Abundant moisture pushed east to west across NM behind a strong cold front ahead of a strong upper level low approaching from AZ. The abundant moisture and favorable weather setup allowed for multiple days of strong to severe thunderstorms to develop across northern and central NM from May 4th through the 6th.
Every event with a place to put it; 5 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.
Abundant moisture pushed east to west across NM behind a strong cold front ahead of a strong upper level low approaching from AZ. The abundant moisture and favorable weather setup allowed for multiple days of strong to severe thunderstorms to develop across northern and central NM from May 4th through the 6th. Alongside all of this was unseasonably cold weather at higher elevations of the northern mountains. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains received 1 to 3 feet of snow at higher elevations above 9,500 feet. These high snow amounts ended up melting fairly quickly or succumbed to rain on snow events producing flooding impacts over portions of the east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains that lasted into May 8th.
Key Words: Heavy Snow, Severe Thunderstorms, River Flooding.
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 May 4, 10:37 AM MST, 47 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 1137 AM MDT Sun May 4 2025 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 1009 AM MDT Sun May 4 2025 - Isolated severe storms with large hail and damaging winds will impact portions of eastern New Mexico today. A Flood Watch for flash flooding is in effect for eastern New Mexico, including much of the Sangre de Cristo and northern Sacramento Mountains, from noon today through late tonight. - Another round of strong to severe storms is forecast for Monday afternoon through the evening hours in eastern New Mexico. There will be more heavy rainfall across this same region through at least Tuesday morning. && .SHORT TERM... (Today through Monday) Issued at 305 AM MDT Sun May 4 2025 A weak vort max is shifting northeastward across south central and southeast NM this morning, allowing for showers and isolated thunderstorms to persist across central and south central areas. This activity will remain light through mid morning. Meanwhile, an upper level low is diving southward over CA and it will deepen as it moves into southwest AZ this afternoon. In response to the approaching low, southeasterly surface flow over eastern NM will advect better Gulf moisture into the area by the afternoon. As large scale ascent moves over NM today, showers and thunderstorms will develop. Storms will first develop along the low level moisture gradient, roughly from the South Central Mountains north- northwestward up the Rio Grande Valley into northwest NM between noon and 2pm. Storms will then expand/shift north and eastward across all of eastern NM through the afternoon. Storms will be moving quickly toward the north or north-northeast today, generally around 25 to 35 mph. Impressive 0-6km shear will exist this afternoon along and east of the central and south central mountains where MUCAPE values between 500-1000 J/kg will also exist. This will allow severe storms to favor this area this afternoon and evening, with large hail and damaging wind gusts the main concerns. Low CAPE values also extend into northwest NM, thus can't rule out a few strong storms across north central and northwest NM with small hail and gusty winds. In addition to the severe weather, flash flooding also remains a concern and a Flood Watch remains in effect for all of eastern NM. Initially, the fast storm motions will limit the threat for flash flooding. However, repeated rounds of precipitation over the same area through the overnight period will increase the potential for flash flooding. It looks like the initial wave of precipitation will still be over NE NM as the next round initiates on the nose of the upper level jet across south central and southeast areas where the better low level moisture resides between 7 and 10pm. This round of precipitation will also track northward through the overnight hours across the same areas that had precipitation earlier in the day. Fortunately, much of northeast NM will have stabilized, thus steady light to moderate rain will be the rule there, but some instability will persist further south. The second wave of precipitation will slowly be exiting northeast NM Monday morning. However, the "break" between waves of precipitation will be difficult to notice as the upper low continues to shift eastward near the NM/AZ border Monday. Additional showers and thunderstorms are expected to continually develop favoring northern and eastern areas through the afternoon Monday. Southeasterly low level flow will persist across northeast NM, but the moisture gradient/dryline will tighten up near a Raton to Santa Rosa to Portales line. East of this line, another round of severe storms is expected to develop. Saturated soils from today's rainfall will increase chances further for flash flooding. Humidity values will lower this afternoon across southwest and south central areas as drier air aloft mixes to the surface. Gusty southerly winds will also be the rule. This areas of drier but gusty southerly winds will expand on Monday as a modest dry slot presses through the area. Last but not least, temperatures will be cold enough for snow across the highest elevations (AOA 10kft) across the northern mountains late this afternoon through the next few days. A few inches of accumulation is possible through Monday. && .LONG TERM... (Monday night through Saturday) Issued at 305 AM MDT Sun May 4 2025 The upper level