The National Weather Service in El Paso/Santa Teresa issued a flood watch October 31 for parts of southwest New Mexico, including the Gila and upper Mimbres watersheds.
The watch covers Grant County, northern Hidalgo County and western Sierra County, including Silver City, Lordsburg, Gila and surrounding communities. Its stated period runs from Sunday morning, November 1, through late Sunday night.
Forecasters expect a Pacific frontal boundary to move through New Mexico on Sunday, bringing widespread showers and thunderstorms to much of the state’s western portion.
According to the bulletin, storms could produce heavy rain and repeatedly affect the same areas. The weather service also said soils remain highly saturated after recent rainfall, allowing runoff to develop more quickly.
Possible impacts include flooding along rivers, creeks and streams, as well as other low-lying or flood-prone locations. Low-water crossings could become flooded.
The notice is a watch for possible flooding during the coming weather system. It does not confirm that all listed communities or crossings are already flooded.
The weather service advises monitoring later forecasts and remaining alert for possible flood warnings.
Sources NWS El Paso/Santa Teresa — October 31 Southwest New Mexico Flood Watch: https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn:oid:2.49.0.1.840.0.40dc1de8c87c4821a59f1f12d23f85d9b60b7f6e.001.1