Las Vegas, New Mexico – Isolated hail as large as ping pong balls and wind gusts up to 75 mph threaten parts of New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until midnight Friday.
According to the National Weather Service, the watch is in effect for Las Vegas, Santa Rosa, Tucumcari, Clovis, Raton, Trinidad, and surrounding areas, as well as Amarillo, Hereford, and Dumas in Texas. Residents should expect scattered storms capable of producing frequent lightning and damaging winds. Local emergency managers urge drivers to stay off highways like I-25 and I-40 during the strongest storms.
Potential impacts include downed trees, power outages, and dangerous travel conditions, especially in rural and open areas. School and hospital facilities across the region, including 286 schools and 24 hospitals, may be affected if severe weather intensifies.
Officials recommend securing outdoor items, charging cell phones, and monitoring local alerts. If outdoors, seek shelter immediately when thunder roars. This system could bring the largest hail seen in the area this July and mirrors a similar severe event from June 2022.
Severe weather watches remain in effect through 12 a.m. Saturday, and additional warnings could be issued if storms intensify overnight.
