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.
Population over time
2 figuresJal 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.
| Year | People | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2,047 | |
| 2020 | 2,202 | +155 (+8%) |
Topographic sheets covering this place
4 surveys from 6 printed sheetsMatched 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.
- 1954 USGS Hobbs quadrangle1:250000, 2 printings
- 1958 USGS Hobbs quadrangle1:250000
- 1969 USGS Jal quadrangle1:24000, 2 printings
- 1978 USGS Jal quadrangle1:100000
Fires near this place
38 since 1994Regional 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/undetermined | 13 |
| Railroad operations and maintenance | 9 |
| Power generation/transmission/distribution | 7 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 3 |
| Debris and open burning | 2 |
| Smoking | 1 |
| Misuse of fire by a minor | 1 |
| Natural | 1 |
| Arson/incendiarism | 1 |
The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 September 2000 | Railroad operations and maintenance | 40 acres | New Mexico State Forestry Division | RAIL II |
| 22 September 2000 | Railroad operations and maintenance | 10 acres | New Mexico State Forestry Division | RAIL |
| 13 September 1997 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 3.0 acres | New Mexico State Forestry Division | BIG MESQUITE |
| 7 August 2005 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 15 acres | New Mexico State Forestry Division | WILLIS #1 |
| 20 August 2009 | Power generation/transmission/distribution | 1.5 acres | New Mexico State Forestry Division | MC BUFFINGTON1 |
| 14 August 1998 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 6.0 acres | New Mexico State Forestry Division | RAILROAD #1 |
| 28 June 1994 | Natural | 10 acres | Roswell Field Office | PETERSON |
| 16 June 2009 | Power generation/transmission/distribution | 5.0 acres | New Mexico State Forestry Division | WELL 162 |
Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:
Mines and quarries near this place
10 of 27 shownRegional 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 | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lea Co. Road Dept. Pit Jal | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Unknown | ||
| State Hwy Pit No. 56-101-S | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Unknown | ||
| State Hwy Pit No. 57-15-S | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Unknown | ||
| State Hwy Pit No. 57-9-S | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Unknown | ||
| Un. Grav Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Unknown | ||
| Un. Grav. Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Unknown | ||
| Un. Grav. Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Unknown | ||
| Un. Grav. Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Unknown | ||
| Un. Grav. Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Unknown | ||
| Un. Grav. Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Unknown |
Storms near this place
60 of 82 shownRegional 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.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2016 | Hail | Jal | $3,500,000 | A 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 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Jal | $800,000 | The 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 2009 | Hail | Jal | $225,000 | Several homes and vehicles received significant damage due to the large hail. |
| July 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Jal | $200,000 | A 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 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Jal | $50,000 | Severe 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 1993 | Thunderstorm Wind | Jal | $50,000 | The 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 2005 | Flash Flood | Jal | $20,000 | The public reported that high water threatened homes in rural Lea county. |
| May 1995 | Hail | Jal | $10,000 | As 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 1995 | Hail | Jal | $10,000 | A 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 2002 | Hail | Jal | $10,000 | no account filed |
| May 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | Jal | $6,000 | A 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 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Jal | $5,000 | Downbursting winds from a thunderstorm knocked down 2 utility poles just south of the Jal city limit. |
| April 2002 | Hail | Jal | $5,000 | no account filed |
| September 2016 | Hail | Jal | $4,000 | A 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 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Jal | $3,000 | A carport was picked up and thrown by downbursting winds from an HP Supercell RFD. Also a large, but dead, elm tree was uprooted. |
| April 2002 | Hail | Jal | $3,000 | no account filed |
| October 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Jal | $2,000 | Power lines knocked down. |
