Radar Estimated 14 Day Total Rainfall

National Weather Service

The September 2013 Historic Rain/Flooding Event in New

Mexico

September 9-22, 2013

National Weather Service Albuquerque, NMhttp://weather.gov/abq


Radar Estimated 14 Day Total Rainfall


Radar Estimated Percent of Normal Rainfall


Due to the large spatial extent of this event, impacts from the flooding were widespread. Transportation infrastructure was destroyed, damaged or compromised in many locations. Some of the impacts of the flooding from this prolonged heavy rain period include but are not limited to:

Catron County: A significant flood wave of nearly two stories tall (17-18 feet) occurred in Whitewater Creek, whose headwaters are in the Whitewater-Baldy burn scar, completely destroying a catwalk and severely damaging roads and structures. Dona Ana County: A large earthen dam breached above La Union, a rural community. Four families were displaced, and there was concern that a 2nd earthen dam nearby would breach as well. Water services and the sewage system were not available for La Union. Eddy County: Evacuations of several areas (including at least 60 people in Carlsbad, NM) in the county. Flash flooding closed Carlsbad Caverns National Park and visitors were required to evacuate. Significant rises (10-15 feet) to Dark Canyon and Rocky Arroyo Draws were noted. Los Alamos County: Several roads closed for several days, including NM 502, 501, and West Jemez Road, due to flash flooding/debris. San Miguel County: Flooding along the Gallinas River resulted in evacuations and more extreme damage that had not been observed for decades. Storrie Lake irrigation channel was breached. Sierra County: Bridges were washed out in 3 basins below the Silver burn scar, mostly in the Truth or Consequences area, with evacuations necessary.


COUNTY RIVER POINT RECORD

CATRON SAN FRANCISCO RIVER NEAR GLENWOOD 2ND HIGHEST CREST ON RECORD (1927)

CHAVES PECOS RIVER AT ACME 3RD HIGHEST CREST ON RECORD (1937)

EDDY PECOS RIVER NEAR ARTESIA 7TH HIGHEST CREST ON RECORD (1905)

GRANT GILA RIVER NEAR GILA 3RD HIGHEST CREST ON RECORD (1927)

GUADALUPE GALLINAS CREEK NEAR COLONIAS HIGHEST CREST ON RECORD (1937)

PECOS RIVER NEAR PUERTO DE LUNA 2ND HIGHEST CREST ON RECORD (1937)

PECOS RIVER NEAR COLONIAS HIGHEST CREST ON RECORD (1937)

RIO ARRIBA RIO CHAMA AT CHAMITA 3RD HIGHEST CREST ON RECORD (1912)

SANDOVAL RIO GRANDE AT SAN FELIPE 7TH HIGHEST CREST ON RECORD (1927)

SANTA FE GALISTEO CREEK BELOW GALISTEO DAM HIGHEST CREST ON RECORD. (1971)

SOCORRO RIO PUERCO NEAR BERNARDO 2ND HIGHEST CREST ON RECORD (1939)

RIO GRANDE AT SAN MARCIAL 7TH HIGHEST CREST ON RECORD (1949)

Flows at many river gages were observed to be at record or near record levels.


10 day satellite loop 7 day radar loop


10 day satellite loop 7 day radar loop

10 Day Satellite Loop


7 Day Albuquerque Radar Loop


Is El Nino Returning?


Forecaster/Model consensus strongly support El Nino conditions dveloping summer 2014

65% chance El Ninoconditions develop by summer; ~80% this fall

El Nino Watch!


CPC Dec 2014-Feb 2015 Precipitation Outlook


CPC Mar-May 2015 Precipitation Outlook


What Might Happen If El Nino Returns?

WinterSeason


What Might Happen If El Nino Returns?

SpringSeason


What Might Happen If a Strong El Nino Develops?

WinterSeason


What Might Happen If a Strong El Nino Develops?

SpringSeason


Chuck Jones [email protected]

weather.gov/abq

mailto:[email protected]

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Radar Estimated 14 Day Total Rainfall