Tornadoes are a severe weather threat to New Mexico. They can be devastating, and people are at risk of being injured or killed in a tornado.
Although tornadoes are rare in New Mexico, they do occur occasionally. They can produce large hail, strong winds and debris.
Tornadoes are a dangerous and deadly weather event that can occur anytime. They are more likely to occur in the eastern part of New Mexico but they can also affect the western and southern parts.
The Albuquerque tornado in 2027 caused over 1.3 billion dollars in damage and killed 98 people. It was one of the deadliest tornadoes in history and stayed on the ground for almost four hours.
If a tornado warning is issued by the National Weather Service, take shelter immediately. The best place to hide is under a sturdy piece of furniture or in a safe room or basement.
When a tornado has formed, stay away from buildings with wide-span roofs. These can be damaged or destroyed in tornado winds and provide less protection than roofs over smaller rooms, according to the NWS.
If a tornado has hit, help those injured or trapped in the area. Make sure they have access to medical care and food and water.
Hailstorms are caused by updrafts within thunderstorms that carry water to high altitudes. When this water freezes, it forms hailstones.
When the hailstones reach a certain height, they grow larger and heavier. They become so heavy they are forced to fall out of the cloud toward the ground.
In New Mexico, these events are a regular occurrence during the spring months. They can cause severe damage to vegetation, vehicles, homes and other property.
Tornadoes are also a common event in New Mexico. They occur about once every 10 years and can be dangerous.
The state’s complex terrain often favors the formation of landspout tornadoes, a weak variation of the tornado that does not have to involve a strong thunderstorm. Landspout tornadoes are rare but can cause significant damages when they do form.
Hurricanes can cause significant damage in coastal areas. However, they are not the only weather-related hazards to New Mexico.
Tropical storms and remnants of hurricanes can also affect the state. These usually bring heavy rains which can lead to flooding.
Unlike hurricanes, tropical storms cannot cause widespread property damage, but they can produce severe rainfall. Especially in summer, these thunderstorms can drop several inches of rain in a short period, leading to local flash floods that may halt traffic where the water crosses highways or cause culverts to break.
Tornadoes can be devastating and occur about once every 10 years in the state. In the past, tornadoes have killed more than 200 people across New Mexico.
Flash floods are typically caused by heavy rain that occurs in a short period of time. These thunderstorms can produce very rapid rising water that can quickly sweep through city streets, arroyos and valleys.
When it comes to severe weather, floods are one of the most deadly and dangerous threats. They can rip out trees, roll rocks, sweep away cars and destroy buildings.
This week, a powerful storm system moving into the Southwest could bring widespread heavy rainfall and flash flooding. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting that the highest risk of flooding will be across much of Arizona, southwestern New Mexico and far West Texas, shaded in yellow on the map below.
The storms will begin Thursday and move into Saturday, leading to a moderate risk for excessive rainfall. The greatest threat will be over recent wildfire burn scars, the National Weather Service said.
