Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Dona Ana County Through 5:45 PM MDT

Hatch, NM —

What is happening: The National Weather Service in El Paso has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for northwestern Dona Ana County in south central New Mexico, in effect until 5:45 PM MDT. At 5:09 PM MDT, radar showed a severe thunderstorm near Salem, moving north at 35 mph. Communities in the path include Hatch, Rincon, Salem, Garfield, and the Uvas Valley — including Interstate 25 between mile markers 35 and 49.

Local impacts: The storm is packing 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail. Hail that size can dent and crack vehicles, while the winds can peel shingles and siding from roofs and knock down trees and power lines. A tornado watch remains in effect for the warned area.

What to do:

- Move inside now to an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.

- If you are driving on I-25 through the warned stretch, get off the road and take shelter in a sturdy building — do not try to outrun the storm.

- Stay alert: tornadoes can spin up quickly from severe thunderstorms, even when one is not immediately likely.

Source: National Weather Service El Paso/Santa Teresa, October 23, 2026.