To the right is a simplified graphic to illustrate this process. Severe thunderstorms in New Mexico can and often do produce damaging downburst winds. Because of the state's extremely low population density and the limitations imposed by our poor radar coverage, many of these downbursts go undetected. When these winds do happen over locations where people live, the damage is often comparable to the damage done by a short-lived F0 or F1 tornado. We say it really depends on where in New Mexico you are located and whether or not we are in an established El Ni o or La Ni a episode.
Precipitation increases from southwest to northeast across the state.
As little as 5 percent of the total annual rainfall comes in a normal spring for southwest New Mexico locations with near 30 percent of annual totals considered normal for northeast locations. Weather during the spring months pose many challenges for Forecasters, On-Air Meteorologists, Emergency Managers and Planners. It would not be uncommon for the National Weather Service to have a Winter Storm Watch in effect for a portion of New Mexico, a High Wind Watch in effect for another portion and a Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Watch for another section in advance of an approaching storm system. May. The number of reported large hail and tornado events increase the same way, as the likelihood of storms becoming severe increases as well. May and June are the biggest severe weather months in New Mexico.