BlockBefore

Jal, New Mexico

6 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1954 and the latest in 1978. It stands in the Jal census division. It lies in ZIP code area 88252. The Survey maps it on the Jal quadrangle. 2,202 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 3,071 feet above sea level.

Jal within Lea County

Population over time

2 figures

Jal grew from 2,047 to 2,202 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
20102,047
20202,202+155 (+8%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

4 surveys from 6 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Fires near this place

38 since 1994

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 38 fires within 5 miles of Jal between 1994 and 2013, burning about 3,572 acres in total. 1 started naturally. 1 was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined13
Railroad operations and maintenance9
Power generation/transmission/distribution7
Equipment and vehicle use3
Debris and open burning2
Smoking1
Misuse of fire by a minor1
Natural1
Arson/incendiarism1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
25 September 2000Railroad operations and maintenance40 acresNew Mexico State Forestry DivisionRAIL II
22 September 2000Railroad operations and maintenance10 acresNew Mexico State Forestry DivisionRAIL
13 September 1997Missing data/not specified/undetermined3.0 acresNew Mexico State Forestry DivisionBIG MESQUITE
7 August 2005Missing data/not specified/undetermined15 acresNew Mexico State Forestry DivisionWILLIS #1
20 August 2009Power generation/transmission/distribution1.5 acresNew Mexico State Forestry DivisionMC BUFFINGTON1
14 August 1998Missing data/not specified/undetermined6.0 acresNew Mexico State Forestry DivisionRAILROAD #1
28 June 1994Natural10 acresRoswell Field OfficePETERSON
16 June 2009Power generation/transmission/distribution5.0 acresNew Mexico State Forestry DivisionWELL 162

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Lea County

Mines and quarries near this place

10 of 27 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 27 workings within 5 miles of Jal: 26 unknowns, 1 producer. 1 still produces. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Lea Co. Road Dept. Pit JalSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
State Hwy Pit No. 56-101-SSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
State Hwy Pit No. 57-15-SSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
State Hwy Pit No. 57-9-SSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
Un. Grav PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
Un. Grav. PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
Un. Grav. PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
Un. Grav. PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
Un. Grav. PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
Un. Grav. PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown

Every working recorded in Lea County

Storms near this place

60 of 82 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Jal in 82 storm reports between 1993 and 2025: 53 hail, 15 thunderstorm wind, 13 flash flood, 1 tornado. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
September 2016HailJal$3,500,000A thunderstorm moved across Lea County and produced tennis ball sized hail in Jal. The hail caused widespread damage to homes and vehicles. The cost of damage is a rough estimate.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindJal$800,000The most extensive damage during this event was confined to the eastern portions Jal, NM with the most notable damage along State Highway 128 in the vicinity of the Lea County/Jal Airport. At this location, a small single engine plane was flipped over. Also, numerous aircraft hanger doors were blown in due to the high winds which resulted in extensive damage to several aircraft storage buildings. Along State Highway 128, 28 power poles stretched along the southern edge of the highway were blown over into the eastbound lane of traffic. Overall, a total of 60 power poles were damaged. Closer to the city, numerous residential structures received significant roof damage, mainly in the form of lost roof shingles. Several trees were also downed near the Jal Lake Recreational Area.
June 2009HailJal$225,000Several homes and vehicles received significant damage due to the large hail.
July 2014Thunderstorm WindJal$200,000A thunderstorm moved across Lea County and produced wind damage near Jal. A downburst from the thunderstorm caused hangers at the Jal airport to be destroyed. The cost of damage is a rough estimate.
July 2004Thunderstorm WindJal$50,000Severe thunderstorm winds blew down at least two utility poles in southwestern Lea County. One pole landed on the roof of a rural residence causing extensive damage to the home. Large tree limbs also were broken from the winds.
August 1993Thunderstorm WindJal$50,000The Jal Police Department reported wind damage to two churches and tree limbs blown onto streets from a strong thunderstorm. Several power lines and fences were also knocked down. Three airplane hangers were crushed and moved 200 yards from their original positions.
August 2005Flash FloodJal$20,000The public reported that high water threatened homes in rural Lea county.
May 1995HailJal$10,000As the Eddy County storm entered southwestern Lea County it became an HP Supercell. As it entered the county it was moving to the east, but soon continued turning right and headed to the southeast into Texas. Strong winds struck a ranch three miles north of the Texas border that destroyed a shed and carried a trampoline one-quarter mile. Golf ball- to tennis ball-size hail was reported farther north along State Highway 128 by a trucking company that suspended transportation along the highway until the storm turned south.
May 1995HailJal$10,000A severe thunderstorm moved east out of Eddy County crossing southwestern Lea County and then moving southeast into Texas. Strong winds struck a ranch three miles north of the Texas border that destroyed a shed and carried a trampoline one-quarter mile. Golf ball- to tennis ball-size hail was reported farther north along State Highway 128 by a trucking company that suspended transportation along the highway until the storm turned south. High winds ripped a carport from a home in Lovington.
April 2002HailJal$10,000no account filed
May 2017Thunderstorm WindJal$6,000A thunderstorm moved across Lea County and produced a 77 mph wind gust 22 miles west northwest of Jal. This wind gust snapped two power poles. The cost of damage is a very rough estimate.
July 1997Thunderstorm WindJal$5,000Downbursting winds from a thunderstorm knocked down 2 utility poles just south of the Jal city limit.
April 2002HailJal$5,000no account filed
September 2016HailJal$4,000A thunderstorm moved across Lea County and produced golf ball sized hail in Jal. The hail broke windows in buildings in Jal. The cost of damage is a very rough estimate.
June 1997Thunderstorm WindJal$3,000A carport was picked up and thrown by downbursting winds from an HP Supercell RFD. Also a large, but dead, elm tree was uprooted.
April 2002HailJal$3,000no account filed
October 1998Thunderstorm WindJal$2,000Power lines knocked down.
August 2016Flash FloodJal$1,000Heavy rain fell across Lea County and produced flash flooding in Jal. The intersection of Montana and Third Street in Jal had been closed due to high water. The cost of damage is a very rough estimate.
October 2015Flash FloodJal$1,000Heavy rain fell across Lea County and produced flash flooding in Jal. The Jal Police Department reported that three roads were blocked off due to two to three feet of water over them. The cost of damage is a very rough estimate.
May 2025HailJal-A storm chaser reported dime to quarter-size hail.
May 2025HailJal-A report of quarter-size hail received from mPING. Time is estimated by radar.
May 2025HailJal-A report of penny-sized hail was received from mPING. The location is approximate, based on radar data.
April 2025HailJal-A trained weather spotter reported quarter sized hail near Jal. Time is estimated from radar.
April 2025HailJal-A storm chaser reported golf ball size hail north of Jal. Time is estimated from radar.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindJal-A thunderstorm moved across Lea County and produced a 60 mph wind gust 21 miles west northwest of Jal.
June 2013HailJal-A thunderstorm moved over Lea County and produced quarter sized hail 22 miles west of Jal along State Highway 128.
July 2009Flash FloodJal-One intersection in Jal, NM had 2 to 3 feet of flowing water over the roadway.
August 2007Flash FloodJal-Law enforcement barricaded roads throughout the city of Jal due to high water.
May 2006HailJal-Pea to penny size hail fell along New Mexico Highway 18 near Jal.
