Flash Flood — Rio Arriba, New Mexico

2021-07-23 · near Canjilon, Rio Arriba, New Mexico

Event narrative

A strong thunderstorm near Ghost Ranch produced several inches of water along U.S. Highway 84, and mud, rock, and debris were reported along the highway between mile marker 231 and mile marker 234. Several large boulders were also noted to have fallen from cliffsides onto the shoulder of the highway. Damages are estimated for along the highway.

Wider weather episode

A slow-moving low pressure system continued to track westward across southern New Mexico on July 23, 2021, as an area of high pressure remained centered over the Four Corners. An abundant amount of atmospheric moisture remained in place across central and western New Mexico, and with needed lift from the low pressure system, numerous thunderstorms impacted the area. Soils across western New Mexico were saturated from the previous day's convection which exacerbated flash flooding conditions as torrential rainfall fell across the area. Rainfall estimates of two to four inches prompted numerous Flash Flood Warnings across western and central New Mexico. Severe weather was also a concern with baseball size hail reported in Torrance County and a landspout tornado even reported on the westside of Albuquerque.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.3852, -106.5118)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 962638. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.