Thunderstorm Wind in De Baca County, New Mexico

Law enforcement reported a downed tree in Fort Sumner from strong winds associated with a severe thunderstorm. No information was provided on the diameter of the tree or if additional damage resulted. Damages are roughly estimated for the loss of the tree.

With an area of high pressure centered over southwest New Mexico, temperatures soared across northern and central portions of the state on June 12, 2021. Dry weather prevailed for most areas west of the Rio Grande Valley, but a cold front was responsible for drastically different weather conditions across the east. The cold front moved through eastern New Mexico late on June 11th and helped to replenish low-level moisture and provide an highly unstable and sheared environment. The result was a round of strong to severe thunderstorms that developed first over the northern high terrain and then moved east to southeast onto the plains. The strongest thunderstorm was a supercell near Las Vegas that produced very large hail up to three inches in diameter as well as a tornado. While the hail did some damage in the form of broken windshields, the tornado was over open country. As the thunderstorms marched towards the Texas border, the severe weather threat shifted to primarily a wind threat, and wind gusts exceeding 60 mph were recorded at several locations.