Thunderstorm Wind — Sabine, Louisiana

2024-05-28 · near Toro, Sabine, Louisiana

Event narrative

Severe thunderstorm wind gusts estimated at near 70 mph resulted in a fishing barge capsizing near the Pirates Cove area along Toledo Bend Lake. Two of the six occupants inside the fishing barge became trapped under the barge and drowned.

Wider weather episode

A warm front extended east northeastward from an attendant surface low across East Texas into West Central Louisiana during the morning hours on May 28th. Modest warm air advection across this boundary contributed to the development of severe thunderstorms in association with an advancing mesoscale convective system (MCS). A gradual strengthening of the low-level jet allowed its eastern periphery to interact with the frontal zone, contributing to additional thunderstorm development via warm air advection. Steep mid-level lapse rates were in place over East Texas and the adjacent areas of West Central Louisiana, estimated near 8-8.5 degrees C/km from 700 to 500 mb. Moderate westerly flow aloft was present as well, contributing to 0-6 km bulk shear from 40 to 50 knots. Storm mode largely evolved into a widespread damaging wind threat within a strengthening bowing storm structure with numerous severe wind reports, including a boat capsizing near the Pirates Cove area along Toledo Bend Lake. Two of the six occupants inside the boat became trapped under the boat and drowned.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (31.2797, -93.5855)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1188509. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.