A potent upper level low pressure system moving slowly east across the desert southwest for several days combined with abundant moisture and instability on the 9th to generate a widespread, significant severe weather outbreak over central and eastern New Mexico. Isolated thunderstorms developed shortly after midnight in the area from Santa Fe to Farmington and produced quarter size hail with…
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Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS ABQ wrote it up.
A potent upper level low pressure system moving slowly east across the desert southwest for several days combined with abundant moisture and instability on the 9th to generate a widespread, significant severe weather outbreak over central and eastern New Mexico. Isolated thunderstorms developed shortly after midnight in the area from Santa Fe to Farmington and produced quarter size hail with heavy rain and and strong winds. A large area of showers and thunderstorms developed shortly after sunrise over central New Mexico and moved north across the Albuquerque and Santa Fe metro areas through the early afternoon. Several funnel clouds and large hail were reported around the Estancia Valley. A brief tornado develop near the Santa Fe airport shortly after noon with minor damage reported. A major hailstorm struck the Interstate 25 corridor near Kewa Pueblo, resulting in damage to homes and vehicles. The next wave of storms that developed over central New Mexico produced tornadoes near Carrizozo, Clines Corners, and Wagon Mound. Large hail up to the size of golf balls was also reported with these storms. More storms firing up around the Albuquerque metro area produced nickel to quarter size hail from Rio Rancho north into the Jemez Mountains. Severe thunderstorms continued to pound eastern New Mexico well into the evening hours with golf ball to hen egg size hail producing damage in areas around Roswell and Tucumcari.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Albuquerque, NM wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 8, 10:57 PM MST, 1 hour 33 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 1157 PM MDT Mon May 8 2017 .AVIATION... 06Z TAF CYCLE Thunderstorms will continue northward across the NC Mtns and the NE Plains into CO before activity tapers off before sunrise. Gusty east winds have already begun at KABQ from dissipating convective storms in the east. Stronger east canyon winds will develop after 06Z, although timing of peak gusts is a challenge. Look for gap winds around 35-40kts. MVFR/IFR cigs have already begun developing across the EC and SE Plains and will continue overnight as MVFR/IFR cigs shift northward. Another round of strong to severe storms will develop across the eastern plains again this aftn with MVFR cigs near storm activity. 32 && .PREV DISCUSSION...305 PM MDT Mon May 8 2017... .SYNOPSIS... A vigorous upper level low currently found over the northern Baja region will slowly track over the Southwest area including northern and central New Mexico through most of this week. Precipitation in the form of higher elevation snow, severe weather and heavier rain will occur during this event although favor northern and eastern areas the most. High temperatures will also be below normal through Thursday. A warming trend will start up on Friday and last through Monday next week due to ridging. && .DISCUSSION... SPC expanded the severe weather threat this morning and this jives with the significant moisture advection originating from the high plains and Gulf region. With the upper low currently over the northern Baja...a severe weather outbreak signature is very possible late this afternoon into the overnight hours. Lots of significant wind shear combined with heavy juice and upper level diffluence usually spells unusual activity. A watch issuance is likely. Made some tweaks to the modeled PoP and temp fields but didn't make may big changes. Models are pretty similar and the continuity has been there as well. Adjusted high temps lower than model guidance across some northern areas Tue/Wed due to heavy cloud cover and the upper low position. Raised overnight lows slightly due to cloud cover and higher dewpoints. Did reduced QPF numbers along the east slopes of the Sangres but that is the bulls eye area and expect amounts up to 1.5 inches and perhaps even higher. Snow is relegated to the higher peaks so impact will be much less but looking at some heftier amounts around Santa Fe Baldy. Perhaps over 1 foot. Folks recreating in the back country will need to take note of the expected changing weather conditions there. Model timing with the departing low still looks to be intact and for Thur. Models continue to show transitory ridging Friday through Monday. Temperatures will warm accordingly and went a little above model guidance for highs during this period due to deeper southerly flow and height rises. Cant rule out some drier storms favoring the northern mtns. The next low is progged for the latter half of next week. Suspect the dryline would become active across the east during that period and some wind issues elsewhere. Perhaps some northern mtn precipitation as well. 50 && .FIRE WEATHER... A Pacific low off the northern Baja Coast will bring in breezy and gusty south winds across NM today. Winds will reach 15-25 mph across the area, with occasional gusts 35-45 mph possible. Divergence aloft will destabilize the atmosphere to allow for afternoon thunderstorm activity, initially firing up over the northern mtns. Storm activity will expand later this afternoon, with the potential for isolated severe storms over the eastern plains. Erratic gusty winds with frequent cloud to ground lightning