Baseball-Sized Hail Smashes New Mexico in Severe Storm Outbreak

Severe Thunderstorms Strike New Mexico

A powerful storm system moved through northern New Mexico on Friday, bringing severe thunderstorms that produced Apple-sized hail. The enormous hail caused major damage across the region as the intense storms swept through.

Driver Forced Off Road As Hail Smashes Windshield

One driver reported that he was driving home when the gigantic hail suddenly began pounding his vehicle. Within seconds, his windshield was completely shattered by the onslaught of large hailstones.

"It happened so fast. One moment everything was normal and the next my windshield looked like it had been hit with a sledgehammer. I had to pull over right away because I couldn't see anything," the driver recalled.

Emergency crews responded to multiple accidents caused by the low visibility and slippery road conditions. They urged people to stay off the roads until the storms passed.

Baseball-Sized Hail Reported

While most of the hail was golf ball-sized, some eyewitnesses reported seeing even larger stones nearly the size of a baseball. These massive hailstones posed a deadly threat to anyone caught outside.

"I was watching the storms roll in and suddenly these huge hailstones began falling. Some were easily bigger than a baseball. One even left a small crater in the ground when it landed," one observer stated.

Officials say the giant hail indicates the immense severity of this storm system. The National Weather Service had been tracking its development for several days leading up to the outbreak on Friday.

Storms Bring Heavy Rains, Flash Flooding Also Reported

In addition to the destructive hail, the storms also dumped heavy rain across already saturated soils. This led to flash flooding in some areas, washing out roads and stranding drivers.

"We saw rainfall rates up to 4 inches per hour in some of the most intense downpours. With the ground so wet from previous storms, it instantly overwhelmed drainage systems and caused flash flooding," a meteorologist explained.

Rescues Necessary in Flooded Areas

First responders launched several daring rescues of motorists trapped by the rapidly rising floodwaters. Dramatic video on social media shows crews pulling people from submerged vehicles during the height of the storms.

"Turn around, don't drown. We cannot stress enough how dangerous it is to try driving through flood waters. If you come across a flooded road, find an alternate route," emergency management officials stated.

More Storms Possible on Saturday

The storms are expected to continue moving east overnight. However, another round of severe weather is forecast for Saturday afternoon and evening as an unsettled weather pattern settles over New Mexico.

Residents are urged to remain weather-alert through the weekend. Make sure you have multiple ways of receiving warnings and know where to take shelter if dangerous storms enter your area on Saturday.

Storm Reports Collected for Research

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service will analyze the data collected from this destructive storm system. This information helps improve forecast models and warnings for future events.

Detailed storm reports with hail sizes, rainfall rates, wind gusts, and other parameters offer insights into the key ingredients that came together to generate these intense thunderstorms across New Mexico.

Understanding exactly how and why different severe weather events form allows meteorologists to better predict when and where they may happen again. Accurate forecasts save lives by giving people time to prepare and respond appropriately.

So if you experience severe storms make sure to report as many details as possible to your local National Weather Service office. Every storm report matters for future forecasting and research.

FAQs

How big was the largest hail reported in the storms?

Some eyewitnesses reported seeing hailstones close to the size of a baseball, approximately 2.9 inches in diameter. These massive hailstones can cause serious injury and death.

What other threats did the storms produce?

In addition to the destructive hail, the storms dumped very heavy rainfall which led to flash flooding across saturated soils. There were also reports of strong winds that caused minor damage.

Were there injuries from the large hail or flash flooding?

Thankfully as of now there are no reports of serious injuries from the storms. However, some motorists did require rescue from floodwaters that trapped their vehicles.

Are more severe storms expected?

Yes, forecasters say additional severe weather is likely on Saturday as an unsettled pattern continues across New Mexico. Residents need to stay alert for more large hail, flooding, or damaging winds.