Albuquerque, N.M. – Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop across eastern New Mexico beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, potentially disrupting travel and outdoor plans over the holiday weekend with hail, lightning, and a low-end tornado risk.
According to the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, a Marginal Risk for severe storms stretches from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the Texas border and east-central plains. The highest impacts are forecast between 2 p.m. and midnight, with threats including damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning, and isolated hail.
Communities from Clayton to Tucumcari and Clovis may see the brunt of Sunday’s activity. Lightning could disrupt outdoor recreation, while any fast-moving storms over recent burn scars may heighten flash flooding risk. Though flooding is not expected to be widespread, residents in vulnerable areas should remain alert.
Rainfall totals in eastern New Mexico could reach 0.25 to 1.5 inches through Friday, with localized heavier pockets. Meanwhile, dry storms across central and western areas may spark new fires mid-week.
Storm chances will expand westward by midweek, with near-daily afternoon thunderstorm activity possible. Warnings remain in effect through Sunday night, and more advisories may follow into next week.
