Thunderstorm Wind in Lynn County, Texas

A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Tahoka measured severe wind gusts from 2214 CST through 2225 CST. A peak gust of 76 mph was measured at 2219 CST. Minor, although extensive, damage was observed throughout the town of Tahoka. Damage mostly consisted of downed trees, damaged fences, and downed power lines. Downed trees obstructed several roadways throughout Tahoka and Wilson.

Hot temperatures on the afternoon of the 11th slowed down a cold front moving through the area but also provided a focus for thunderstorm development. Strong instability, resulting from the warm temperatures and high moisture, ahead of the front fueled the rapid development of severe thunderstorms from the late afternoon into the evening hours. Thunderstorms initially developed over the extreme southeastern Texas Panhandle and northern Rolling Plains where temperatures in excess of 100 degrees allowed updrafts to break through a capping inversion. Atmospheric flow was weak which allowed storms to move slowly and create torrential rainfall in some locations. Some roads within the city of Levelland (Hockley County) became impassable because of water over the road. The most significant thunderstorm developed over southern Lubbock County and moved southward producing severe wind gusts and wind damage throughout Lynn County. These winds caused minor but widespread damage throughout the towns of Tahoka and Wilson.