New Mexico is affected by the North American Monsoon every
summer, and the “Monsoon Season” is designated
as the period lasting from June 15th through September 30th. With
the onset of the Monsoon, New Mexico is typically impacted a variety
of weather hazards that can often put the population at risk for serious
injury or death. Thunderstorm frequency increases during this period,
while exceptionally hot days are common as well.
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has prepared a series of
pages (links below) to promote awareness of
the life-threatening
weather
hazards
that
affect New Mexico
during
the Summer Monsoon.
Despite the desert environment
of the Land of Enchantment, statistics indicate that significant
weather events associated with the Monsoon are responsible
for property damage,
injuries and fatalities
across the state every single year. In 2008, flash floods alone in
New Mexico were responsible for five fatalities.
As a result, we urge all residents and
visitors
to become familiar
with the hazards associated with the Summer Monsoon. Please
take the time to
review safety rules that could save your life or help prevent
serious injury. Community governments and businesses should review their
emergency action preparedness plans and are urged to conduct drills
to train
staff
and employees in flash flood procedures.
Detailed information on the following
threats associated with the Monsoon Season is available:
The best way to avoid lightning, flash
floods, and other dangerous weather events during the monsoon season
is by staying alert of the weather conditions and avoiding the threat
before it occurs. Many opportunities are available
to gain weather
information
including:
Watching current weather forecasts on TV or the internet.
Listening to weather reports on the radio or a NOAA weather radio.
Subscribing to lightning and severe weather notification services.
Scanning the skies 360 degrees around and overhead
before leaving a safe location.
Understanding Watches, Warnings,
and Advisories:
Watches (Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood, Tornado for example)
mean that widespread severe weather or flash flooding is possible.
A watch
means that
severe weather or flash flooding has not occurred
yet,
but weather
conditions
are becoming highly volatile. Pay close attention to the weather,
and tune into TV, radio, or NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts regularly.
Warnings (Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood, Tornado, Dust Storm,
Excessive Heat) mean that life-threatening
weather
is about
to occur,
or has been reported. Take action immediately.
Areal Flood Advisories mean heavy rains will cause minor flooding
of washes, streams, and typical flood-prone areas. Flooding in this
situation
is usually not serious. If the flooding does become life threatening,
then the flood advisory is upgraded to a Flood Warning.
Warnings are not issued for lightning, mainly because thunderstorms,
no matter how weak, can produce deadly cloud-to-ground lightning.
Any time thunderstorms are in the area, lightning is a serious threat.
This is supported by the fact lightning is the number one killer
in New Mexico, with 84 deaths since 1959.
News media and New Mexico emergency
managers or anyone needing information on Monsoon Season
significant weather, or any other preparedness and
planning, are invited
to contact one
of
the following
offices for details:
Northern and Central New
Mexico (NWS Albuquerque NM)
Jesus Haro - Warning Coordination Meteorologist
(505) 244-9150 Ext. 223
Southwest and South Central
New Mexico (NWS El Paso TX)
John Fausett - Warning Coordination Meteorologist
(575) 589-4088 Ext. 223
Southeastern New Mexico (NWS
Midland TX)
Pat Vesper - Warning Coordination Meteorologist
(432) 563-5901 Ext. 223
Most of the statistics depicted on the Monsoon Awareness
Week web pages were obtained using the publication Storm
Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena, which contains
chronological listings, by state, of hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms,
hail, floods,
drought conditions, lightning, high winds, snow, temperature extremes
and other weather phenomena. The reports are provided by the National
Weather Service and contain statistics on personal injuries and damage
estimates. Storm Data is a publication of the National Climatic Data
Center.
National Weather Service
Albuquerque Weather Forecast Office
2341 Clark Carr LP SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
Ph: 505.243.0702
Web Master's Email: ABQ Webmaster
Page Author: WFO Albuquerque, NM
Date modified:
www.srh.weather.gov 
National
Weather Service Weather Forecast Office