low, catalyst for the bouts of heavy rain and strong/severe storms, continues to spin over NM/AZ Monday night as it slowly progresses eastward. At the surface, a dryline recedes back westward as surface decoupling occurs. Bulk shear in excess of 50kts is forecast to remain over eastern NM, and marginal SBCAPE hovering around 500 J/kg support convection continuing into the evening hours of Monday. Any stronger storm that develops would be capable of large hail and strong wind gusts, with a low, very isolated tornado threat. A vorticity max swings around the southern edge of the upper low Monday night, adding an additional forcing mechanism to storms across the eastern plains through the night. With PWATs sitting around 0.8", a flash flooding threat begins to materialize as areas across the east may already be saturated from previous rainfall. This becomes amplified with a surface low forming in northeast NM and into the TX panhandle through the day Tuesday, forming a TROWAL feature and sending a front through the plains, which works to locally increase precipitation rates and coverage of rain. This current thinking is mirrored well with both the day 2 and 3 ERO from WPC. Generally, the most likely precip amounts are to fall between 1-2" across eastern NM Monday night through Tuesday, with locally higher amounts in any training or heavier thunderstorms. As the low spins overhead, 700mb temps drop below freezing across the area through the morning and afternoon hours on Tuesday. This propels snow to be the main precip type across terrain above 9,000ft, especially in the northern mountains. Additional accumulations between 3-8in are likely, though will be confined to the peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Minor to locally moderate impacts are likely (>70% chance) to occur during this time as well, though confined to routes along/near mountain passes. As the low moves eastward, disturbances moving down the front side of a building ridge continue to spark afternoon showers and isolated thunderstorms, mainly across higher terrain. This trend continues into the latter part of the week, while temperatures begin to rise as a ridge builds in place. A Rex Block feature may form this weekend, continuing to produce afternoon showers and thunderstorms with weak forcing and instability. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1009 AM MDT Sun May 4 2025 Sct/num thunderstorms are forecast this afternoon/evening, with focus over eastern NM tonight. MVFR conditions are forecast with storms, but short-lived IFR conditions are possible. Large hail will be an aviation hazard later today, mainly across south central and east central NM. A gusty east canyon wind is forecast to develop later today at KABQ and an Airport Weather Warning may be required for gusts of 35-40kts. Widespread MVFR to IFR cigs are forecast to develop overnight across eastern NM and impact KLVS, KTCC and KROW. Mountain obscurations will become more widespread overnight as well. Otherwise, VFR conditions prevail and are forecast to persist. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 305 AM MDT Sun May 4 2025 An active weather pattern will persist through the week. Higher humidity, cooler temperatures and wetting rainfall will be on tap, especially today through Tuesday across northern and eastern NM. Additionally, several inches of snow is expected across the highest peaks (>10kft) across the northern mountains through this period. A few hours of critical fire weather conditions remain expected across the Southwest Mountains and lower Rio Grande Valley this afternoon where gusty southerly winds and RH values between 10 and 15 percent will develop. This will be the only period of critical fire weather conditions for the next week. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Farmington...................... 66 43 59 38 / 80 80 90 30 Dulce........................... 64 37 57 27 / 80 80 90 30 Cuba............................ 63 37 57 31 / 70 80 70 40 Gallup.......................... 65 33 55 28 / 40 70 70 40 El Morro........................ 62 33 51 30 / 50 60 70 40 Grants.......................... 64 34 57 28 / 50 70 50 40 Quemado......................... 65 33 54 31 / 30 40 50 30 Magdalena....................... 66 39 59 37 / 50 50 30 30 Datil........................... 63 33 55 32 / 40 40 40 30 Reserve......................... 69 32 60 27 / 30 40 30 20 Glenwood........................ 73 36 65 32 / 50 40 20 20 Chama........................... 60 35 53 26 / 90 90 90 30 Los Alamos...................... 59 40 56 38 / 80 90 70 30 Pecos........................... 62 38 57 35 / 90 90 70 40 Cerro/Questa.................... 63 36 53 32 / 80 90 80 40 Red River....................... 52 31 42 26 / 80 90 90 50 Angel Fire...................... 56 34 49 24 / 90 90 90 50 Taos............................ 64 36 57 29 / 80 90 80 30 Mora............................ 59 34 53 29 / 90 90 90 50 Espanola........................ 70 44 63 37 / 80 90 70 30 Santa Fe........................ 63 40 57 38 / 80 90 70 40 Santa Fe Airport................ 66 42 61 37 / 80 90 60 30 Albuquerque Foothills........... 67 46 63 44 / 80 80 40 40 Albuquerque Heights............. 69 47 64 41 / 70 80 40 30 Albuquerque Valley.............. 71 44 66 40 / 70 80 30 30 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 70 46 65 42 / 70 80 40 30 Belen........................... 74 44 67 38 / 60 70 30 30 Bernalillo...................... 70 46 66 41 / 80 80 40 30 Bosque Farms.................... 73 42 66 37 / 70 70 30 30 Corrales........................ 71 45 66 41 / 80 80 40 30 Los Lunas....................... 73 43 66 39 / 70 70 30 30 Placitas........................ 