Higher moisture moved into New Mexico between an upper low off the coast of southern California and an upper high over northern Mexico. This higher moisture combined with an upper level disturbance moving quickly east along the southern end of an upper low over the northern and central Rockies resulting in the development of showers and thunderstorms across northern and central New Mexico.
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.
Higher moisture moved into New Mexico between an upper low off the coast of southern California and an upper high over northern Mexico. This higher moisture combined with an upper level disturbance moving quickly east along the southern end of an upper low over the northern and central Rockies resulting in the development of showers and thunderstorms across northern and central New Mexico. Storms across south central New Mexico resulted in an estimated 60 mph wind gust in Magdelena and a peak wind gust of 62 mph at the Phillips Hull mesonet on the White Sands Missile Range. Thunderstorms coalesced into a squall line as they moved across eastern NM during the early to mid-evening hours. Peak wind gusts of 69 mph at Melrose Range and 64 mph at the Roswell Air Center and a West Texas Mesonet near Endee in eastern Quay County were measured along the leading edge of this squall line. This line of showers and thunderstorms moved east into West Texas shortly thereafter.
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 Sep 22, 1:41 PM MST, 34 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 241 PM MDT Mon Sep 22 2025 ...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, AVIATION, FIRE WEATHER... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 236 PM MDT Mon Sep 22 2025 - Showers and thunderstorms will develop over western and central New Mexico this afternoon then move quickly east across eastern New Mexico this evening. Wind gusts may exceed 50 mph along with brief heavy rainfall. - A backdoor cold front will bring much cooler temperatures to northeast New Mexico Tuesday then to all of eastern New Mexico on Wednesday. North wind gusts up to 35 mph are possible over eastern NM Tuesday night. Canyon winds may gust to between 25 and 35 mph on the east side of Albuquerque late Tuesday night. - We have increasing forecast confidence that a Pacific system will approach from the west toward the end of the work week, bringing improved chances for showers and storms from Friday through the weekend. This scenario would lead to an increasing risk for burn scar flash flooding going into the weekend. && .SHORT TERM... (This evening through Tuesday night) Issued at 236 PM MDT Mon Sep 22 2025 New Mexico will find itself pinched between two surrounding upper level low pressure systems, one which is currently digging into the central Rockies, and another which is churning over the Pacific off the coast of Southern California. The low off of SoCal is helping pump in some moisture rich southwesterly flow into the Desert Southwest this afternoon, currently producing scattered showers and dense cloud cover over northern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico. The ABQ 18z upper air sounding is showing that PWATs have climbed up to 0.91 inches this afternoon, within the 90th percentile for this time of year. Forcing and instability for storms is quite weak throughout the region, which is why most shower activity is focusing along an area of west-central and northwestern New Mexico where the upper level subtropical jet is providing some useful ascent. With stronger flow aloft, there will be quite a bit of speed shear available for storms (about 40 kts of bulk shear), but most of it will be zonal and with little directional change. There is a marginal risk of severe weather over most of central New Mexico and parts of western and eastern areas as well. The main threat will be strong wind gusts from storms that look to develop along a convectively aided boundary moving east through New Mexico. The severe threat seems to be conditional on how unstable the atmosphere will be able to get. CAPE values are unfavorable over most areas, with values of about 500 J/kg or less. However, RAP analysis indicates that sunny conditions along south-central areas may allow for enough heating to create 1000 to 1500 J/kg of CAPE to establish itself before the boundary reaches Socorro county. As a result, Socorro and Valencia county are the areas of highest confidence to see strong to severe wind gusts. Storms will be moving pretty quickly east and can produce a quick quarter to half inch of rainfall, but little to no flooding impacts are expected. Overnight, a backdoor cold front will being to push south through northeastern New Mexico, creating breezy condtions throughout the plains and dropping temperatures to below average for this time of year. Guidance is also showing a signal for low clouds to develop along the Colorado border near Raton Pass, where lowered visibility may create hazardous driving conditions in the early morning hours on Tuesday. Northeastern areas will also be the main location for showers and storms on Tuesday afternoon. As the main trough axis from the low over the central Rockies crosses the region, a second stronger push of the backdoor front will swing through the eastern plains. Meanwhile, drier northwesterly air will begin to seep south through northwestern New Mexico, creating a sharp moisture gradient across the state. As a result, storm chances will focus mainly along and east of the central mountain chain, where there is better moisture and forcing from the backdoor front. The front looks to reach the gaps of the Sandia-Manzanos by late Tuesday night, pushing through a brisk gap wind for the Albuquerque metro. Parts of the eastern plains may see 30 kt wind gusts during the evening and low clouds developing over the early morning hours on Wednesday. && .LONG TERM... (Wednesday through Sunday) Issued at 236 PM MDT Mon Sep 22 2025 Drier mid and upper level northwesterly flow over New Mexico looks to greatly decrease PoPs throughout the region on Wednesday. Precipitable water content will sink into 0.4 to 0.5 range, below average for this time of year. Perhaps a light shower or two may develop over the Gila, where orographic forcing may be able to squeeze out some rain