Tornado watch issued for eastern NM

A tornado watch has been issued for Curry, Quay and Roosevelt counties by the National Weather Service.

The watch, which means conditions exist for the development of a tornado, is in effect until 8 p.m. Friday.

NWS reported Friday afternoon that Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9 miles east of Ragland, or 26 miles south of Tucumcari, moving northeast at 40 mph.

Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible with the storm. Frequent and cloud-to-ground lightning are also possible, NWS reported.