Hail — Cibola, New Mexico

2016-11-05 · near Correo, Cibola, New Mexico

Event narrative

Penny to quarter size hail along I-40 near mile marker 127.

Wider weather episode

A slow-moving upper level low pressure over the Four Corners region and persistent, moist, low level easterly flow over New Mexico created an active weather pattern over the region for several days. Precipitation amounts over a four day period ranged from 1 to 4 inches across much of northern and central New Mexico. High elevation areas above 11,000 feet even saw several inches of wet snow. The Continental Divide and northeast plains picked up the heaviest rainfall amounts of 3 to 4 inches. Flooding undermined NM 169 near Alamo late on the 4th. Many of the thunderstorms that pushed through the state also produced hail. The strongest thunderstorm impacted the Albuquerque east side with large hail up to the size of half dollars. This was the largest diameter hail stone reported during the month of November, as well as the latest a severe-szied hailstone had been reported, in the Albuquerque Metro Area since 1959. Accumulations of hail and heavy rain wreaked havoc on motorists across the city well into the evening hours. Many folks reported entire trees stripped of their late season leaves. However, no significant damage was reported to vehicles or residences.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.9806, -107.1716)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 659323. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.