can be expected with thunderstorms today. The strongest storms will be capable of 60 mph wind gusts and hail size of one inch or greater. Thunderstorms that develop in the west will be mostly dry. Storm motion will be from the S to N at 15-25 mph. Breezy conditions and RH below 15 percent across much of the west will allow for a couple hours of critical fire conditions over the SE portion of NM Fire Zone 101 from Mt. Taylor north to Hwy 550. Overnight, Gulf moisture will continue to push west, thanks to the strong upper low to our southwest. This will set up strong gap winds through the central mtns into the Rio Grande Valley, including the ABQ metro area. Tuesday will see another round of afternoon thunderstorm activity, shifted a bit further north and east. Mixing hgts and vent rates drop considerable Tuesday across the northern and central mtn chain. The center of the low moves over NM slowly Wednesday into Thursday, keeping mixing hgts poor to fair across NM. Much cooler temperatures filter into NM Wednesday helping to keep RH above critical for the remainder of the week. Colder temperatures and wrap around moisture should allow for the possibility of high elevation snow atop the northern mtn peaks Wednesday night into Thursday morning. As the low pushes off into the U.S. central plains Friday, a high amplitude ridge begins to build in for the weekend. A drying and warming trend will take place for the weekend, with minimum RH expected to also drop below 15 percent. This could allow for critical fire conditions to develop over western NM for the weekend, although winds look to be the limiting factor at this time. && .ABQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 1049 AM MDT Mon May 8 2017 NMZ501>540-091100- Northwest Plateau-Chuska Mountains-Far Northwest Highlands- Northwest Highlands-West Central Plateau-West Central Mountains- West Central Highlands-Southwest Mountains- San Francisco River Valley-San Juan Mountains-Jemez Mountains- West Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains- Northern Sangre de Cristos above 9500 feet/Red River- Southern Sangre de Cristos above 9500 feet- East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains-Upper Rio Grande Valley- Lower Chama River Valley-Santa Fe Metro Area- Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area- Lower Rio Grande Valley-Sandia/Manzano Mountains-Estancia Valley- Central Highlands-South Central Highlands-Upper Tularosa Valley- South Central Mountains-Raton Ridge/Johnson Mesa- Far Northeast Highlands-Northeast Highlands-Union County- Harding County-Eastern San Miguel County-Guadalupe County- Quay County-Curry County-Roosevelt County-De Baca County- Chaves County Plains-Eastern Lincoln County-Southwest Chaves County- 1049 AM MDT Mon May 8 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central New Mexico. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms between 3pm and 11pm MDT across the eastern third of New Mexico. This includes the I-25 corridor from just east of Las Vegas to Raton Pass as well as the I40 corridor from Clines to the Texas state line. The main threats will be large and very large hail up to 2.00 inches in diameter and wind gusts of 60 mph or higher. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out across the east central and southeast plains. In western New Mexico, a couple of hours of localized critical fire weather conditions will be possible, mainly around the continental divide this afternoon as winds strengthen with low humidity. In addition, a few stray showers and dry thunderstorms producing very little rainfall, but strong wind gusts to 50 mph will be possible in western New Mexico today. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected again across eastern New Mexico Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon's and evening's with large hail and damaging winds possible. The highest risk will be in Curry and Roosevelt Counties on Tuesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report severe weather through the National Weather Service Albuquerque web site at weather.gov/abq or by calling 1.888.386.7637. You can also submit storm reports and photos on our Facebook page or via Twitter using the hashtag nmwx. 50
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM
923 PM MDT MON MAY 08 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0812 PM HAIL 4 W ROSWELL 33.37N 104.60W
05/08/2017 M1.00 INCH CHAVES NM TRAINED SPOTTER
EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTED NICKEL TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL
&&
EVENT NUMBER ABQ1701890
CASpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
956 PM MDT MON MAY 8 2017
NMZ529-532>534-090500-
Eastern San Miguel County-Guadalupe County-Northeast Highlands-Quay
County-
956 PM MDT MON MAY 8 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL SAN MIGUEL...WESTERN QUAY
AND NORTHEASTERN GUADALUPE COUNTIES UNTIL 1100 PM MDT...
At 955 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms near
Newkirk, Santa Rosa, Anton Chico and Trujillo, moving north at 20
mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Heavy rain and frequent and dangerous cloud to ground lightning will
also be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Santa Rosa, Mosquero, Colonias, Maes, Conchas Lake State Park,
Conchas Dam, Newkirk, Santa Rosa Lake State Park, Cuervo and
Trujillo.
This includes Interstate 40 between Mile Markers 263 and 311.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Accumulations of small hail on roads can create very slick and
hazardous driving conditions.
&&
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 1100 PM MDT for
northeastern and east central New Mexico.
