Surface southeasterly flow continued over eastern New Mexico which trended moisture upward across the area. With another day of warming temperatures and an unstable atmosphere, strong to severe thunderstorms once again impacted the eastern plains of New Mexico on May 15, 2021. By early afternoon, thunderstorms developed along the northern and southern high terrain of New Mexico. As they tracked eastward onto lower elevations, they moved into a more unstable and sheared environment where they quickly intensified. The most significant damage occurred in Portales where hail up to the size of half dollars was reported. Additionally, the general slow movement of these thunderstorms near the New Mexico and Texas state line resulted in heavy rainfall and flash flooding in Portales. A water rescue was conducted for a family who attempted to drive through the flooded roadways.

Hail in COLFAX, NEW MEXICO
From 15-MAY-21 14:10:00 to 15-MAY-21 14:35:00 (MST-7)
Location: YANKEE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A severe thunderstorm produced large amounts of hail at least one inch in diameter. A commuter traveling along U.S. Highway 64 west of Capulin reported that at least three inches of hail accumulation was covering the road.

Hail in ROOSEVELT, NEW MEXICO
From 15-MAY-21 14:31:00 to 15-MAY-21 14:40:00 (MST-7)
Location: PORTALES
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter in Portales measured 1.25 inch hail from a severe thunderstorm.

Flash Flood in ROOSEVELT, NEW MEXICO
From 15-MAY-21 15:39:00 to 15-MAY-21 18:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: PORTALES
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Slow-moving thunderstorms in the Portales area produced three to four inches of rainfall in a short period of time. This led to flash flooding in the area where a trained spotter reported some roadways were under 2 feet of water. The Portales Fire Department had to perform a water rescue for a family of three which included two children after their car was swept into a drainage ditch. The family was traveling along 18th Street when their car was swept by the flooded waters and pushed into a culvert headed south along S Globe Street. Their car eventually came to a stop against a pipe that was across the culvert. The family was rescued about 45 minutes after the first 911 call, and no injuries were reported. Damages are estimated for the loss of the car as well as rough estimates for water damages to an unknown amount of structures.

Hail in ROOSEVELT, NEW MEXICO
From 15-MAY-21 15:23:00 to 15-MAY-21 15:35:00 (MST-7)
Location: PORTALES
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported penny size hail from a strong thunderstorm in Portales.

Hail in ROOSEVELT, NEW MEXICO
From 15-MAY-21 15:35:00 to 15-MAY-21 16:10:00 (MST-7)
Location: PORTALES
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several trained spotters in Portales reported hail ranging from the size of quarters to the size of golf balls from a slow-moving severe thunderstorm. Hail accumulations of one to two inches in the area resulted in the collapse of a patio roof at one residence in Portales. Damages are estimated for the destruction of the roof.

Thunderstorm Wind in QUAY, NEW MEXICO
From 15-MAY-21 15:39:00 to 15-MAY-21 15:41:00 (MST-7)
Location: (TCC)TUCUMCARI ARPT
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An ASOS station in Tucumcari recorded a 59 mph wind gust from a severe thunderstorm.

Hail in QUAY, NEW MEXICO
From 15-MAY-21 15:15:00 to 15-MAY-21 15:20:00 (MST-7)
Location: (TCC)TUCUMCARI ARPT
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A CoCoRaHS observer reported penny size hail from a strong thunderstorm east-southeast of Tucumcari.