Damaging Wind in Texas, May 30, 1996

An HP Supercell approached Fort Stockton with the meso-cyclone staying north of town but the apex of a bow echo, on the south side of the circulation, aiming eastward along I-10. The ASOS at the Pecos County Airport in Fort Stockton was struck by outflow winds from the bow echo. The observations were very interesting starting with 2205 UTC ob that reported a temperature of 90 degrees with 1 mile visibility due to blowing dust, and the winds from the southwest at 40 gusting to 57 kt. By 2212 UTC the temperature had dropped to 69 degrees the wind was from the northwest at 50 gusting to 65 kt, and the visibility <1/4 mile in heavy rain. By the 2219 UTC observation the temperature had dropped to 63 degrees, the wind was from the northwest at 37 gusting to 73 kt. (The 73 knot wind gust was recorded at 2313 UTC.)Damage was reported across the north side of Fort Stockton. Three hangars were damaged at the airport, 20 pine tree were blown over at the golf course, windshields were blown out in the Civic Center parking lot, shingles were peeled up on roofs, and windows broken out at homes and a few businesses. Power was knocked out for up to 2 1/2 hours in some parts of town. Another anemometer at the airport recorded an 87 mph gust.