Flash Flood — Taos, New Mexico

2022-08-12 · near Pilar, Taos, New Mexico

Event narrative

A rock slide was reported along Highway 68 between Taos and Embudo. This rock slide was likely caused by repeated rounds of rainfall and not just this one event. Exact time of the rock slide is unknown and is estimated from radar. Damages are estimated.

Wider weather episode

As the upper-level high pressure built over the Great Plains on August 12, 2022, much drier air pushed into eastern and central New Mexico. This led to a downtrend in thunderstorm coverage across much of the area while the monsoonal moisture plume focued across western New Mexico kept conditions relatively more active there. Despite this drier air, isolated thunderstorms were still able to form across the northern mountains although they were weak and short-lived. A rock slide was reported on Highway 68 southwest of Taos. While a thunderstorm did develop in this area and likely contributed to this rock slide, repeated rounds of heavy rain all monsoon season also likely contributed to this event.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.2600, -105.7900)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1038431. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.