Flash Flood — Sierra, New Mexico

2016-10-09 · near Las Palomas, Sierra, New Mexico

Event narrative

Numerous reports of flash flooding were received around a 5 mile radius of Williamsburg. Flooding was reported on King Canyon Road and water was above bridge level on Highway 187 along with debris on the road. Palomas Creek was flooded about 6 miles northwest of the I-25 bridge.

Wider weather episode

A weak upper level trough was moving across the Rockies with a 50 knot jet streak on the back side of it. Low level winds were out of the southeast providing plenty of wind shear and Gulf moisture to the region for strong to severe thunderstorms. Moisture values were uncharacteristically high on El Paso sounding for October which led to the threat for heavy rain and flash flooding.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.0571, -107.2781)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 662896. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.