An elongated positively tilted upper trough extended through the Great Lakes into Northern New Mexico. An 80 knot jet was also moving through New Mexico which resulted in strong wind shear and severe thunderstorms moving across Sierra and Otero counties with wind gusts up to 78 mph.
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 EPZ wrote it up.
An elongated positively tilted upper trough extended through the Great Lakes into Northern New Mexico. An 80 knot jet was also moving through New Mexico which resulted in strong wind shear and severe thunderstorms moving across Sierra and Otero counties with wind gusts up to 78 mph.
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 Sep 23, 9:55 AM MST, 6 hours 37 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service El Paso TX/Santa Teresa NM 1055 AM MDT Tue Sep 23 2025 ...New DISCUSSION, AVIATION, FIRE WEATHER... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 1049 AM MDT Tue Sep 23 2025 - Minor impacts due to isolated showers and thunderstorms over mountain areas Tuesday. Above normal high temperatures persist until a cold front arrives Wednesday. - More widespread precipitation enters the forecast Thursday through early next week, enhancing the risk for flash flooding. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 1049 AM MDT Tue Sep 23 2025 Very little, if any deviation from previous forecast packages with daily chances of showers and thunderstorms through the work week, especially over Central New Mexico. Rain/storm chances and coverage will increase this weekend. Subtropical high pressure aloft over northern Mexico will remain in place, but through the day an upper level low dropping south over the Central/Southern High Plains will shift the aforementioned upper high slightly west over western Mexico. That said, with sufficient to above average moisture in place, isolated to widely scattered showers and storms will be possible this afternoon, focus over Sierra and Otero Counties. With fairly progressive storm motion, the main hazards will be gusty winds. An Isolated storm or two will be possible for areas along and south of the I-10 corridor and along the International Border. Temperatures this afternoon will remain well above average, topping out in the low to middle 90s across the desert lowlands. In response to the upper level trough dropping south across the High Plains, surface high pressure will develop in it's wake, inducing northerly flow which will promote a backdoor cold front. Said backdoor coldfront will move in from the east/northeast during the Wednesday morning timeframe. High resolution guidance, especially the NAM (which is fairly good at resolving this feature) shows the backdoor frontal passage between sunrise and the mid morning hours on Wednesday. Gusty winds will be likely along and behind this backdoor front, especially along west slopes of area mountains where winds could gust to 40 mph. The passage of this front will also bring in cooler temperatures, dropping temperatures 5-10 degrees. Temperatures on Wednesday will be in the middle 80s across the desert lowlands. Wednesday's backdoor front will not completely scour out moisture, with slight chances (15-25%) for thunderstorms during the afternoon timeframe across the forecast area. During the Thursday and Friday timeframe, the subtropical high will shift eastward in response to an upper level closed low moving onshore over the central California coast. This upper level flow regime will promote an increase of moisture across the region, with rain/storm chances increasing as well. Scattered thunderstorms are expected area wide on Thursday and Friday. With PW values increasing back above 1.0", isolated pockets of flash flooding will be possible each afternoon and evening. For the weekend and into early next week, global deterministic and their respected ensemble suites are showing more and more agreement. Uncertainties remain in replace with regard to the finer details that will be better resolved towards the end of the work week. That said, confidence is increasing gradually in terms of the heavy rain threat and flash flooding threat. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1049 AM MDT Tue Sep 23 2025 VMC expected to prevail for all terminals this afternoon and evening. ISO to SCT TSRA possible across central NM after 20Z. Skies FEW to SCT at 8-12kft during the afternoon, becoming FEW to SKC overnight. Winds will be light at 6-11 knots through the afternoon out of W/NW. A backdoor coldfront will push through Wednesday morning (around 12Z) with winds becoming NE at 9-14 knots with gusts to 20-25 knots during the morning timeframe. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 1049 AM MDT Tue Sep 23 2025 Low fire danger this week with below normal ERCs and high soil moisture. Min RH 30-40% with light west winds 10 to 15 mph. Vent rates will be Good today and Tuesday afternoon with transport to the east. Scattered showers and thunderstorms across central New Mexico, best chances for LNF. Cold front arrives from the northeast Wednesday morning, shifting winds to the NE and cooling temperatures back to seasonal. Storm chances continue for southwest New Mexico, especially for GNF on Thursday. Uptick in storm chances Friday into next weekend as coverage becomes more scattered area wide. Storms will be capable of new lightning starts over forests, but large fire growth is not expected due to light winds and wetness. