An unusually early and intense outbreak of severe storms with large hail and tornadoes occurred across east central and southeast New Mexico during the afternoon and evening of the 23rd. The average date for isolated first reports of damaging hail over the past 20 years has been March 24th with the location typically confined to far southeast New Mexico. The March 23rd 2007 episode produced a number of large hail events from Roswell to Tucumcari and peaked with multiple tornadoes from near Tatum north to Clovis and northeast of Tucumcari. A tornado at Clovis resulted in the death of two elderly citizens, the first tornado fatalities in New Mexico since October of 1974. The episode was characterized by a slow moving upper level low that produced strong speed shear but nearly uniform southerly directional flow aloft across the eastern and southeastern sections of the state. Storms with large hail developed first during early and mid afternoon from near Roswell north to Tucumcari. Towards late afternoon and early evening as storms migrated north northeast they encountered an increasing but shallow easterly surface flow that enhanced low level shear resulting in brief but shallow tornadoes. Multiple small but elevated vortices were observed circulating around well defined wall clouds with occasional spin downs into brief tornadoes.

Hail in CHAVES, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 13:45:00 to 23-MAR-07 13:45:00 (MST-7)
Location: DEXTER
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Large hail over Dexter as storm moves north.

Hail in DE BACA, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 15:25:00 to 23-MAR-07 15:25:00 (MST-7)
Location: FT SUMNER
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Public

Hail in ROOSEVELT, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 18:15:00 to 23-MAR-07 18:15:00 (MST-7)
Location: ELIDA
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Tornado in QUAY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 14:12:00 to 23-MAR-07 14:20:00 (MST-7)
Location: LOGAN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 3.50M
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A small and possibly elevated landspout type tornado developed on the far east end of a rear flank outflow that swung south through east over Logan as a storm centered about 5 miles to the west moved north over Ute Lake. Damage along the track as it moved over the west side of Logan was intermittent with damage indicators pointing to winds of general 80 to 90 mph with peak winds near the south and north ends of the track estimated at 105 mph. Average track width was around 100 yards. Logan had no tornado siren system but citizens reported nearly 30 to 50 minutes notice of an approaching severe thunderstorm. About a dozen injuries were reported with only two transported to Tucumcari for brief treatment in hospital. Heaviest damage was mainly confined to about 50 manufactured homes and recreational vehicles tossed and rolled mainly on the south end of the lake resort community. Damage to site constructed homes and buildings was limited to window, roof and soffit damage except for one 1910 era frame home that lost its roof.

Tornado in ROOSEVELT, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 17:05:00 to 23-MAR-07 17:08:00 (MST-7)
Location: MILNESAND
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Small short lived tornado reported over the open rangeland southwest of Milnesand. Golfball size hail reported in the village. Damage limited to series of downed power poles and electric lines.

Hail in QUAY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 14:05:00 to 23-MAR-07 14:10:00 (MST-7)
Location: LOGAN
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Storm passing mainly west of Logan dumped large hail over the west edge of Ute Lake.

Hail in QUAY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 13:35:00 to 23-MAR-07 13:39:00 (MST-7)
Location: TUCUMCARI
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A burst of hail on the north side of storm core moving over central and eastern Tucumcari.

Hail in ROOSEVELT, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 17:18:00 to 23-MAR-07 17:18:00 (MST-7)
Location: MILNESAND
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in ROOSEVELT, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 17:18:00 to 23-MAR-07 17:18:00 (MST-7)
Location: LINGO
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in UNION, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 15:30:00 to 23-MAR-07 15:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: AMISTAD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail in ROOSEVELT, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 17:08:00 to 23-MAR-07 17:08:00 (MST-7)
Location: MILNESAND
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Tornado in ROOSEVELT, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 18:24:00 to 23-MAR-07 18:27:00 (MST-7)
Location: ARCH
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Small and short lived tornado reported over open rangeland just north of Arch. No reported damage.

Tornado in ROOSEVELT, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 18:28:00 to 23-MAR-07 18:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: ROGERS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Small and short lived tornado reported near Rogers. Initial report of house destroyed not confirmed in areal damage survey. No other damage reports.

Tornado in CURRY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 18:42:00 to 23-MAR-07 19:06:00 (MST-7)
Location: CLOVIS HILLCREST ARP
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 16.50M
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A tornado that developed in Roosevelt County continued north northwest into Curry County for about 3.5 miles then tracked north northeast an additional 4.6 miles into southern and east central sections of Clovis. Intensity of the tornado appeared to wane from EF2 120 mph in Roosevelt County to EF1 100 mph as it moved north into Curry County along Highway 70 where damage was limited to power lines and farm irrigation equipment. Intensity increased again to EF2 level 125 mph for a segment extending from about 4 miles south of Clovis northward into southeast Clovis which sustained the heaviest and most consistent damage as indicated by structural damage and downed power poles. The tornado appeared to wane again as it move north over Highway 60/84 just east of the intersection with Highway 70. The tornado track became intermittent north of Highway 60/84 with winds likely less than 85 mph before a final one half mile track of heavier damage and EF2 level winds of 120-125 mph. Average width was estimated at 200 yards. About 500 homes and other facilities sustained at least some damage ranging from complete destruction of mobile homes in southeast Clovis and wall collapse at several businesses along Highway 60/84 to the loss of roof shingles and roof top air conditioning units. Thirty five people suffered treatment injuries including five that required hospitalization. Two elderly citizens died later from injuries sustained during the event making these the first tornado fatalities in New Mexico since October of 1974.

Tornado in ROOSEVELT, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 18:30:00 to 23-MAR-07 18:42:00 (MST-7)
Location: CAMEO
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 2.50M
Crop damage: 250.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Tornado with estimated peak winds of near 120 mph severely damaged the Portales City water well facility on State Road 202 about 5 miles east of Highway 70. The tornado moved north northwest destroying a new dairy before continuing northwest into Curry County. No injuries reported but storm debris briefly trapped a dairy employee. About 190 dairy cows either killed by the event or else sent to immediate slaughter due to injuries. Average width approximately 200 yards.

Hail in ROOSEVELT, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 17:00:00 to 23-MAR-07 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: MILNESAND
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Golfball size hail reported in Milnesand with storm moving north over the village.

Hail in QUAY, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 13:50:00 to 23-MAR-07 13:55:00 (MST-7)
Location: TUCUMCARI
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail to 3 inches deep filling ditches and covering the roads on northeast side of Tucumcari. Highway department called out to blade ice from roads.

Hail in CHAVES, NEW MEXICO
From 23-MAR-07 14:00:00 to 23-MAR-07 14:05:00 (MST-7)
Location: ROSWELL
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail moving northward into Roswell.