Scattered to numerous afternoon thunderstorm activity mainly focused along and east of the central mountain chain produced widespread gusty winds that lofted abundant dust from Albuquerque to Santa Fe May 25th. While the dust lowered visibility a couple of miles, severe outflow gusts reaching 63 mph were measured at the Santa Fe Airport.
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.
Scattered to numerous afternoon thunderstorm activity mainly focused along and east of the central mountain chain produced widespread gusty winds that lofted abundant dust from Albuquerque to Santa Fe May 25th. While the dust lowered visibility a couple of miles, severe outflow gusts reaching 63 mph were measured at the Santa Fe 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 May 25, 12:17 PM MST, 29 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 117 PM MDT Mon May 25 2026 ...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, AVIATION, FIRE WEATHER... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 1216 PM MDT Mon May 25 2026 - Widespread showers and thunderstorms will bring soaking rains to the Land of Enchantment today through Tuesday. - There is a moderate (60-70%) risk for flash flooding within and downstream of the South Fork, Salt and Seven Cabins burn scars this afternoon through tonight. There is a moderate (40-60%) risk on Tuesday. - There is a low to moderate (20-40%) risk for severe thunderstorms across eastern NM Friday afternoon and evening. && .SHORT TERM... (This evening through Tuesday night) Issued at 1216 PM MDT Mon May 25 2026 A Pacific low is moving east through central AZ and moisture advection is ramping up ahead of it across NM. The subtropical jetstream is active across the far eastern Pacific and into northern NM, putting portions of southern NM in the left entrance region and bringing enhanced ascent ahead of the approaching Pacific low. In addition, there is notable developing diffluence aloft, which will hold over the area through tonight. PWATs are still forecast to surge to near daily record values today and the 00Z KABQ upper air sounding will tell the tape. The result will be a fairly widespread soaking rain event, with numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms through the evening hours and favoring central NM. Multiple rounds of showers and storms producing short- lived downpours are already impacting the burn scars near Ruidoso and the flash flood threat will continue to increase into the early evening hours. The threat for flash flooding is low, but non-zero, elsewhere. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast to shift east overnight across eastern NM, with lightning activity trending down gradually. Elevated PWATs will remain over the area Tuesday and after some daytime heating another round of convection is forecast to take off. The latest NAM is particularly bullish on storms taking off over the west central mountains Tuesday afternoon, then moving east into the RGV late day impacting the I-25 corridor from Socorro north through Albuquerque and Santa Fe to Taos. Another round of storms is forecast to develop over the South Central Mountain Tuesday afternoon and move slowly east, producing locally heavy rainfall and bringing a renewed flash flood threat. Another Flash Flood Watch will likely be required for the South Central Mountains Tuesday, mainly for burn scar considerations. Storms will move out into eastern NM through Tuesday evening before diminishing with the loss of daytime heating. && .LONG TERM... (Wednesday through Sunday) Issued at 1216 PM MDT Mon May 25 2026 A large and potent upper low over NV/CA will steer stronger southwest flow aloft and much drier air into western NM on Wed/Thu, bringing breezy to locally windy conditions during the afternoon and evening hours. Gulf moisture will remain across eastern NM and by Thursday afternoon, isolated storms are possible. The upper low will fill and eject east through the Great Basin Friday, steering dry westerlies further east across the state and bringing moisture convergence across eastern NM and a round of strong to severe thunderstorms. Low level easterly flow will transport moisture gradually westward across the area this weekend into early next week as an upper high slowly builds along the AZ/NM border, bringing daily rounds of daytime heating triggered convection. Next week is looking active, with continued chances for showers and thunderstorms. