New Mexico Weather Thursday: Large Hail, Damaging Winds Possible

Albuquerque, NM – Northeast New Mexico could face severe thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening, with damaging winds and large hail possible despite fewer storms expected across the state overall.

According to the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, the primary severe weather window runs from 2 to 9 p.m. MDT Thursday. Forecasters have highlighted much of northeastern New Mexico for a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms.

Damaging wind gusts are considered the most likely hazard from the strongest storms. Large hail and localized flash flooding have a lower chance of occurring, while the tornado threat is considered very low, according to the agency's latest outlook.

The severe weather risk includes areas of northeastern New Mexico near communities such as Clayton, Raton, Las Vegas and Tucumcari. Storms that form are expected to generally move eastward.

Thursday will otherwise feature relatively limited storm coverage around New Mexico. Forecast highs include around 90 degrees in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, 85 in Clayton, 83 in Raton, 84 in Las Vegas and 94 in Tucumcari.

A broader change in the weather pattern is expected later in the weekend. The National Weather Service said moisture will slowly return, bringing increasing rain chances to portions of the state.

Those precipitation chances are forecast to become more widespread early next week, when some areas could see daily rain probabilities climb to 40% to 60% or higher.

Anyone with outdoor or travel plans in northeastern New Mexico Thursday afternoon and evening should monitor forecasts and have a reliable way to receive severe weather warnings. Strong winds, hail and heavy rainfall could quickly create hazardous driving conditions where thunderstorms develop.