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... El Paso 95 70 87 66 / 10 20 10 30 Sierra Blanca 90 63 78 57 / 20 20 30 30 Las Cruces 91 63 84 60 / 10 20 20 30 Alamogordo 89 61 84 59 / 20 40 20 20 Cloudcroft 68 43 61 42 / 40 50 30 20 Truth or Consequences 86 60 81 60 / 30 30 20 20 Silver City 83 58 81 56 / 20 10 20 30 Deming 93 66 87 62 / 10 10 10 20 Lordsburg 88 64 87 64 / 10 10 10 10 West El Paso Metro 92 69 84 66 / 10 20 10 30 Dell City 93 63 79 59 / 10 30 20 10 Fort Hancock 95 69 86 65 / 10 20 20 30 Loma Linda 86 60 75 58 / 10 30 10 20 Fabens 93 67 85 65 / 10 20 10 30 Santa Teresa 91 66 84 63 / 10 20 10 30 White Sands HQ 91 64 83 62 / 10 30 20 30 Jornada Range 89 61 83 60 / 20 30 20 30 Hatch 92 62 87 61 / 20 20 20 20 Columbus 92 66 88 64 / 20 10 10 20 Orogrande 88 61 80 59 / 10 30 20 20 Mayhill 77 48 66 46 / 30 50 30 10 Mescalero 79 48 72 47 / 40 50 30 20 Timberon 77 48 69 46 / 20 40 20 20 Winston 79 48 75 49 / 40 20 20 20 Hillsboro 88 57 82 56 / 20 20 20 30 Spaceport 88 58 83 58 / 30 30 20 20 Lake Roberts 83 51 81 51 / 20 10 30 30 Hurley 86 58 82 57 / 10 10 20 20 Cliff 90 60 89 60 / 10 10 20 20 Mule Creek 86 56 85 57 / 10 10 20 10 Faywood 86 61 81 58 / 10 10 20 30 Animas 89 65 89 64 / 20 10 10 10 Hachita 88 63 86 62 / 20 10 10 20 Antelope Wells 88 63 87 62 / 20 10 10 10 Cloverdale 85 62 84 60 / 20 10 10 10 && .EPZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... TX...None. NM...None. && FORECASTER...38-Rogers
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service El Paso TX
316 PM MDT Tue Sep 23 2025
NMZ408-409-232145-
Eastern Black Range Foothills NM-Sierra County Lakes NM-
316 PM MDT Tue Sep 23 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL SIERRA COUNTY
THROUGH 345 PM MDT...
At 316 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles east of Monticello, moving east at 20 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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Rock House, Alamosa Canyon, Lakeshore Highlands, Elephant Butte Lake,
and South Monticello Campground.
This includes Interstate 25 in New Mexico between mile markers 83 and
99.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3348 10699 3323 10701 3328 10743 3348 10739
TIME...MOT...LOC 2116Z 272DEG 18KT 3338 10730
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
40Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service El Paso TX
420 PM MDT Tue Sep 23 2025
NMZ409-427-232245-
Sierra County Lakes NM-West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands NM-
420 PM MDT Tue Sep 23 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN SIERRA COUNTY
THROUGH 445 PM MDT...
At 420 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles northeast of Engle, moving east at 30 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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Salinas Peak.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3320 10699 3345 10696 3344 10643 3307 10648
TIME...MOT...LOC 2220Z 272DEG 25KT 3331 10685
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
40Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service El Paso TX
435 PM MDT Tue Sep 23 2025
NMZ409-232300-
Sierra County Lakes NM-
435 PM MDT Tue Sep 23 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL SIERRA COUNTY
THROUGH 500 PM MDT...
At 434 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
City of Elephant Butte, moving southeast at 30 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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Elephant Butte Lake, Truth or Consequences, Engle, Hot Springs
Landing, Lakeshore Highlands, South Monticello Campground, and Lions
Beach.
This includes Interstate 25 in New Mexico between mile markers 74 and
84.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
If on or near Elephant Butte Lake, get out of the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. If you can hear thunder, you are close
enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not
be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
&&
LAT...LON 3315 10735 3331 10726 3326 10687 3301 10699
TIME...MOT...LOC 2234Z 295DEG 25KT 3320 10722
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service El Paso TX
453 PM MDT Tue Sep 23 2025
NMZ409-427-428-232345-
Sierra County Lakes NM-East Central Tularosa Basin/Alamogordo NM-
West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands NM-
453 PM MDT Tue Sep 23 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN OTERO...
NORTHEASTERN SIERRA AND NORTHEASTERN DONA ANA COUNTIES THROUGH 545 PM
MDT...
At 452 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 18
miles north of Northrup Landing, moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail. Patchy blowing
dust.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Tularosa, Three Rivers, Alamogordo, La Luz, Salinas Peak, Alamorosa,
and Three Rivers Petroglyph Site.
This includes Highway 54 in New Mexico between mile markers 70 and
100.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 3305 10671 3339 10663 3339 10600 3310 10594
3291 10595
TIME...MOT...LOC 2252Z 268DEG 36KT 3320 10650
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
MPHThe Holloman AFB radar (KHDX), 109 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:32 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The Truth or Consequences Airport reported a peak gust of 77 mph.
The White Sands Missile Range site at Tula recorded a peak gust of 78 mph. Another site at the Tula Airstrip recorded a peak gust of 73 mph but could have been higher as comms were cut-off prior to storms arrival. The tower was bent by winds about 30 degrees.
The Salt Creek Mesonet Station reported a peak gust of 63 mph.
Ambient Weather Network station at Casa Cats Purr.
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: 1295083, 1295082, 1295084, 1295081.