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1216 PM MDT Mon May 25 2026 VFR conditions prevail and are forecast to persist outside of numerous showers and storms through this evening, where MVFR conditions are likely and short-lived IFR conditions are possible. Deterioration is forecast overnight, especially along/east of the central mountain chain. Mountain obscurations will become fairly widespread overnight as well. Thunderstorms are forecast to impact the KABQ/KAEG/KSAF airspace between 20-00Z, with gusty/erratic wind likely in addition to short-lived MVFR conditions. Rain will persist overnight into Tuesday morning at KROW, where MVFR condtions are currently forecast but low probabilities for IFR exist. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 1216 PM MDT Mon May 25 2026 Critical fire weather conditions are not forecast through the next seven days. A fairly widespread wetting event is underway, with good chances for soaking rains as a Pacific low swings east across the region. Higher humidity and chances for wetting precipitation will linger through Tuesday, favoring central and eastern NM. Increasing southwest flow will dry-out western NM Wed/Thu, with breezy to locally windy conditions during the afternoons. Elevated to near critical fire weather conditions are forecast Wed/Thu afternoons between the Continental Divide and the AZ border, but higher humidly and wetting rainfall today and tonight will lower ERCs and make the rapid fire spread a lower threat. Gulf moisture will remain across eastern NM Thu/Fri, leading good to excellent humidity recovery and chances for wetting storms. Moisture will transport westward across the state through the weekend and into early next week, leading to higher than normal humidity and chances for wetting storms. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Farmington...................... 50 77 47 84 / 40 30 5 0 Dulce........................... 42 72 38 79 / 70 50 10 0 Cuba............................ 42 71 42 76 / 60 40 10 0 Gallup.......................... 40 74 39 80 / 50 20 5 0 El Morro........................ 42 71 41 78 / 80 20 10 0 Grants.......................... 41 75 40 81 / 70 20 10 0 Quemado......................... 43 73 41 78 / 70 10 5 0 Magdalena....................... 48 72 48 78 / 70 50 20 0 Datil........................... 44 70 44 77 / 70 20 10 0 Reserve......................... 40 79 39 80 / 30 10 5 0 Glenwood........................ 43 84 44 85 / 20 10 5 0 Chama........................... 40 66 37 73 / 70 60 20 5 Los Alamos...................... 50 68 49 75 / 60 60 30 5 Pecos........................... 44 67 42 75 / 70 50 30 10 Cerro/Questa.................... 46 66 43 73 / 50 70 30 20 Red River....................... 40 57 36 63 / 70 70 30 20 Angel Fire...................... 37 62 33 68 / 70 70 30 40 Taos............................ 46 69 41 76 / 60 50 30 10 Mora............................ 46 63 41 71 / 80 70 40 30 Espanola........................ 50 75 48 82 / 60 40 20 0 Santa Fe........................ 49 69 47 76 / 70 50 30 5 Santa Fe Airport................ 48 72 46 79 / 60 40 30 0 Albuquerque Foothills........... 54 77 53 82 / 60 30 20 0 Albuquerque Heights............. 52 78 52 83 / 60 30 20 0 Albuquerque Valley.............. 51 81 51 85 / 60 30 20 0 Albuquerque West Mesa........... 52 79 52 84 / 60 40 20 0 Belen........................... 48 80 49 85 / 60 40 20 0 Bernalillo...................... 52 79 51 84 / 60 30 20 0 Bosque Farms.................... 47 80 48 85 / 60 40 20 0 Corrales........................ 51 80 51 84 / 60 40 20 0 Los Lunas....................... 47 80 48 85 / 60 40 20 0 Placitas........................ 53 74 52 81 / 60 40 20 0 Rio Rancho...................... 52 79 52 84 / 60 40 20 0 Socorro......................... 54 82 54 86 / 60 60 20 0 Sandia Park/Cedar Crest......... 49 71 47 77 / 70 40 30 0 Tijeras......................... 49 72 48 79 / 70 40 30 0 Edgewood........................ 48 71 44 79 / 70 50 30 0 Moriarty/Estancia............... 42 72 40 80 / 70 50 30 0 Clines Corners.................. 46 66 44 75 / 70 50 40 5 Mountainair..................... 