May 2005HailJal-Motorists traveling on County Road 1 reported large hail in far southwestern Lea County.
June 2005Thunderstorm WindJal-The automated fire weather observing station at Paduca (located on the Eddy and Lea County line) recorded 65 MPH wind gusts as a complex of thunderstorms propagated over the southeastern New Mexico plains.
June 2005HailJal-Storm spotters reported nickel size hail along New Mexico Highway 128 west of Jal. This hail was produced by a long-lived left-moving supercell storm that produced large hail and damaging winds earlier in the afternoon in Loving County, Texas.
June 2004Flash FloodJal-Very heavy rainfall affected parts of southern Lea County during the pre-dawn hours of the 29th. Radar estimates indicated between four and six inches of rain fell in the area along and just north of State Road 128 in rural areas west of Jal. An additional complex of storms and heavy rainfall tracked across the southern parts of Lea County during the late afternoon. Radar estimated two to three inches of additional rainfall over the same areas soaked by the morning rains. This additional heavy rainfall fell within a one hour period, and flash flooding resulted. A rancher reported that Ochoa Ranch Road was washed out by the flowing flood waters.
July 2004Flash FloodJal-Thunderstorms produced very heavy rainfall as a cold front swept south across the plains of southeastern New Mexico during the afternoon of Saturday the 24th. Flash flooding affected parts of southern Lea County where over a foot of flowing water filled the streets of Jal. The flash flooding conditions experienced in Jal marked the onset of a prolonged heavy rain event over southeastern New Mexico and west Texas. The front swept southwest across the area during the overnight hours, and widespread heavy rainfall erupted over the region during the early morning of Sunday, July 25th.
September 2004Flash FloodJal-Another round of showers and thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall over southern Lea County on the morning of Monday the 27th. Flash flooding along State Highway 128 was reported by the Jal Police Department. High water flowed over the highway twelve miles west of Jal.
October 2004Flash FloodJal-Local officials reported flash flooding in Jal. High water was reported flowing through several city streets. The worst flooding was reported in the southern portions of the city.
August 2004Flash FloodJal-Strong thunderstorms resulted in very heavy rainfall over rural areas west of Jal. Doppler radar estimates indicated nearly four inches of rainfall fell over State Highway 128. The Jal Police Department reported high water flowing over the highway at several locations between eight and ten miles west of Jal.
August 2004Thunderstorm WindJal-A severe wind gust was measured on the Eddy/Lea County line at the Paduca RAWS site.
June 2002Thunderstorm WindJal-A resident of this area of Lea County reported what he described as the "weirdest weather he has seen in the last 40 years." During the course of a one hour period, ten separate events of wind...each reaching as high as 60 mph occurred. Each of these events seemed to originate near a location called Antelope Ridge.
October 2002HailJal-The public reported small hail with a few stones to the size of quarters.
June 1999HailJal-The left-split cell of a storm that formed over Loving County, TX, moved to the northeast into southern Lea County, NM. The this single cell storm dropped its hail on State Highway 128. The storm continued to the northeast, just missing Eunice, then dropped more hail in the northwest corner of Andrews County, TX.
May 1999Flash FloodJal-Flash flooding was reported across State Highway 128. This storm developed ahead of a line of storms and moved slowly eastward until it was hit by a westward moving outflow boundary. Thereafter, it moved little until it was swept up by the line of storms.
July 1997Flash FloodJal-Slow moving storms near Jal produced heavy rains and caused flooding on State Highway 128 east of Jal. The Highway Dept. posted "High Water" signs, but did not close the highway.
May 1997HailJal-The southern end of the large complex headed toward the southeast toward Jal. The cell that passed over Jal weakened as it came into town.
May 1995HailJal-Reported by the Jal Police Department.
May 1995HailJal-Reported by the Jal Police Department.
June 1995HailJal-First hail report from a ranch north of State Highway 128. SKYWARN Spotter report from center of Hobbs.
June 1995HailJal-Reported by Jal Police Department.
October 1995HailJal-The Jal Police Department reported dime-size hail in a storm characterized by very heavy rains and small hail.
April 1994HailJal-An observer reported dime-size hail lasting less than five minutes.
May 1994HailJal-The Jal Police Department reported hail up to golf ball-size.
May 1994HailJal-Golf ball-size hail was reported by the Jal Police Department, and dime-size hail was reported in Jal by SKYWARN Spotter.
May 1994HailJal-Golf ball-size hail was reported by the Jal Police Department, and dime-size hail was reported in Jal by SKYWARN Spotter.
September 1994Tornado (F0)Jal-The public reported a small tornado that lasted less than 5 minutes.
May 2023Thunderstorm WindJal-no account filed
April 2019HailJal-no account filed
April 2019HailJal-no account filed
April 2019HailJal-no account filed
May 2019HailJal-no account filed
May 2019HailJal-no account filed

Every storm recorded in Lea County

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Bennett3.3 miles6
Ochoa14.2 miles5
Maypens17.2 miles6
Eunice22.4 miles6
Jones City24.9 miles6
Oil Center26.9 miles7
Lea33.5 miles6
Warren34.3 miles5

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on JalAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q2293645The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 899684. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.