Is there a severe thunderstorm warning in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico?

Yes. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has a Severe Thunderstorm Warning in effect until 4:00 PM MDT for south central Rio Arriba and northeastern Sandoval counties.

How big is the hail in this storm?

The National Weather Service says the storm can produce golf ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts. The hail and wind can damage roofs, siding, windows, vehicles and trees.

Which places and roads are affected?

Fenton Lake State Park is named as an impacted location. The warning also includes Highway 550 between Mile Markers 46 and 61.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Fenton Lake State Park, Rio Arriba and Sandoval counties, NM: Oct 23, 2026

Key facts

Alert: Severe Thunderstorm Warning (severe)
Issued by: National Weather Service, Albuquerque NM
Areas: Rio Arriba, NM; Sandoval, NM
Places: Northeastern Sandoval Counties
In effect: until 4:00 PM MDT, Oct 23, 2026

The red outline is the area the National Weather Service put under the severe thunderstorm warning. Source: NWS alert polygon. Not to scale with roads.

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What the National Weather Service says

“Anyone outdoors should move to shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from windows.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Severe Thunderstorm Warning, 3:46 PM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert

“This storm is capable of producing dangerous hail and damaging winds.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Severe Thunderstorm Warning, 3:46 PM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert

“This includes Highway 550 between Mile Markers 46 and 61.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Severe Thunderstorm Warning, 3:46 PM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert

What to do

Move indoors now to a well-built structure and stay away from windows. People and animals outdoors can be injured by large hail.

If you are driving on Highway 550 between Mile Markers 46 and 61, be ready to find safe shelter. Hail and strong wind can damage vehicles.

Keep vehicles under cover if you can do so safely. Do not go outside to protect property while the storm is overhead.

Follow the instructions of local officials and the National Weather Service until the warning ends at 4:00 PM MDT.

Context

The National Weather Service rates the damage threat for this storm as considerable. It was located 10 miles south of Cuba at 3:21 PM MDT, moving northeast at 35 mph, based on radar.

FEMA flood-insurance claims count only insured properties, so they understate total flood losses. Rio Arriba County has 31 claims from 1980 to 2018, and Sandoval County has 51 from 1979 to 2026. Both counties were in FEMA disaster declarations for severe storms and flooding in 2013 and 2014.

Updates

4:00 PM MDT The severe thunderstorm warning expired at 4:00 PM MDT.
3:46 PM MDT The National Weather Service updated the severe thunderstorm warning; it remains in effect until 4:00 PM MDT.
3:38 PM MDT The National Weather Service updated the severe thunderstorm warning; it remains in effect until 4:00 PM MDT.
3:21 PM MDT NWS Albuquerque NM issued the severe thunderstorm warning until 4:00 PM MDT.

History here

Rio Arriba County: 31 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1980, most recent 2018.

Rio Arriba County: recent federal disaster declarations

DR-4795 (2024): south fork fire, salt fire, and flooding
DR-4197 (2014): severe storms and flooding
DR-4152 (2013): severe storms, flooding, and mudslides
DR-1962 (2011): severe winter storm and extreme cold temperatures
DR-1659 (2006): severe storms and flooding

Sandoval County: 51 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1979, most recent 2026.

Sandoval County: recent federal disaster declarations

DR-4652 (2022): wildfires, straight-line winds, flooding, mudflows, and debris flows
DR-4197 (2014): severe storms and flooding
DR-4152 (2013): severe storms, flooding, and mudslides
DR-4148 (2013): severe storms and flooding
DR-4079 (2012): flooding

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Questions

Is there a severe thunderstorm warning in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico?: Yes. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has a Severe Thunderstorm Warning in effect until 4:00 PM MDT for south central Rio Arriba and northeastern Sandoval counties.
How big is the hail in this storm?: The National Weather Service says the storm can produce golf ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts. The hail and wind can damage roofs, siding, windows, vehicles and trees.
Which places and roads are affected?: Fenton Lake State Park is named as an impacted location. The warning also includes Highway 550 between Mile Markers 46 and 61.

Sources

NWS Albuquerque NM: Severe Thunderstorm Warning, Oct 23, 2026 weather.gov
FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov

How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.