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Stunning Images Of Supercell Thunderstorm Rolling Over New Mexico & Spitting Out 4 Inch Hailstones (PICTURES)

Supercell Thunderstorm Looms Over New Mexico, Spitting Out 4 Inch Hailstones (PICTURES)
Sara C Nelson
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A powerful supercell thunderstorm roiled over New Mexico this weekend, spitting out mammoth hailstones measuring four inches in diameter.

Tornado warnings were issued in the state, with residents being advised to take shelter in basements and to cover themselves with pillows and blankets.

Supercells are rare thunderstorms characterised by a persistently rotating updraft (called a mesocyclone), the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office explains.

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The mesocyclone pictured north of Roswell

They are potentially dangerous as they can last several hours and generate violent tornadoes as well as downpours and oversize hailstones.

Last month stunning time-lapse video of a spinning supercell storm in Wyoming was posted online.

Supercell storm New Mexico
(01 of10)
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Taken on June 9, four miles south of Artesia. (credit: National Weather Service Albuquerque)
(02 of10)
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Captured just north of Roswell on Saturday, June 7th.
(03 of10)
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(credit: National Weather Service Albuquerque)
(04 of10)
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40 miles west-northwest of Roswell. (credit: National Weather Service Albuquerque)
(05 of10)
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Artesia. (credit: National Weather Service Albuquerque)
(06 of10)
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Just south of Tucumcari Saturday evening (credit: National Weather Service Albuquerque)
(07 of10)
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Lakewood (credit: National Weather Service Albuquerque)
(08 of10)
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Landspout tornado near Springer, New Mexico. (credit: National Weather Service Albuquerque)
(09 of10)
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(credit:Demotix)
(10 of10)
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(credit:Demotix)

The clip showed nature at its most spectacular, with the towering thunderstorm created by warm air from the desert mixing with cold air from the Rockies.

SEE ALSO:

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Under the Anvil, Looking West - Presho South Dakota, USA, June 2011. Credit: Camille Seaman (credit:Camille Seaman, www.camilleseaman.com)
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Mammatus Clouds III - Nebraska, USA, June 2008Credit: Camille Seaman (credit:Camille Seaman, www.camilleseaman.com)
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Mammatus Clouds IV - Nebraska, USA, June 2008Credit: Camille Seaman (credit:Camille Seaman, www.camilleseaman.com)
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