Ruidoso braces for heavy rainfall; the village anticipates receiving up to 2 inches per hour on Tuesday
In Ruidoso, New Mexico, a series of monsoonal thunderstorms have led to severe flash flood warnings. The National Weather Service office in Albuquerque has issued a "considerable" flash flood warning for the area, with swift water rescues ongoing and overtopping of the Rio Ruidoso reported at various locations, such as the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Hollywood. The town has already experienced multiple days of flooding this month, including on July 8, which tragically resulted in the death of a man and two children [1][2][3].
Residents are advised to be aware of their surroundings and to get to higher ground. Village spokesperson Kerry Gladden has confirmed that swift water and street crews will be ready to respond in Ruidoso. The National Weather Service of Albuquerque predicts Ruidoso could receive up to 2 inches of rain in an hour on Tuesday afternoon, potentially exacerbating the flood situation [4].
Meanwhile, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the National Weather Service office is actively monitoring the situation, suggesting vigilance for possible widespread impacts from monsoonal moisture. The city could experience scattered thunderstorms with potential localized heavy rainfall, but no explicit current flood warnings for Albuquerque were mentioned in these results. As of Thursday, Bernalillo County, including Albuquerque, was in severe and extreme drought. Notably, much of the Rio Grande in Albuquerque has run dry due to the current drought conditions [5].
The U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that most places in the southwest of New Mexico are in an exceptional drought, making the state one of the driest in the country. Despite the rain predicted for Ruidoso and Albuquerque, most of the state is currently in a drought. Metereologist Greulich emphasizes that significant and consistent rain is necessary to make a difference in the current drought conditions. He states that these areas will need to see more significant, consistent rain to put a dent in the drought [6].
| Location | Flood Warning Status | Recent Precipitation | Forecast & Concerns | |-----------|-------------------------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------------------| | Ruidoso | Flash Flood Warnings (life-threatening) | ~1 to 1.5+ inches rain; more expected | Continued heavy rain, severe flash flooding, debris flows, road washouts | | Albuquerque | No specific recent warnings stated | Monsoon moisture active regionally | Possible scattered thunderstorms and watchfulness due to ongoing monsoon season |
For precise, up-to-the-minute forecasts and warnings in Albuquerque, consulting the National Weather Service Albuquerque office or local emergency alert systems is recommended due to rapidly changing conditions [1][2][3].
References: [1] National Weather Service Albuquerque (2025). Flash Flood Warning for Lincoln County [2] Associated Press (2025). New Mexico town of Ruidoso hit by flash flood, 3 dead [3] National Weather Service Albuquerque (2025). Considerable Risk of Flash Flooding in Ruidoso [4] National Weather Service Albuquerque (2025). Heavy Rain Expected in Ruidoso [5] Associated Press (2025). Rio Grande in Albuquerque runs dry due to drought [6] National Weather Service Albuquerque (2025). Monsoon Season Active in New Mexico
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, although there are no current flood warnings, the National Weather Service advises vigilance due to the ongoing monsoon season and potential for scattered thunderstorms with localized heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, meteorologist Greulich stresses that significant and consistent rain is crucial to alleviate the current drought conditions affecting most of the state, including Albuquerque. In contrast, Ruidoso, New Mexico, continues to face life-threatening flash flood warnings, with the National Weather Service predicting up to 2 inches of rain in an hour on Tuesday afternoon, potentially worsening the flood situation.
