Tornadoes in New Mexico

A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air that is touching the ground and are pendant from a thunderstorm. The entire tornado may not be visible at all times. Tornadoes vary in intensity from 40 mph for the weakest up to 300 mph for the most violent.

Tornadoes have been verified in most New Mexico counties. The highest risk of tornadoes is in the east during April through July.

Here are some tornado facts for New Mexico:

• The Cimarron tornado on July 25, 1996 caused nearly 2 million dollars in damage, but fortunately no fatalities.

• Other tornadoes that caused multiple injuries include: Carlsbad 1992 (6 injured), Maxwell 1964 (1 dead, 8 injured), Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron 1960 (34 injured), and Wagon Mound 1930 (3 dead, 19 injured).

• Seventy-five (75) percent of the tornadoes occur in eastern New Mexico and most frequently from April through July.   However, the latest tornado fatality in New Mexico occurred west of Albuquerque in October 1974 and a rare winter tornado was reported southwest of Roswell in December 1997, proving that tornadoes can form nearly anytime and anywhere within the state.

• Tornadoes can occur any elevation.  A small tornado caused damage just east of Santa Fe in 1991 at an elevation above 7000 feet. Others have been reported in the mountains around Ruidoso.

• New Mexico averages 10 tornadoes per year. In 1998, at least 6 tornadoes were sighted, including an unusual September tornado in Rio Arriba County near Tierra Amarilla.

Low population and wide open space both contribute to low reporting of tornadoes in New Mexico.

Remember these tornado safety rules:

• Move quickly; seconds save lives.

• In the home, the best haven from tornado winds is a basement below ground level. Otherwise, seek shelter on the lowest floor of your home or business. Take cover in an interior closet, hallway, or bathroom.

• Be sure to stay clear of windows or any threat of flying glass and get to a place of safety before a tornado strikes.

• If you live in a mobile home, be sure you have a plan of safe action should the weather become threatening. Mobile homes provide no shelter in a tornado regardless of how well secured and should be abandoned for a storm shelter or closest sturdy building.

• If no shelter is available, lie flat in a ditch or depression in the ground. This will protect you from deadly flying debris.

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