LAT...LON 3496 10410 3493 10488 3571 10506 3578 10396
3571 10392
TIME...MOT...LOC 0355Z 168DEG 19KT 3502 10446
CAPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM
1010 PM MDT MON MAY 08 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1009 PM HAIL 7 N NEWKIRK 35.17N 104.26W
05/08/2017 M0.75 INCH GUADALUPE NM TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
EVENT NUMBER ABQ1701891
CAPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM
1013 PM MDT MON MAY 08 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1012 PM HAIL 7 N NEWKIRK 35.17N 104.26W
05/08/2017 M1.00 INCH GUADALUPE NM TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
EVENT NUMBER ABQ1701892
CASpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 1049 PM MDT MON MAY 8 2017 NMZ515-528-529-090515- Far Northeast Highlands-Northeast Highlands-East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains- 1049 PM MDT MON MAY 8 2017 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN SAN MIGUEL AND CENTRAL MORA COUNTIES UNTIL 1115 PM MDT... At 1049 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms over Sapello, or 12 miles north of Las Vegas, moving north at 20 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Mora, La Cueva, Tierra Monte, Ledoux, Sapello, Ojo Feliz, South Carmen, Manuelitas, El Turquillo and Golondrinas. This includes Interstate 25 between Mile Markers 352 and 354. Accumulations of small hail on roads can create very slick and hazardous driving conditions. && A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 1100 PM MDT for northeastern New Mexico. LAT...LON 3566 10516 3572 10539 3611 10535 3605 10487 TIME...MOT...LOC 0449Z 198DEG 17KT 3578 10524 Shoemake
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 1258 AM MDT TUE MAY 9 2017 NMZ512-517-518-090730- Lower Chama River Valley-West Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains-Santa Fe Metro Area- 1258 AM MDT TUE MAY 9 2017 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTH CENTRAL SANTA FE COUNTY UNTIL 130 AM MDT... At 1258 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Tesuque, or near Santa Fe, moving north at 15 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. This strong thunderstorm will be near... Rio En Medio in Santa Fe County and Chupadero around 110 AM MDT. Nambe Pueblo and Cuyamungue around 125 AM MDT. Pojoaque, Nambe Lake, Pojoaque Pueblo, Jaconita, Jacona and El Rancho around 130 AM MDT. Accumulations of small hail on roads can create very slick and hazardous driving conditions. && LAT...LON 3573 10595 3573 10604 3595 10611 3594 10582 TIME...MOT...LOC 0658Z 181DEG 15KT 3577 10600 Shoemake
The Albuquerque radar (KABX), 94 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 07:28 UTC.
40 hail, 11 thunderstorm wind, 8 funnel cloud, 5 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Many residents of Santa Fe awaken by a severe storm with heavy rain and hail to the size of quarters or larger. Damage occurred to vehicles, roofs, skylights, and trees were stripped of leaves. Damages are estimated.
Dime to quarter size hail reported near Fruitland and Nenahnezad.
Thunderstorm moving over Tajique produced penny size hail.
Hail up to the size of pennies reported at La Cueva.
A funnel cloud was spotted southeast of state roads 337 and 55.
Hail up to the size of quarters reported in Moriarty.
A major hailstorm pummeled the area around San Felipe and Kewa pueblos and Interstate 25. Hail accumulated to several inches deep. Strong winds with the hail produced damage to roofs, windows, and several vehicles. Damage amounts are estimated.
Quarter size hail accumulated six inches deep along state highway 337 northeast of Tajique. One vehicle slid off the road into a ditch.
Quarter size hail near Corona.
Quarter size hail for five minutes southeast of Cedarvale.
Emergency manager spotted a brief funnel cloud to the northeast of Carrizozo.
Storm chaser captured video of a tornado on the ground along Interstate 40 near Clines Corners. Other observers in the area reported the tornado touched down just south of Interstate 40 around 1215 pm MDT then moved north-northwest into extreme far southeast Santa Fe County over a 20 minute period. Trees were uprooted in the area.
Hail up to the size of pennies on the southwest side of Santa Fe.
Quarter size hail lasted for one minute at Clines Corners.
Wind gusts near 65 mph snapped off a large tree limb in Santa Fe. A local horse stable sustained roof damage and a large tree was uprooted. Damages are estimated.
A severe thunderstorm crossed Interstate 25 east of the Santa Fe airport then moved north along NM-599. This storm produced a brief EF-0 tornado 2.8 miles northeast of the Santa Fe airport, near NM-599 and Agua Fria, then tracked toward the north for approximately 0.3 miles. Mainly localized and minor damage was observed with this tornado event. The Santa Fe Airport tower personnel also spotted a funnel cloud north of the airport.
