Albuquerque recorded its wettest September on record in 2026, receiving 4.49 inches of precipitation during a month marked by repeated surges of tropical moisture into New Mexico, according to the National Weather Service.
This year’s total surpassed the previous September record of 3.97 inches, set in 2013. Normal September precipitation in Albuquerque is 1.15 inches, meaning the city received nearly four times its usual amount. National Weather Service climate reports list Albuquerque’s climate record period as beginning in 1891.
Brian Guyer of the National Weather Service Albuquerque office wrote to the Daily Lobo that several low-pressure systems along the West Coast repeatedly pulled moisture north into New Mexico from tropical activity in the south.
“We do not differentiate how much moisture is attributed to tropical storms versus the normal monsoon,” Guyer wrote. “It is not uncommon for tropical systems to become absorbed into the monsoon system during the month of September and even October.”
The record was not produced by only one storm. Albuquerque received 1.98 inches from Sept. 15 through 18, 1.31 inches from Sept. 22 through 24 and 1.18 inches on Sept. 28 and 29. Another hundredth of an inch fell on Sept. 1 and Sept. 8, bringing the monthly total to 4.49 inches, according to Guyer.
The late-month storm was especially notable. Guyer wrote that record-high atmospheric moisture was present across the region on Sept. 29 as remnants of Hurricane Polo moved through New Mexico. Persistent rain and embedded thunderstorms repeatedly moved north across the Albuquerque metro area.
“We recorded a value of 1.20” on September 29th and 1.12” on September 30th. The monthly record is greater than 1.40” to put these values in perspective. The daily average for the last few days in September is near 0.65”. The two daily record values were more typical of what would be observed in our area in late July or early August,” Guyer wrote.
The extreme rainfall extended across New Mexico. NOAA reported that the state received more than 5 inches of statewide-average precipitation, 303.6% of average, making September the state’s second-wettest on record and wettest since 1941.
Southern New Mexico saw serious flooding.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for the Hatch Valley on Sept. 29 after emergency managers reported retention dams near full and intense rainfall in the area. Las Cruces and surrounding communities were also under flood watches as storms brought heavy rain to Doña Ana County.
The National Weather Service reported life-threatening flash flooding in the Ruidoso area and downstream of the Salt burn scar during a mid-September storm.
For Albuquerque, the month entered the record books.
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“The 4.49” is now the wettest September on record for Albuquerque and the second wettest month ever recorded. The all-time record wettest month is 4.70” from November 1905. That means only one month in the entire period of record dating back to 1891 had wetter conditions,” Guyer wrote.
George Slad is a freelance photographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at photo@dailylobo.com or on X @SladGeorge
