Heavy Rain — Catron, New Mexico

2015-01-30 to 2015-01-31 · near Glenwood Catron Co A, Catron, New Mexico

Event narrative

Heavy rain within the headwaters of Whitewater Creek produced high flows along Catwalk Road. Several feet of rocks, mud, and debris were observed within flood-prone low water crossings.

Wider weather episode

A closed upper level low that developed southwest of San Diego California moved into central Arizona early on the 30th before shifting south into Mexico on the 31st. This system drew significant subtropical moisture northward into the area, with nearly record high precipitable water values that were around 3 standard deviations above the mean. Mid level warm air advection prevented a more widespread snow event, limiting major snowfall accumulations to mainly areas above 7500 feet. Even then, a significantly deep warm layer on the 31st created a mix of rain, snow, and sleet for locations as high up as 10000 feet. Fifteen inches of snow was reported in the Jemez Mountains with nearly 2 inches of rain falling in the Glenwood area. High flows, mud, rocks, and debris were reported along the access road to the Catwalk in Catron County.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.3373, -108.8561)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 551808. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.