This event is a continuation of the tornado captured by a storm chaser moving northwest of Clines Corners from Torrance County into extreme southeast Santa Fe County.
Several observers around Carrizozo reported a well developed funnel cloud near Carrizo Mountain a couple miles northeast of town.
Nickel to quarter size hail accumulated three inches deep near Turley.
Quarter size hail along CR-502 near El Rancho covering the roadway.
Storm chaser video showed the well-developed funnel cloud spotted by many observers near Carrizozo touched down for about one minute. An area of dust was observed swirling on the ground beneath a solid condensation funnel elevated off the ground. No damage observed.
Hail up to the size of quarters in Hernandez.
Quarter size hail in Pecos.
Hail up to the size of ping pong balls in Anton Chico.
Hail up to the size of golf balls northeast of Anton Chico.
Hail up to the size of half dollars reported along Interstate 40 at mile marker 252.
Media crew with KRQE spotted a funnel cloud just north of Interstate 40 near U.S. Highway 84.
Dime to nickel size hail near NM-528 and Corrales Road.
Storm chasers spotted a well developed tornado east of Interstate 25 a few miles northeast of Wagon Mound.
Penny size hail in Rio Rancho.
Thunderstorm outflow crossing White Sands Missile Range produced a peak wind gust to 65 mph.
Thunderstorm outflow crossing White Sands Missile Range produced a peak wind gust to 65 mph.
Wind gust at least 60 mph with damage to small tree limbs.
Decaying thunderstorm outflow produced a peak wind gust to 62 mph near Adelino.
The first funnel cloud in a series spotted west-northwest of Portales.
Decaying thunderstorms well south of Albuquerque generated a peak wind gust to 63 mph at the Sunport. Sustained winds were as high as 50 mph. Visibility fell to three miles in blowing dust at the Sunport and as low as one quarter mile in downtown Albuquerque.
Several trees, power poles, and power lines were blown down across downtown Albuquerque.
Observers at Cannon Air Force Base reported the second funnel cloud produced from a severe thunderstorm moving northeast from Roosevelt County into Curry County.
Quarter to hen egg size hail reported at a Cannon Air Force Base housing complex.
Hail at least the size of half dollars fell a couple miles southeast of Tucumcari.
Hail up to the size of ping pong balls reported on the north side of Cannon Air Force Base.
The third funnel cloud was spotted from a severe thunderstorm moving northeast across Curry County.
Damaging hail storm with at least hen egg size hail. Two windows broken at residence and two windshields smashed out. Damage amounts are estimated.
The fourth funnel cloud was reported from a severe thunderstorm moving northeast across Curry County. No touchdown was confirmed by an NWS storm survey.
The NMSU Agricultural Science Center northeast of Clovis reported major damage from a severe hail storm. Hail estimated at least to the size of hen eggs produced a major crop loss at the facility. Damage amounts are estimated.
The COOP observer north of Clovis reported half dollar size hail.
Outflow winds on the front side of an approaching thunderstorms downed several small tree limbs around Clayton. Pea size hail accumulated four inches deep.
Thunderstorm wind gusts estimated between 60 and 70 mph with dime size hail.
Clayton airport.
A weather station near Sedan reported a peak wind gust to 60 mph.
Hail began falling at nickel size on the south side of Roswell. Severe hail moved into the area after this report.
Quarter to half dollar size hail covered the ground in Roswell.
Hail up to the size of golf balls on the west side of Roswell.
Quarter size hail at Wyoming and Alameda in Roswell.
Hail up to the size of nickels on the northwest side of Roswell.
Hail up to the size of ping pong balls fell on the northwest side of Roswell.
Hail up to the size of half dollars on the north side of Roswell shredded leaves, small tree branches, and the vegetable garden.
Hail up to the size of half dollars northeast of Roswell.
A second thunderstorm moved into Roswell and produced nickel size hail.
Hail up to the size of quarters one mile south of Pep in association with a tornado warned thunderstorm.
A third severe thunderstorm moving across Roswell produced quarter size hail on the northwest side of town.
Observer reported hail up to the size of quarters southwest of Portales.
Hail up to the size of quarters two miles southwest of Portales.
Nickel size hail on the west side of Portales.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for New Mexico, 2017Warnings in New Mexico, May 2017
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 686030, 686031, 686032, 686034, 686033, 686036, 687170, 687171, 687165, 687168, 687173, 687192, 687177, 687176, 687178, 687241, 740988, 687250, 687245, 687259, 691815, 687500, 687260, 687261, 687262, 687295, 687299, 687297, 687300, 687298, 687302, 687303, 687296, 687304, 687301, 687342, 687343, 687344, 687345, 687348, and more.