66 45 61 42 / 80 80 40 40 Rio Rancho...................... 70 47 64 42 / 70 80 40 30 Socorro......................... 78 46 70 42 / 50 50 20 30 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 62 41 57 37 / 90 90 50 40 Tijeras......................... 65 43 59 38 / 90 80 40 40 Edgewood........................ 64 43 59 35 / 80 80 40 40 Moriarty/Estancia............... 64 42 62 30 / 80 80 40 40 Clines Corners.................. 60 39 57 34 / 90 90 40 40 Mountainair..................... 65 41 60 34 / 80 70 20 40 Gran Quivira.................... 65 40 59 34 / 80 70 20 40 Carrizozo....................... 71 45 65 40 / 70 70 10 40 Ruidoso......................... 62 40 58 37 / 80 70 20 40 Capulin......................... 66 39 52 35 / 50 80 90 60 Raton........................... 68 40 57 35 / 60 90 90 50 Springer........................ 68 41 59 36 / 80 100 90 50 Las Vegas....................... 58 38 55 34 / 90 90 80 50 Clayton......................... 72 44 55 43 / 30 80 100 80 Roy............................. 66 42 57 39 / 80 90 90 70 Conchas......................... 73 48 64 44 / 80 100 80 70 Santa Rosa...................... 68 47 64 41 / 90 90 60 60 Tucumcari....................... 72 48 64 45 / 60 90 80 80 Clovis.......................... 72 47 64 47 / 50 90 70 80 Portales........................ 73 46 65 45 / 50 90 60 80 Fort Sumner..................... 72 48 67 44 / 80 90 60 70 Roswell......................... 75 53 75 50 / 80 90 20 60 Picacho......................... 69 46 69 41 / 80 80 10 50 Elk............................. 68 42 67 38 / 90 80 10 50 && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through late tonight for NMZ214-215-223-226>239. && SHORT TERM...34 LONG TERM....77 AVIATION...11
The Albuquerque radar (KABX), 218 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:23 UTC.
12 hail, 3 winter storm, 2 flood, 1 thunderstorm wind, 1 wildfire, 1 winter weather, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
The Farmington Airport ASOS measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 62 mph.
The Iron Fire in the Gila National Forest in a very remote area of southern Catron County was discovered near noon on May 4th. It quickly expanded under critical fire weather conditions that day with a final mapped acreage of 482 acres. Cooler and wetter weather allowed the fire activity to wane with no further growth occurring after May 6th. No damage has been reported, although evacuations of several nearby campgrounds was ordered.
Penny size hail over northeastern Albuquerque.
Video of broadcast media showed hailstones of a quarter to ping-pong ball size around Cottonwood Mall.
Penny to nickel size hail across west side of Albuquerque.
The Taos Powderhorn SNOTEL measured an estimated total of 24 inches of snow. Snow totals elsewhere in the zone ranged between 9 to 22 inches. The town of Red River lost power due to the heavy snow all day on May 6th.
Penny to quarter size hail in the East Mountain Communities.
Penny to ping-bong ball size hail from a first round of storms.
Quarter size hail north of Edgewood.
Penny to half-dollar size hail near Sedillo, NM.
Quarter size hail near Edgewood, NM.
The Tolby SNOTEL measured an estimated 19 inches. The Eagle Nest COOP observer measured 12 inches one day with 3 inches the prior day for a 15 inch event total. Six inches was also reported near Sapello in the southern edge of the zone.
The Hopewell and Bateman SNOTELs estimated an event total of 12 and 11 inches respectively that occurred over a 36 to 48 hour period in two distinctly separate periods.
A storm spotter in Chacon reported 34 inches of snow had fallen just north of town. Snow totals ranged from 6 to 14 inches elsewhere in the zone. The heavy snow experienced rapid melting and rain and snow producing high rises in area creeks and streams in the subsequent days.
Nickel size hail in Santa Fe.
Penny to nickel size hail.
A trained spotter near Chacon, NM confirmed reports from various sources across social media and broadcast media of flooding across the east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains from a combination of heavy rain and heavy rain on snow within the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon burn scar. The Gallinas Creek in particular responded with high rises that flooded several low water crossings within Las Vegas, NM. Videos shared on Facebook showed flooding in Sapello, NM with other reports of flooding near Mineral Hill west of Las Vegas.
A trained spotter near Chacon confirmed reports from various sources across social media and broadcast media of flooding across the eastern slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains resulting from heavy rain and heavy rain on snow within the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon burn scar. Photos and video were shared of high rises on area creeks and streams near Chacon within the Luna Creek. The NM DOT also posted reports of standing water on NM 434 between mile markers 7 and 14 between El Turquillo and Guadalupita, NM.
Pea to nickel size hail a few blocks southwest of downtown Roswell, with a few ping-pong ball size stones reported.
A trained spotter reported a landspout northwest of the Roswell Correctional Facility, lasting only a few minutes. Path and length are an estimate based on radar imagery and report information.
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 historyThe tornado archive for New Mexico, 2025Warnings in New Mexico, May 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: 1242342, 1244978, 1242352, 1242314, 1242348, 1242260, 1242317, 1242355, 1242320, 1242318, 1242321, 1242266, 1242271, 1242264, 1242353, 1242351, 1242354, 1242307, 1242308, 1242325, 1242337.