Thunderstorm Wind — Cochran, Texas

2023-10-02 · near Whiteface, Cochran, Texas

Event narrative

A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Sundown measured severe wind gusts from 1903 CST through 1908 CST. A peak wind gust of 68 mph was measured at 1908 CST.

Wider weather episode

Plentiful moisture with lift from a large storm system approaching through the Intermountain West, resulted in numerous showers and thunderstorms late on the second through early on the third. The initial thunderstorm development occurred over eastern New Mexico on the afternoon of the second, but spread into the western South Plains during the evening. The most intense thunderstorms produced pockets of hail and strong winds, including a peak wind gust of 68 mph measured at the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet located eight miles southwest of Sundown. However, even more impactful was the torrential rain that accompanied the thunderstorms and affected much of the central and southern South Plains. Rain totals of two to four inches were common across the central and southern South Plains, including in and around Lubbock, from this overnight event. This heaviest rain targeted the southern portions of Lubbock and points south and west from there, including through much of Lynn, Terry, and Yoakum Counties. Runoff from the excessive rain on Lubbock caused the North Fork Double Mountain Fork Brazos River to swell rising above flood stage. The water continued downstream from Lubbock, rising out of the banks and over Farm to Market Road 835, immediately upstream of Buffalo Springs Lake on the third. The water flowing over Farm to Market Road 835 peaked around two feet deep and prompted a road closure for several hours.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.3892, -102.6099)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1130632. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.