2018 Annual Weather Highlights Severe Weather

Severe weather typically occurs across central and eastern New Mexico, however, there are occasionally reports west of the mountains, and many times those are flash flood reports. The map below shows the spatial variation of severe weather reports for 2018.  Click on an individual balloon for more details on the event.

 

 

In 2018, there was a total of 280 severe weather reports across the state. To put this number in perspective, in 2017, there were a total of 420 reports, while in 2016, there were 222 reports. This years number of reports is slightly above average, while last year was well above average. A total of 329 severe thunderstorm warnings were issued by our office. Only 11 (out of 122) other NWS offices issued more severe thunderstorm warnings. 

 

Here are the top severe weather events that occurred in New Mexico in chronological order.

May 21st-23rd: Three days of severe weather plagued New Mexico in May. A strong low pressure system moving into Arizona from the west allowed abundant moisture to be pulled up into New Mexico as far west as the Continental Divide. On the 21st, storms fired by the late morning hours along the Continental Divide which brought high winds, hail and even funnel clouds to the area. These storms moved into the Rio Grande Valley during the afternoon, and dumped copious amounts of hail and rain to the Albuquerque Metro Area. One woman was killed and five others injured when they were swept away in the urban drainage system designed to carry flood waters. Storms then shifted across eastern NM through the evening hours. Portions of Lincoln County were among the hardest hit areas with several inches of hail accumulation noted in Corona and Alto. By the 22nd, the upper level storm system shifted toward the Four Corners area, and as such, the bulk of the severe weather shifted eastward as well, focusing on portions of central and eastern NM. A 12 car pileup was noted on I-25 near Santa Fe due to slick, hail covered roadways. The most active day of the three was the 23rd.  Storms developed along the dryline across the high plains by mid to late afternoon.  A beautiful supercell over eastern Lincoln County near Picacho spawned two tornadoes and large hail. One of tornadoes lasted at least 15 minutes, but occurred over private property, and NWS Meteorologists were unable to survey the damage. Another very impressive, long duration supercell storm over western San Miguel County produced torrential rainfall, flooding, high winds, and very large hail near Tecolotito and Anton Chico.

 

              

Left: Accumulated hail along U.S. Highway 54 southwest of Corona on May 21st. Photo by Kevin M. Smith.
Right: Hail piled up along the sides of an arroyo in Santa Fe on May 22nd. Photo by Amy Lewis. 

June 3rd: Though severe weather had occurred earlier in the afternoon, a storm during the late evening hours on June 3rd resulted in very high winds and substantial damage across portions of Chaves County. Three single-wide mobile homes were overturned and destroyed near Sagebrush Valley Road and U.S. Highway 285 west of Hagerman. All three trailers were supported on concrete blocks with no tie-downs and no skirting. Fortunately, there were no injuries as none of the units were occupied at the time. Several recreational vehicles were also overturned and damaged in the vicinity. Additionally, a large barn with concrete floors, concrete footings, and large wood beam trusses was completely destroyed by straight line winds causing a semi-trailer inside to be overturned. 

Other Interesting Facts: The first documented tornado occurred in the Moreno Valley on August 9th. The landspout tornado formed near Eagle Nest, just west of U.S. 64 between mile markers 283 and 284. The tornado was on the ground for several minutes, crossing U.S. 64 before dissipating over the northeast portion of Eagle Nest Lake. Most tornado rotate cyclonically, or counter-clockwise. Interestingly, this landspout rotated anti-cyclonically, or clockwise. Though only rated as an EF-0, the lowest on the Fujita Scale, it did some damage along it's path. For more on the damage, check out our Top Ten Weather Stories. 

Eagle Nest Landspout. Snapshot taken from a video by Michael Harmon. 

The Ute Park wildfire started just after 2pm MDT on May 31, 2018, just south of U.S. Highway 64 in Ute Park. The fire crossed U.S. Highway 64 over the coming days, scorching in total over 36,000 acres, including over 26,000 on Philmont Scout Ranch, by June 17th. Though no residences and only 14 outbuildings were burned during the fire, residences were not as lucky following the fire once the heavy rains hit. 

   

Ute Park burn scar. Photos by Kerry Jones.

Over the duration of the monsoon, at least eleven flash flood events occurred within or downstream of the burn scar. Mudslides often closed the highway, but three of the flash flood events stood out due to the extent of the flood wave and resulting damage. On July 13, 12 homes were damaged along with several vehicles. Four of the 12 homes sustained at least moderate damage. On August 2nd, an even bigger flood wave damaged 28 homes, including six that were completely cut off from access due to the amount of mud, water and debris. Unfortunately, it wasn't long before it happened again. On August 8th, a similar flood wave damaged the same areas that were hit on August 2nd. 

   

Ute Park burn scar flash flooding on August 2nd. Photos by Thomas Vigil.

How does 2018 compare to normal? Since 1950, the average number of tornadoes reported in the state is 8 to 9, which makes 2018 just above average.  At least one tornado has been reported each year since 1953, and before that it is likely that most tornadoes went unreported.  The highest number of tornadoes ever reported was in 1991, when 31 tornadoes devastated parts of the state, especially Eddy and Lea counties.  The average number of hail reports has steadily increased since 1950 due to increased awareness, and today the average number of events is near 130.  This makes the number of severe hail reports this year just above normal.  Complete flash flooding records only date back to 1993, however since then, the average number of flash flooding events is around 40 per year, which makes 2018 right near normal. Reported thunderstorm wind events were nearly double the average number of 35 events per year.