from the limited moisture available in southern areas. In the wake of the backdoor cold front, high temperatures for wednesday will be about 10 degrees below average for this time of year for areas east of the central mountain chain. A sort of Omega block develops over the intermountain west as the Pacific low begins to encroach on the California coast and troughing continues to dig east over the Mississippi river valley. As a result of this slight ridging over New Mexico, stable and mostly dry conditions will remain on Thursday for the majority of the region. Some southerly flow begins to bring moisture back over southwestern areas, where an isolated storm may develop during the afternoon. Heading into the end of the week, increased moisture looks to surge back into the Desert Southwest as the SoCal low beings to steer in some moisture rich southerly flow from the Pacific. There is still some uncertainty regarding the timing of this system as it moves from California into New Mexico, but chances for precipitation increase areawide through the weekend. PWATs look to climb to near an inch on Sunday, well above average for this time of year. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 236 PM MDT Mon Sep 22 2025 Dense cloud cover currently covers the northwestern corner of New Mexico and areas along the Colorado border. Light rain will continue to fall at KGUP over the next few hours, with vicinity showers near KFMN. Some thunderstorms will be rolling into central NM during the mid afternoon, bringing some gusty and erratic winds for KAEG and KABQ. A backdoor front will push through northeastern NM this evening, where some breezy winds may affect KCAO and KTCC. Low MVFR ceilings look to remain in far northern NM near KRTN. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 236 PM MDT Mon Sep 22 2025 Fire weather concerns will remain at a minimum through the next several days. Increased moisture today and tomorrow will lead to scattered thunderstorms throughout the region. Strong to severe storms in central New Mexico may produce locally heavy rainfall and frequent lightning. Strong wind gusts are the main severe weather concern this afternoon. A backdoor cold front will initially push through eastern areas tonight, with a second stronger push tomorrow night with winds of 20 to 30 kts. Drier northwesterly air during the middle of the week will lower chances of precipitation throughout the region. Wetter conditions look to return towards the end of the week. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Farmington...................... 50 74 46 78 / 10 0 0 0 Dulce........................... 38 72 34 75 / 10 20 5 10 Cuba............................ 45 72 41 71 / 20 10 5 10 Gallup.......................... 45 76 40 78 / 20 0 0 5 El Morro........................ 47 74 43 76 / 30 10 0 10 Grants.......................... 46 77 42 77 / 30 10 5 10 Quemado......................... 48 76 45 79 / 20 20 0 20 Magdalena....................... 53 76 50 73 / 30 40 10 20 Datil........................... 48 75 46 75 / 30 40 10 30 Reserve......................... 50 84 48 83 / 20 20 0 20 Glenwood........................ 55 89 55 88 / 10 20 0 20 Chama........................... 38 66 35 69 / 20 30 10 10 Los Alamos...................... 50 72 46 70 / 20 10 10 10 Pecos........................... 47 73 43 68 / 20 20 30 20 Cerro/Questa.................... 41 68 39 67 / 20 40 30 10 Red River....................... 38 59 32 58 / 20 50 30 20 Angel Fire...................... 33 63 26 62 / 10 40 30 20 Taos............................ 41 72 38 71 / 10 30 20 10 Mora............................ 46 69 39 64 / 20 30 30 20 Espanola........................ 48 78 45 76 / 10 10 10 10 Santa Fe........................ 50 74 46 70 / 20 10 20 10 Santa Fe Airport................ 47 77 44 73 / 20 10 20 10 Albuquerque Foothills........... 58 80 55 75 / 20 10 10 10 Albuquerque Heights............. 55 82 53 77 / 20 10 10 5 Albuquerque Valley.............. 54 84 51 78 / 20 5 10 5 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 56 82 53 77 / 20 5 10 5 Belen........................... 54 84 51 78 / 20 10 10 5 Bernalillo...................... 54 83 51 78 / 20 5 10 5 Bosque Farms.................... 53 84 48 78 / 20 10 10 5 Corrales........................ 55 84 51 78 / 20 5 10 5 Los Lunas....................... 54 84 51 78 / 20 5 10 5 Placitas........................ 54 78 50 74 / 20 10 10 10 Rio Rancho...................... 55 82 52 77 / 20 5 10 5 Socorro......................... 58 86 56 80 / 20 30 20 20 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 50 75 46 71 / 20 10 10 10 Tijeras......................... 52 76 48 72 / 20 10 10 10 Edgewood........................ 47 77 45 72 / 20 10 20 10 Moriarty/Estancia............... 45 79 44 72 / 20 10 20 10 Clines Corners.................. 48 73 44 65 / 20 10 30 10 Mountainair..................... 50 77 46 71 / 20 20 20 10 Gran Quivira.................... 50 78 48 70 / 30 20 30 20 Carrizozo....................... 57 82 54 74 / 40 30 40 20 Ruidoso......................... 54 75 49 65 / 40 30 50 40 Capulin......................... 46 64 41 61 / 30 40 60 10 Raton........................... 48 68 42 65 / 20 50 50 10 Springer........................ 46 73 44 68 / 20 30 40 10 Las Vegas....................... 46 72 42 65 / 20 20 40 20 Clayton......................... 54 73 50 68 / 20 20 50 10 Roy............................. 51 74 47 67 / 30 30 50 10 Conchas......................... 56 81 53 74 / 30 20 50 10 Santa Rosa...................... 56 79 52 71 / 30 20 50 10 Tucumcari....................... 57 79 50 71 / 30 10 40 10 Clovis.......................... 60 84 55 75 / 30 10 50 10 Portales........................ 60 85 56 75 / 30 10 50 20 Fort Sumner..................... 58 83 55 75 / 40 10 40 10 Roswell......................... 63 88 60 77 / 30 10 50 20 Picacho......................... 58 83 55 72 / 30 30 40 30 Elk............................. 56 81 51 69 / 20 30 30 30 && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...25 LONG TERM....25 AVIATION...25
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
113 PM MDT Mon Sep 22 2025
NMZ205-208-222000-
Southwest Mountains NM-West Central Plateau NM-
113 PM MDT Mon Sep 22 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN CATRON COUNTY
UNTIL 2 PM MDT...
