Hail in Cibola County, New Mexico

Nickel size hail at El Malpais National Monument.

A potent back door frontal boundary shifted west through the Rio Grande Valley and delivered much higher moisture levels west to the Continental Divide on June 3rd.

Meanwhile, an upper level wave moving northeast through the Four Corners region spread stronger winds aloft over the state and the necessary shear and lift for strong to severe thunderstorms. Showers and thunderstorms developed quickly after sunrise along the Continental Divide then spread northeastward into the Rio Grande Valley through the afternoon. These storms produced hail and strong winds across the area with even a few funnel clouds and two tornadoes. Heavy rainfall accompanied this activity as it shifted east into eastern New Mexico through the late evening hours. Powerful straight line winds from two separate downbursts produced significant damage in rural south-central Chaves County. Three mobile homes were overturned and completely destroyed west of Hagerman. Several recreational vehicles were also overturned and damaged in the vicinity. A large barn west of Lake Arthur was also completely destroyed.