46 72 44 78 / 70 40 30 0 Gran Quivira.................... 46 70 45 78 / 70 40 30 0 Carrizozo....................... 52 73 51 80 / 70 50 20 0 Ruidoso......................... 48 66 47 73 / 80 70 20 5 Capulin......................... 44 64 42 69 / 60 70 40 60 Raton........................... 46 68 44 74 / 60 70 20 40 Springer........................ 48 68 44 76 / 70 60 40 50 Las Vegas....................... 47 64 44 73 / 80 60 30 10 Clayton......................... 51 71 49 73 / 30 50 30 30 Roy............................. 49 66 47 74 / 70 70 40 10 Conchas......................... 53 73 51 82 / 80 70 40 5 Santa Rosa...................... 52 69 49 80 / 80 70 20 5 Tucumcari....................... 54 74 51 82 / 70 80 30 10 Clovis.......................... 54 72 51 81 / 90 80 30 5 Portales........................ 54 72 51 82 / 90 80 40 10 Fort Sumner..................... 53 73 51 82 / 90 70 30 5 Roswell......................... 58 75 55 86 / 80 50 20 5 Picacho......................... 52 72 48 82 / 80 70 20 10 Elk............................. 48 72 46 80 / 80 60 20 10 && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch until midnight MDT tonight for NMZ226. && SHORT TERM...11 LONG TERM....11 AVIATION...11
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
109 PM MDT Mon May 25 2026
NMZ211-218-252000-
Santa Fe Metro Area NM-Jemez Mountains NM-
109 PM MDT Mon May 25 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN LOS ALAMOS...
SOUTHEASTERN SANDOVAL AND NORTHWESTERN SANTA FE COUNTIES UNTIL 2 PM
MDT...
At 109 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
San Felipe Pueblo, or 13 miles northeast of Bernalillo, moving north
at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 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...
White Rock, Santo Domingo Pueblo, Cochiti Lake, Cochiti Pueblo,
Kewa Pueblo, La Bajada, Frijoles, Bandelier National Monument, San
Felipe Pueblo and Pena Blanca.
This includes Interstate 25 between Mile Markers 253 and 264.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
Blowing dust associated with strong thunderstorm winds can reduce
visibility below one quarter mile at times.
&&
LAT...LON 3541 10658 3542 10659 3589 10646 3585 10625
3583 10623 3583 10617 3581 10608 3540 10629
3540 10639 3545 10644 3545 10646 3542 10648
3543 10651 3541 10651
TIME...MOT...LOC 1909Z 201DEG 29KT 3546 10640
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 TO 55 MPH
53-SchroederSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
145 PM MDT Mon May 25 2026
NMZ212-214-217-218-252030-
Espanola Valley NM-Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains NM-
Glorieta Mesa Including Glorieta Pass NM-Santa Fe Metro Area NM-
145 PM MDT Mon May 25 2026
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN RIO
ARRIBA AND NORTHERN SANTA FE COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM MDT...
At 145 PM MDT, Surface observations an area of strong thunderstorms
extending from 6 miles southeast of White Rock to near Cerrillos
Hills State Park, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Surface observations.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Santa Fe, Pojoaque, Eldorado At Santa Fe, Tesuque, Hyde Memorial
State Park, Canada De Los Alamos, Rio En Medio in Santa Fe County,
La Cienega and Nambe Pueblo.
This includes the following highways...
Highway 285 between Mile Markers 284 and 290. Interstate 25 between
Mile Markers 274 and 302.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
Blowing dust associated with strong thunderstorm winds can reduce
visibility below one quarter mile at times.
&&
LAT...LON 3583 10619 3599 10601 3581 10578 3554 10572
3536 10610 3559 10609 3577 10622 3578 10621
3579 10620 3580 10619 3581 10618 3582 10618
3583 10617 3583 10618
TIME...MOT...LOC 1945Z 230DEG 24KT 3575 10611 3558 10608 3545 10608
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
16The Albuquerque radar (KABX), 84 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:46 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A strong thunderstorm outflow gust reaching 63 mph at the Santa Fe Airport ASOS also lofted abundant dust from Albuquerque to Santa Fe.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, May 2026
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: 1326754.