Hail — Dona Ana, New Mexico

2004-06-03 · near Las Cruces Arpt, Dona Ana, New Mexico

Wider weather episode

A merger of two severe thunderstorms resulted in a right-moving supercell affecting an area mainly west and north of Las Cruces, producing damaging winds and hail as large as golf balls. Hardest hit was the Las Cruces Airport, where a wind gust was measured at 62 mph and a tower was knocked down. Golf ball size hail caused extensive damage to some of the aircraft, especially helicopters owned by Southwest Air Ambulance. There was damage to the runway lighting system, and Southwest Aviation had roof damage. Numerous windows and windshields were shattered at a nearby prison facility. Prior to the merger, the northern cell dropped 3 inches of rain near Radium Springs, but only minor flooding occurred.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (32.3167, -106.7667)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5399886. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.