EF2 tornado in Glasscock County, Texas

A thunderstorm moved across Glasscock County and produced a tornado near Lees, TX. This tornado developed at 7:55 pm CDT, approximately four miles southwest of Lees, north of Hillger Road. The tornado, estimated at 200 yards wide, snapped 14 power poles along Hillger Road as it moved slowly southeast. With the poles being snapped approximately five feet off the ground, wind speeds were estimated at about 115 mph, indicating a lower-end EF-2 tornado intensity. There was also a nearby metal building just south of Hillger Road which sustained a loss of metal roof panels due to the tornado. Wind speeds at this location were estimated at 90-100 mph, indicating EF-1 intensity. As it weakened in intensity, this slow moving tornado made an abrupt turn to the northeast and dissipated at 8:07 pm CDT near the intersection of Hillger Road and Ranch Road 33. The cost of damage is a very rough estimate.

West Texas was under the backside of a ridge with a dryline across the area which provided lift. Good instability, moisture convergence, and high convective available potential energy was present along and to the east of the dryline. Wind shear was also high over the area, and a low level jet of high winds allowed for storms to continue into the late evening hours. These conditions contributed to thunderstorms that produced large hail, strong wind, flash flooding, and tornadoes across the Permian Basin.