| August 2016 | Flash Flood | Jal | $1,000 | Heavy 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 2015 | Flash Flood | Jal | $1,000 | Heavy 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 2025 | Hail | Jal | - | A storm chaser reported dime to quarter-size hail. |
| May 2025 | Hail | Jal | - | A report of quarter-size hail received from mPING. Time is estimated by radar. |
| May 2025 | Hail | Jal | - | A report of penny-sized hail was received from mPING. The location is approximate, based on radar data. |
| April 2025 | Hail | Jal | - | A trained weather spotter reported quarter sized hail near Jal. Time is estimated from radar. |
| April 2025 | Hail | Jal | - | A storm chaser reported golf ball size hail north of Jal. Time is estimated from radar. |
| June 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Jal | - | A thunderstorm moved across Lea County and produced a 60 mph wind gust 21 miles west northwest of Jal. |
| June 2013 | Hail | Jal | - | A thunderstorm moved over Lea County and produced quarter sized hail 22 miles west of Jal along State Highway 128. |
| July 2009 | Flash Flood | Jal | - | One intersection in Jal, NM had 2 to 3 feet of flowing water over the roadway. |
| August 2007 | Flash Flood | Jal | - | Law enforcement barricaded roads throughout the city of Jal due to high water. |
| May 2006 | Hail | Jal | - | Pea to penny size hail fell along New Mexico Highway 18 near Jal. |
| May 2005 | Hail | Jal | - | Motorists traveling on County Road 1 reported large hail in far southwestern Lea County. |
| June 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Jal | - | 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 2005 | Hail | Jal | - | 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 2004 | Flash Flood | Jal | - | 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 2004 | Flash Flood | Jal | - | 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 2004 | Flash Flood | Jal | - | 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 2004 | Flash Flood | Jal | - | 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 2004 | Flash Flood | Jal | - | 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 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Jal | - | A severe wind gust was measured on the Eddy/Lea County line at the Paduca RAWS site. |
| June 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Jal | - | 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 2002 | Hail | Jal | - | The public reported small hail with a few stones to the size of quarters. |
| June 1999 | Hail | Jal | - | 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 1999 | Flash Flood | Jal | - | 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 1997 | Flash Flood | Jal | - | 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 1997 | Hail | Jal | - | 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 1995 | Hail | Jal | - | Reported by the Jal Police Department. |
| May 1995 | Hail | Jal | - | Reported by the Jal Police Department. |
| June 1995 | Hail | Jal | - | First hail report from a ranch north of State Highway 128. SKYWARN Spotter report from center of Hobbs. |
| June 1995 | Hail | Jal | - | Reported by Jal Police Department. |
| October 1995 | Hail | Jal | - | The Jal Police Department reported dime-size hail in a storm characterized by very heavy rains and small hail. |
| April 1994 | Hail | Jal | - | An observer reported dime-size hail lasting less than five minutes. |
| May 1994 | Hail | Jal | - | The Jal Police Department reported hail up to golf ball-size. |
| May 1994 | Hail | Jal | - | Golf ball-size hail was reported by the Jal Police Department, and dime-size hail was reported in Jal by SKYWARN Spotter. |
| May 1994 | Hail | Jal | - | Golf ball-size hail was reported by the Jal Police Department, and dime-size hail was reported in Jal by SKYWARN Spotter. |
| September 1994 | Tornado (F0) | Jal | - | The public reported a small tornado that lasted less than 5 minutes. |
| May 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Jal | - | no account filed |
| April 2019 | Hail | Jal | - | no account filed |
| April 2019 | Hail | Jal | - | no account filed |
| April 2019 | Hail | Jal | - | no account filed |
| May 2019 | Hail | Jal | - | no account filed |
| May 2019 | Hail | Jal | - | no account filed |
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 | Place | Distance | Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bennett | 3.3 miles | 6 | |
| Ochoa | 14.2 miles | 5 | |
| Maypens | 17.2 miles | 6 | |
| Eunice | 22.4 miles | 6 | |
| Jones City | 24.9 miles | 6 | |
| Oil Center | 26.9 miles | 7 | |
| Lea | 33.5 miles | 6 | |
| Warren | 34.3 miles | 5 |
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 Jal | An encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied. |
| Wikidata item Q2293645 | The 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.



