Alamogordo NM
6-06-2023 5:03am

Microburst wrecks havoc on Alamogordo Monday June 6, 2023

Photo by Katlyln Stevens

Microburst wrecks havoc on Alamogordo Monday June 6, 2023

Several neighborhoods reported trees uprooted, roof damage to a church and other buildings, power flicked off and on around 7 pm and internet went down on several locations.

The Mountain View Dental Office took a hit T-Storm wind gusts blew the roof off of her work office. Katlyln Stevens took this photo at 7:26 PM MDT and reports “Due to the conditions resulting from this evening storm our office will be closed tomorrow June 6th until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We will keep everyone updated as we receive updates. Thank you for your patience.”

Dusty Marshal

Calvary Baptist roof took a hit. Multiple reports of block walls damaged and blown transformers around the region.

Windows bowed at the Roadrunner Emporium and several businesses on New York Avenue but not breakage or damage reported all held their own other than power flickering off and on several times.

It was reported a truck flipped near the mall and fire trucks were at the mall entrance due to other damages there but extinct has not been confirmed. 

Alamogordo on Monday experienced a series of downbursts and or microbursts according to local meteorological personnel around Holloman Air Force Base.

For Tuesday Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 3pm and 4pm. Some storms could be severe, with large hail and damaging winds. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. East southeast wind 8 to 10 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms .

Tuesday Night: Showers and storms likely, mainly before midnight. Some storms could be severe, with large hail and damaging winds. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. East wind 6 to 11 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Though less well-known than tornadoes, microbursts are much more common. According to the National Weather Service, there are approximately 10 microburst reports for every one tornado, but these numbers are just an estimate.

In meteorology, a downburst is a strong downward and outward gushing wind system that emanates from a point source above and blows radially, that is, in straight lines in all directions from the area of impact at surface level. Capable of producing damaging winds, it may sometimes be confused with a tornado, where high-velocity winds circle a central area, and air moves inward and upward. These usually last for seconds to minutes.

Downbursts are particularly strong downdrafts within thunderstorms (or deep, moist convection as sometimes downbursts emanate from cumulonimbus or even cumulus congestus clouds that are not producing lightning).

Downbursts are most often created by an area of significantly precipitation-cooled air that, after reaching the surface (subsiding), spreads out in all directions producing strong winds. Dry downbursts are associated with thunderstorms that exhibit very little rain, while wet downbursts are created by thunderstorms with significant amounts of precipitation.

Microbursts and macrobursts are downbursts at very small and larger scales, respectively. A rare variety of dry downburst, the heat burst, is created by vertical currents on the backside of old outflow boundaries and squall lines where rainfall is lacking.

Heat bursts generate significantly higher temperatures due to the lack of rain-cooled air in their formation and compressional heating during descent. Downbursts create vertical wind shear, which is dangerous to aviation, especially during landing (or takeoff). Several fatal and historic crashes in past decades are attributed to the phenomenon and flight crew training goes to great lengths on how to properly recognize and recover from a downburst/wind shear event; wind shear recovery, among other adverse weather events, are standard topics across the world in flight simulator training that flight crews receive and must successfully complete.

Detection and nowcasting technology was also implemented in much of the world and particularly around major airports, which in many cases actually have wind shear detection equipment on the field. This detection equipment helps air traffic controllers and pilots make decisions on the safety and feasibility of operating on or in the vicinity of the airport during storms thus major airports, the airbase and military are aware and prepared for these events much more so then small towns or businesses in areas such as Alamogordo.

Several locals reported high wind speeds and a potential tornado the reality is the area recorded a significant downburst and microburst lasting just a few minutes but creating havoc along the way.

Stay up to date on weather and more at https://kalhradio.org/

Streaming at

https://station.voscast.com/5b01bba90dce3

Local News, Sports, Arts, Entertainment, Community & Political Coverage at https://2ndlifemediaalamogordo.town.news/

More News from Alamogordo
I'm interested
I disagree with this
This is unverified
Spam
Offensive