Alert archive / Texas / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1988

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 21, NWS Fort Worth, TX

March 11, 1988Hunt County, Texas

NWS Fort Worth, TX issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Mar 11, 1988, 7:38 PM CST for Hunt County, Texas. It was in force for 67 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Mar 11, 1988, 7:38 PM CST (01:38 UTC)
Expired
Mar 11, 1988, 8:45 PM CST
In force
67 min
Issued by
NWS Fort Worth, TX
Area
Whole counties

County Hunt County, TX

The radar

The WSR-88D network and its archive begin in 1991, so there is no radar volume for this alert.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Mar 11, 7:50 PM CSTHail 0.75Hunt, TX

NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in. Storm Data before 1996 records only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail.

The nearest sounding before it

Longview/Gregg, TX (KGGG), launched 00:00Z, 1.6 hours before the alert went out and 163 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Longview/Gregg, TX at 00:00Z on 1988-03-12Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 406 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Longview/Gregg, TX at 00:00Z on 1988-03-12The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 103 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
406 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-157 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1691 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
53 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
103 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
95 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
4.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KFTW 120138
SVRFTW
TXC231-120245-
 
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
738 PM CST FRI MAR 11 1988
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
EFFECTIVE UNTIL  845 PM CST FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTY...
 
IN NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS
          ...HUNT
 
AT 735 PM RADAR INDICATED A POSSIBLE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM NEAR
GREENVILLE... MOVING NORTHEAST AT ABOUT 40 MPH. MARBLE SIZE HAIL WAS
REPORTED WITH THIS STORM AT 730 PM.
 
IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER FROM THE WEATHER IN A
STRONG BUILDING.  DAMAGING WIND...LARGE HAIL...VERY HEAVY RAIN...
AND DEADLY LIGHTNING ARE ALL POSSIBLE IN SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS.
STAY INSIDE AWAY FROM WINDOWS UNTIL THE STORM HAS PASSED.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 11, 5:31 PM CST, 2 hours 7 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
530 PM CST WED MAR 11 1988

...THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE TO DEVELOP IN PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS
   LATE THIS AFTERNOON...

AT 525 PM...RADAR SHOWED SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS AND SHOWERS
INCREASING IN COVERAGE IN NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS.  THE SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDED FROM THE RED RIVER JUST NORTHEAST OF SHERMAN
TO THE DALLAS-FORT WORTH METROPLEX AND SOUTHWEST TO NEAR HAMILTON
IN HAMILTON COUNTY.

THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG THE RED RIVER BETWEEN
SHERMAN AND BONHAM.  MOVEMENT OF THE THUNDERSTORMS WAS NORTHEAST AT
ABOUT 20 MILES AN HOUR.

HAIL AND HIGH WINDS WILL BE THE MAJOR THREAT OF THESE THUNDERSTORMS.
PEOPLE IN THE VICINITY OF THESE STORMS SHOULD ALSO BEWARE OF FREQUENT
LIGHTNING.  IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES YOUR AREA...MOVE INDOORS
UNTIL THE STORM HAS PASSED.

LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR FURTHER STATEMENTS OR POSSIBLE
WARNINGS.
Special weather statement, Mar 11, 6:00 PM CST, 1 hour 38 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
600 PM CST WED MAR 11 1988

...SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE TO INTENSIFY ALONG A LINE FROM
NEAR BONHAM TO SOUTH OF FORT WORTH...

AT 600 PM WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED SCATTERED STRONG
THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE FROM NEAR BONHAM TO SOUTH OF FORT WORTH.
INDIVIDUAL STORMS WERE MOVING EAST-NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED ABOUT 15 MILES
NORTH-NORTHEAST OF BONHAM...ABOUT 10 MILES NORTH OF CLEBURNE...AND
NEAR MANSFIELD. ALL OF THESE STORMS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SMALL
HAIL AND GUSTY WINDS...WITH MORE INTENSE WEATHER POSSIBLE IF FURTHER
STRENGTHENING OCCURS.

FREQUENT LIGHTNING AND B:RIEF HEAVY RAINFALL WILL ALSO ACCOMPANY THE
STRONGER STORMS. IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES YOUR AREA...MOVE
INDOORS UNTIL THE STORM HAS PASSED.
Special weather statement, Mar 11, 6:36 PM CST, 1 hour 2 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
635 PM CST WED MAR 11 1988

...A LINE OF SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUES TO MOVE ACROSS
   NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS...

AT 630 PM WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF SCATTERED
THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING FROM NORTH OF PARIS TO DALLAS TO NEAR
GLEN ROSE.  THE INDIVIDUAL STORMS WERE MOVING EAST-NORTHEAST AT
40 MILES AN HOUR.

THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED BETWEEN DALLAS AND SOUTH
OF BONHAM...NORTHEAST OF BONHAM AND 5 MILES NORTHWEST OF
WAXAHACHIE.  ALL OF THESE STORMS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SMALL
HAIL AND GUSTY WINDS...WITH MORE INTENSE WEATHER POSSIBLE IF FURTHER
STRENGTHENING OCCURS.

FREQUENT LIGHTNING AnND BRIEF HEAVY RAINFALL WILL ALSO ACCOMPANY THE
STRONGER STORMS. IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES YOUR AREA...MOVE
INDOORS UNTIL THE STORM HAS PASSED.
Special weather statement, Mar 11, 6:41 PM CST, 57 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...CORRECTED...
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
640 PM CST WED MAR 11 1988

...A LINE OF SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUES TO MOVE ACROSS
   NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS...

AT 640 PM WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF SCATTERED
THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING FROM NORTH OF PARIS TO DALLAS TO NEAR
GLEN ROSE.  THE INDIVIDUAL STORMS WERE MOVING EAST-NORTHEAST AT
40 MILES AN HOUR.

THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED IN EASTERN COLLIN COUNTY
EAST OF MCKINNEY...SOUTH OF BONHAM AND BETWEEN DALLAS AND BURLESON.
ALL OF THESE STORMS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SMALL AND GUSTY WINDS...
WITH MORE INTENSE WEATHER POSSIBLE IF FURTHER STRENGTHENING OCCURS.

FREQUENT LIGHTNINpG AND BRIEF HEAVY RAINFALL WILL ALSO ACCOMPANY THE
STRONGER STORMS. IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES YOUR AREA...MOVE
INDOORS UNTIL THE STORM HAS PASSED.
Special weather statement, Mar 11, 6:45 PM CST, 53 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...CORRECTED...
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
645 PM CST WED MAR 11 1988

...A LINE OF SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUES TO MOVE ACROSS
   NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS...

AT 645 PM WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF SCATTERED
THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING FROM NORTH OF PARIS TO DALLAS TO NEAR
GLEN ROSE.  THE INDIVIDUAL STORMS WERE MOVING EAST-NORTHEAST AT
40 MILES AN HOUR.

THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED IN EASTERN COLLIN COUNTY
EAST OF MCKINNEY...SOUTH OF BONHAM AND BETWEEN DALLAS AND BURLESON.
ALL OF THESE STORMS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SMALL HAIL AND GUSTY
WINDS...WITH MORE INTENSE WEATHER POSSIBLE IF FURTHER STRENGTHENING
OCCURS.

FREQUENT LIGyHTNING AND BRIEF HEAVY RAINFALL WILL ALSO ACCOMPANY THE
STRONGER STORMS. IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES YOUR AREA...MOVE
INDOORS UNTIL THE STORM HAS PASSED.
Special weather statement, Mar 11, 6:57 PM CST, 41 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WACO TX
655 PM CST FRI MAR 11 1988

AT 650 PM CST THUNDERSTORMS WERE PRODUCING VERY HEAVY RAIN IN A LINE
THAT EXTENDED FROM 5 MILES SOUTH OF DALLAS TO GLEN ROSE.  EVEN
THOUGH THE INDIVIDUAL STORMS WERE MOVING EAST NORTHEAST AT 40 MILES AN
HOUR..THE LINE WAS MOVING SLOWLY TO THE SOUTH.

PERSONS IN BOSQUE COUNTY..ESPECIALLY THE WALNUT SPRINGS AREA SHOULD
BE ALERT TO THE POSSIBILITY OF VERY HEAVY RAIN STRONG GUSTY WINDS AND
SMALL HAIL AS THESE THUNDERSTORMS MOVE INTO THE AREA.

THESE THUNDERSTORMS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH A COLD FRONT THAT IS CURRENTLY
MOVING SOUTHEAST ACROSS CENTRAL TEXAS..THEREFORE THE THUNDERSTORMS
WILL LIKELY BE AFFECTING CENTRAL TEXAS FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR TO LOCAL RADIO AND TELEVISION
STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

The office that day

Everything else NWS Fort Worth, TX issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 11, 6:49 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFWDDallas41 min
Mar 11, 7:32 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFWDDallas58 min
Mar 11, 7:46 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFWDKaufman44 min
Mar 11, 7:57 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFWDJohnson, Somervell48 min
Mar 11, 8:17 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFWDEllis58 min
Mar 11, 8:27 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFWDDallas, Kaufman48 min
Mar 11, 8:37 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFWDJohnson68 min
Mar 11, 8:56 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFWDBosque, Hill64 min
Mar 11, 9:15 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFWDEllis60 min
Mar 11, 11:37 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFWDUpshur53 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Texas, 1988Every severe thunderstorm warning in 1988

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; verification from NCEI's Storm Data; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.