Critical Fire Weather Concerns; Storm Tracking Across the Plains

Combination of strong winds, dry conditions and above normal temperatures will result in elevated to critical fire weather concerns for the Southern Plains and portions of Southern California. This is part of a storm system that is tracking across the central Plains with occasional snow showers and heavier snow from the Rockies through the Central/Northern Plains. Read More >

Hazard Awareness

Introduction

Heat Stress

Wildfires

Downburst Winds &
Dust Storms

Lightning

Flash Floods

New Mexico and other areas across the Southwest U.S. are affected by the North American Monsoon System (NAMS) every summer, and the “Monsoon Season” is designated as the period lasting from June 15th through September 30th. With the onset of the Monsoon, New Mexico is typically impacted by a variety of weather hazards that can often put the population at risk for serious injury or death. Thunderstorm frequency increases during this period, while exceptionally hot days are common as well. These pages were prepared to help promote awareness of the life-threatening weather hazards that affect New Mexico during the Summer Monsoon. Monsoon Awareness Week typically takes place during the 2nd week of June!

Each Day of Monsoon Awareness Week will focus on select weather hazards:

Sunday: Introduction & Excessive Heat
Monday: Lightning
Tuesday: Downburst Winds & Dust Storms
Wednesday: Camping & Hiking Safety
Thursday: Flash Flooding
Friday: Wildfires & Debris Flows
Saturday: Boating Safety

Additional details about monsoon weather patterns, temperature and precipitation statistics, local maps, and analysis resources can also be found on our Monsoon Highlights page.

Despite the desert environment of the Land of Enchantment, statistics indicate that significant weather events associated with the Monsoon are responsible for property damage, injuries and fatalities across the state every single year.

As a result, we urge all residents and visitors to become familiar with the hazards associated with the Summer Monsoon. Please take the time to review safety rules that could save your life or help prevent serious injury. Community governments and businesses should review their emergency action preparedness plans and are urged to conduct drills to train staff and employees in flash flood procedures.

The best way to avoid lightning, flash floods, and other dangerous weather events during the monsoon season is by staying alert of the weather conditions and avoiding the threat before it occurs. Many opportunities are available to gain weather information including:

Monitoring current weather forecasts on TV or the internet.
Listening to weather reports on the radio or a NOAA weather radio.
Subscribing to lightning and severe weather notification services.
Scanning the skies 360 degrees around and overhead before leaving a safe location.

Understanding Watches, Warnings, and Advisories:

Watches (Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood, and Tornado, for example) mean that widespread severe weather or flash flooding is possible. A watch means that severe weather or flash flooding has not yet occurred, but weather conditions are becoming highly volatile. Pay close attention to the weather, and tune into TV, radio, or NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts regularly.

Warnings (Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood, Tornado, Dust Storm, Excessive Heat) mean that life-threatening weather is about to occur, or has been reported. Take action immediately.

Areal Flood Advisories mean heavy rains will cause minor flooding of washes, streams, and typical flood-prone areas. Flooding in this situation is usually not serious. If the flooding does become life threatening, then the flood advisory is upgraded to a Flood Warning.

Warnings are not issued for lightning, mainly because thunderstorms, no matter how weak, can produce deadly cloud-to-ground lightning. Any time thunderstorms are in the area, lightning is a serious threat. This is supported by the fact lightning is the number one killer in New Mexico, with 96 deaths since 1959.

News media and New Mexico emergency managers or anyone needing information on Monsoon Season significant weather, or any other preparedness and planning, are invited to contact one of the following offices for details:

	Northern and Central New Mexico (NWS Albuquerque NM) Scott Overpeck - Warning Coordination Meteorologist (505) 244-9150 Ext. 223
	Southwest and South Central New Mexico (NWS El Paso TX) Jason Laney - Warning Coordination Meteorologist (575) 589-4088 Ext. 223
	Southeastern New Mexico (NWS Midland TX) Amber Hluchan - Warning Coordination Meteorologist (432) 563-5901 Ext. 223

Most of the statistics depicted on the Monsoon Awareness Week web pages were obtained using the publication Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena, which contains chronological listings, by state, of hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms, hail, floods, drought conditions, lightning, high winds, snow, temperature extremes and other weather phenomena. The reports are provided by the National Weather Service and contain statistics on personal injuries and damage estimates. Storm Data is a publication of the National Climatic Data Center.