At 113 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles south of Salt Lake, or 43 miles north of Reserve, moving east
at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny 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...
Quemado and Omega.
This includes Highway 60 between Mile Markers 17 and 48.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3431 10883 3441 10884 3449 10829 3447 10827
3447 10825 3448 10824 3448 10823 3446 10823
3445 10824 3420 10826 3425 10883
TIME...MOT...LOC 1912Z 267DEG 34KT 3433 10876
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 TO 55 MPH
16Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
145 PM MDT Mon Sep 22 2025
NMZ208-222015-
Southwest Mountains NM-
145 PM MDT Mon Sep 22 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN CATRON COUNTY
UNTIL 215 PM MDT...
At 145 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Omega, or 34 miles west of Datil, moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Pietown and Omega.
This includes Highway 60 between Mile Markers 36 and 64.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 3426 10848 3441 10846 3443 10815 3442 10815
3440 10814 3439 10813 3438 10811 3438 10810
3439 10810 3440 10808 3440 10807 3441 10805
3441 10802 3440 10801 3440 10799 3439 10798
3418 10799
TIME...MOT...LOC 1945Z 269DEG 33KT 3432 10840
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
16Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 147 PM MDT Mon Sep 22 2025 NMZ208-241-222015- Southwest Mountains NM-San Agustin Plains and Adjacent Lowlands NM- 147 PM MDT Mon Sep 22 2025 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL CATRON COUNTY UNTIL 215 PM MDT... At 147 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10 miles northwest of Old Horse Springs, or 29 miles west of Datil, moving east at 30 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny 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... Mainly rural areas of Central Catron County. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening weather conditions. This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. && LAT...LON 3396 10840 3413 10843 3419 10803 3394 10798 TIME...MOT...LOC 1946Z 268DEG 25KT 3404 10833 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH 16
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
303 PM MDT Mon Sep 22 2025
NMZ207-208-220-241-222130-
Lower Rio Grande Valley NM-West Central Highlands NM-Southwest
Mountains NM-San Agustin Plains and Adjacent Lowlands NM-
303 PM MDT Mon Sep 22 2025
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN SOCORRO
COUNTY UNTIL 330 PM MDT...
At 303 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong
thunderstorms extending from 20 miles north of Magdalena to 6 miles
east of National Radio Astronomy Observatory, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny 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...
Magdalena.
This includes Highway 60 between Mile Markers 92 and 98...and
between Mile Markers 101 and 121.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 3409 10760 3426 10749 3442 10745 3448 10698
3421 10702 3403 10713
TIME...MOT...LOC 2103Z 269DEG 25KT 3439 10732 3421 10738 3410 10751
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 TO 55 MPH
16The Albuquerque radar (KABX), 121 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:15 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A trained spotter in Magdalena reported an estimated peak wind gust of about 60 mph from a severe thunderstorm.
The White Sands Missile Range mesonet station at Phillips Hill measured a peak wind gust of 62 mph from a severe thunderstorm. The station went offline 5 to 10 minutes later so the end time is estimated based on radar and surrounding observations.
The ASOS at the Roswell Air Center measured a 64 mph wind gust on the leading edge of a line of severe thunderstorms.
The RAWS station at Melrose Range observed a 69 mph wind gust on the leading edge of a line of severe thunderstorms.
The West Texas Mesonet station near Endee measured a 64 mph wind gust on the leading edge of a line of severe thunderstorms.
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, September 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: 1285508, 1285662, 1285663, 1285665, 1285679.