 0 0 Picacho......................... 46 81 49 76 / 20 0 0 0 Elk............................. 46 79 48 74 / 20 0 0 0 && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...42 LONG TERM....25 AVIATION...34 Please note: The SYNOPSIS section will be terminated on or about Friday, April 4.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
244 PM MDT Thu Mar 27 2025
NMZ232-233-272115-
Eastern San Miguel County NM-Guadalupe County NM-
244 PM MDT Thu Mar 27 2025
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN GUADALUPE
AND SOUTH CENTRAL SAN MIGUEL COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM MDT...
At 244 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong
thunderstorms extending from 14 miles north of Colonias to 14 miles
south of Dilia, moving northeast at 25 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...
Colonias, Dilia and Milagro.
This includes Interstate 40 between Mile Markers 243 and 268.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 3534 10496 3534 10492 3533 10493 3532 10492
3534 10485 3532 10481 3533 10479 3534 10479
3535 10452 3492 10482 3492 10529
TIME...MOT...LOC 2044Z 236DEG 20KT 3529 10476 3512 10493 3499 10507
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 TO 55 MPH
GuyerSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
324 PM MDT Thu Mar 27 2025
NMZ229-232-272200-
Eastern San Miguel County NM-Northeast Highlands NM-
324 PM MDT Thu Mar 27 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL SAN MIGUEL COUNTY UNTIL
4 PM MDT...
At 324 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles south of Trujillo, or 32 miles north of Santa Rosa, moving
northeast at 20 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...
Trujillo and Trementina.
This includes State Road 104 between Mile Markers 30 and 49.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 3542 10483 3561 10466 3543 10441 3529 10477
3540 10485
TIME...MOT...LOC 2124Z 232DEG 17KT 3539 10472
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 TO 55 MPH
GuyerSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
450 PM MDT Thu Mar 27 2025
NMZ231-272315-
Harding County NM-
450 PM MDT Thu Mar 27 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN HARDING COUNTY
UNTIL 515 PM MDT...
At 450 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Roy, or 22 miles northwest of Mosquero, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea 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...
Roy, Chicosa Lake State Park and Mills.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3622 10414 3622 10412 3605 10391 3589 10423
3602 10436 3604 10436
TIME...MOT...LOC 2249Z 225DEG 20KT 3600 10422
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
34The Amarillo radar (KAMA), 188 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:18 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A nearby decaying thunderstorm produced a 60 mph wind gust at Clayton Municipal Airport.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, March 2025
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: 1233968.