EF2 tornado in Smith County, Texas

A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team concluded that the damage on the east side of Lindale, Texas was consistent with that of an EF-2 Tornado with wind speeds estimated between 110 and 120 mph. Approximately 50 homes sustained damage either from fallen trees or from the tornado itself with 2 homes suffering major damage. The worst of the damage was along CR 4191 where the tornado damaged homes on or near Brownwood Circle, Bentwood Circle, Braewood Circle, Greenwood Circle and Edgewood Circle. The tornado continued in a north northeast direction crossing CR. 431 and FM. 16 before lifting near CR. 4213. Numerous trees were either uprooted or snapped along the path of this tornado as well. A monetary amount of damage was not available for this publication.

A strong upper level trough moved into the Central and Southern Plains during the morning and afternoon hours of December 12th. This trough ejected into the plains with a slight negative tilt which was indicative of strong jet dynamics in association with this trough. Likewise, low level and deep level shear was quite strong with this trough across Northeast Texas during the late afternoon and evening hours of the 12th as well as the morning hours of the 13th. While instability was very weak, the strong shear made up for the development of strong to severe thunderstorms, some of which produced tornadoes across Northeast Texas. Training of storm echoes also occurred which resulted in widespread flash flooding across the region as well.