An active stretch of severe weather across eastern New Mexico continued on May 17, 2021 with a significant severe weather outbreak that included multiple tornadoes. As a potent low pressure system approached the state, instability and shear increased across the area, providing a favorable environment for severe thunderstorms. Convective initiation started by late Monday morning over the high terrain of New Mexico. Steering flow generally moved the storms in a northeasterly direction where they intensified over the plains. Several reports of hail and severe winds were received as well as multiple tornado reports. Two supercell tornadoes occurred across eastern New Mexico, but no damage occurred. The environment was even favorable for tornadoes in central New Mexico where three landspout tornadoes were confirmed.

Hail in TAOS, NEW MEXICO
From 17-MAY-21 11:45:00 to 17-MAY-21 11:50:00 (MST-7)
Location: RED RIVER
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A member of the public in Red River reported penny size hail from a strong thunderstorm.

Hail in SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
From 17-MAY-21 12:05:00 to 17-MAY-21 12:25:00 (MST-7)
Location: MADRID
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter measured one inch hail from a severe thunderstorm near Los Cerrillos. The severe thunderstorms also produced deep hail accumulations along Interstate 25 with multiple spotters reporting hail depths ranging from one to three inches.

Hail in GUADALUPE, NEW MEXICO
From 17-MAY-21 13:20:00 to 17-MAY-21 13:35:00 (MST-7)
Location: VAUGHN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter estimated nickel size hail from a strong thunderstorm near Vaughn. A travel camera indicated that hail had accumulated along U.S. Highway 285, but no impacts were reported.

Hail in DE BACA, NEW MEXICO
From 17-MAY-21 13:25:00 to 17-MAY-21 13:33:00 (MST-7)
Location: YESO
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter estimated one inch hail from a severe thunderstorm in Yeso.

Hail in SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
From 17-MAY-21 12:45:00 to 17-MAY-21 12:55:00 (MST-7)
Location: AGUA FRIA
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter estimated penny size hail from a strong thunderstorm near Agua Fria.

Hail in SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
From 17-MAY-21 13:35:00 to 17-MAY-21 13:50:00 (MST-7)
Location: GLORIETA
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter estimated penny size hail from a strong thunderstorm southeast of Santa Fe.

Hail in SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
From 17-MAY-21 13:00:00 to 17-MAY-21 13:10:00 (MST-7)
Location: LA CIENEGA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 2.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter estimated one inch hail from a severe thunderstorm near Los Cerrillos. The spotter reported that the hail broke a skylight and also stripped leaves from their trees. Damages are estimated for the damage to the skylight.

Hail in QUAY, NEW MEXICO
From 17-MAY-21 14:00:00 to 17-MAY-21 14:20:00 (MST-7)
Location: HOUSE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported nickel size hail from a strong thunderstorm near House.

Thunderstorm Wind in SAN MIGUEL, NEW MEXICO
From 17-MAY-21 14:37:00 to 17-MAY-21 14:55:00 (MST-7)
Location: (LVS)LAS VEGAS AIRPORT
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An ASOS station in Las Vegas measured a 59 mph wind gust from a severe thunderstorm.

Tornado in CURRY, NEW MEXICO
From 17-MAY-21 15:23:00 to 17-MAY-21 15:25:00 (MST-7)
Location: MELROSE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple spotters reported a brief tornado north of Melrose. No damage was reported.

Tornado in VALENCIA, NEW MEXICO
From 17-MAY-21 11:45:00 to 17-MAY-21 11:46:00 (MST-7)
Location: VALENCIA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A social media user caught video of a brief landspout from a weak thunderstorm near Bosque Farms. No damage was reported.

Funnel Cloud in SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
From 17-MAY-21 12:06:00 to 17-MAY-21 12:08:00 (MST-7)
Location: SANTA FE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A funnel cloud from a strong thunderstorm was spotted near the Santa Fe airport. The funnel cloud never touched down, and no damage was reported.

Tornado in QUAY, NEW MEXICO
From 17-MAY-21 15:33:00 to 17-MAY-21 15:43:00 (MST-7)
Location: NARA VISA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

A supercell near Nara Visa spawned a brief tornado which tracked northwest for approximately ten minutes. No damage was reported.

Tornado in SOCORRO, NEW MEXICO
From 17-MAY-21 10:43:00 to 17-MAY-21 10:53:00 (MST-7)
Location: SCHOLLE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A member of the public reported a landspout tornado near Abo, but no damage was reported.

Tornado in SANDOVAL, NEW MEXICO
From 17-MAY-21 12:08:00 to 17-MAY-21 12:16:00 (MST-7)
Location: DOMINGO
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A member of the public reported a landspout tornado from a thunderstorm near Kewa Pueblo. The landspout developed on the southwest side of the storm and tracked northwest for approximately eight minutes. No damage was reported.