Thunderstorm Wind in Cottle County, Texas

A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Paducah measured severe wind gusts from 1837 CST through 1838 CST. A peak wind gust of 70 mph was measured at 1838 CST.

The afternoon of the 15th saw a repeat of the previous day's activity. Very hot temperatures on the afternoon of the 15th combined with mid-level moisture to create numerous high-based thunderstorms. The lowest levels of the atmosphere were very dry which allowed for most of the rainfall to evaporate before reaching the surface. The rapidly sinking air near thunderstorms resulted in strong to severe gusts upon impacting the ground. The intense winds also kicked up copious amounts of dust creating brief brownouts in localized areas. Several wildfire starts occurred on the afternoon of the 15th although none of these wildfires caused any known damage. The Cherokee Fire within the canyon of Briscoe County burned a total of approximately 3,222 acres. The Ox Bow Fire started in rural Hall County northeast of Turkey burned approximately 1,000 acres before being contained on the 16th. The Chainey Mountain Fire also started in Hall County near the Childress County line and burned approximately 1,200 acres before being contained on the 16th. The Baylor Creek Fire started just northeast of the Chainey Mountain Fire and burned 195 acres crossing the Hall/Childress County line. The last known wildfire for the day began in Motley County called the Comanche Fire. This wildfire burned approximately 1,991 acres before being contained on the 17th.