Severe Thunderstorm Warning 177, NWS Lubbock, TX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lubbock TX
317 PM CDT Fri Jun 30 2017

.DISCUSSION...
After the widespread triple digits yesterday, a convectively aided
cold front that moved into the area this morning has helped to keep
the South Plains and southern Texas Panhandle in the 80s and 90s
this afternoon. The boundary has struggled to make it into the
Rolling Plains and they continue to suffer with another round of
temperatures AOA 100 degrees. Dewpoints were holding in the 60s
across the eastern Rolling Plains with some 70s not that far east of
the CWA. The combination of the heat and humidity along with steep
mid-level lapse rates was generating robust instability with 19Z SPC
MLCAPE of 2000-3000 J/kg over the far southeast zones, peaking at
4000+ J/kg over western North Texas. A cumulus field was now
beginning to form over this general area, though it may take another
couple hours or so until the CIN can be overcome and isolated to
scattered deep moist convection can form. Most short-range high-
resolution guidance suggest storms will form in the 21-23Z time-frame
over parts of the Rolling Plains. The strong instability, modest
deep layer shear (20-30 knots), and hot and deeply mixed BL will
favor robust updrafts and downdrafts with large hail (to around
golf ball size) and damaging downburst winds possible. Additionally,
slow storm motions and PWATS of 1.2+ inches will support locally
heavy rainfall. A secondary surge to the currently nearly stationary
front, outflows from initial convection, and higher terrain
storms in eastern NM moving east will all provide better storm
chances for much of the remainder of the CWA late this evening
into the overnight hours as a strengthening southerly LLJ feeds
into the region, though the details remain uncertain. We did
insert a severe mention across the Rolling Plains late this
afternoon and over all but the southwestern South Plains this
evening.

Saturday should start cloudy, though a gradual return to sun is
expected during the afternoon as the front begins to lift back
northward as a warm front. This front may provide a minimal thunder
chance through the day, though CI is more certain over the higher
terrain of eastern NM. Highs will range from the 80s northwest to
lower and middle 90s south and southeast. There is a good bet the NM
convection will congeal into a MCS or two and roll eastward, though
its latitude is less certain (probably favoring the Panhandle and
perhaps northern South Plains).

Outside of any residual convective outflows, it appears the
remnant front should be well north of the area by Sunday
afternoon. However a weak monsoonal fetch of moisture along with
a surface trough will bring a risk of isolated to scattered late
day storms from eastern NM into the western Panhandles and western
South Plains. Highs will recover well into the 90s Sunday with a
few triple digits possible over the lowest elevations.

Moving into next week an upper ridge is progged to amplify across
the Intermountain West leaving the South Plains region in some form
of northerly to northeasterly flow aloft. This pattern is generally
not very favorable for rain here, but medium range NWP suggest we
may be under some form of a weakness aloft with one or more
disturbances moving overhead. Thus, the week could be somewhat
unsettled and we have included low thunder chances through much of
the week. Highs through the period will be mostly in the 90s with
lows in the 60s and 70s.

&&

.LUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&

23

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lubbock TX
311 PM CDT Fri Jun 30 2017

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Parmer-Castro-Swisher-Briscoe-Hall-Childress-Bailey-Lamb-Hale-
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311 PM CDT Fri Jun 30 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the South Plains...Rolling
Plains and the far Southern Texas Panhandle.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight
Isolated to scattered multicell severe thunderstorms are possible
late this afternoon and evening generally from the southern Texas
Panhandle south into the Rolling Plains. The main severe risks
will be gusty outflow winds to 70 mph and hail up to golf balls.
A few storms could develop in the evening toward midnight back
farther west toward the central South Plains including the Lubbock
area.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday
A continued risk of strong to severe thunderstorms will exist
through this weekend.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Limited spotter activation may be requested late this afternoon
into this evening, most likely from the southeastern Panhandle
into the Rolling Plains.