Wind and Tornado Threats Target New Mexico Into the Texas Panhandle Tonight

A focused area of stronger storms is expected this evening and overnight across the southern High Plains, while a few stronger storms remain possible farther west this afternoon. Most of the rest of the country will see only scattered thunderstorms or none at all, with the main concerns limited to a few states in the Southwest and southern Plains.

The greatest chance for severe weather today sits over parts of New Mexico and into the Texas Panhandle. Thunderstorms are expected to form and organize into a line that moves quickly east-northeastward this evening and continues overnight. Strong wind gusts are the main concern, with some possibly exceeding 70 mph especially across east-central New Mexico, and an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out later in the night as the storms push into western Texas.

Farther west, a more isolated severe threat is possible this afternoon across south-central and southeast Arizona. A few stronger storms could produce damaging wind gusts, and an isolated tornado is also possible in that region before activity shifts eastward later in the day.

Surrounding areas including parts of Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma are under a lower-end risk for strong storms. Any storms that develop there are expected to be less widespread, though a few could still produce strong wind gusts as the system moves through.

Scattered thunderstorms are also possible across portions of the central and southern United States from the Four Corners region into the Southeast, but these are not expected to become severe. Residents in the higher-risk areas of New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle should stay weather-aware this evening and overnight and be ready to take shelter if storms approach.