Hail in De Baca County, New Mexico

A trained spotter estimated one inch hail from a severe thunderstorm in Yeso.

An active stretch of severe weather across eastern New Mexico continued on May 17, 2021 with a significant severe weather outbreak that included multiple tornadoes. As a potent low pressure system approached the state, instability and shear increased across the area, providing a favorable environment for severe thunderstorms. Convective initiation started by late Monday morning over the high terrain of New Mexico. Steering flow generally moved the storms in a northeasterly direction where they intensified over the plains. Several reports of hail and severe winds were received as well as multiple tornado reports. Two supercell tornadoes occurred across eastern New Mexico, but no damage occurred. The environment was even favorable for tornadoes in central New Mexico where three landspout tornadoes were confirmed.