High Wind in Texas, February 19, 2004

Name: High Wind in Texas, February 19, 2004
Start: 2004-02-19T12:00
End: 2004-02-19T18:00
Location: Texas

February 19, 2004 · NWS LUB · 20 events in 20 counties and zones

20 high wind, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 20 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 1
Property damage: $50,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 20

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Lubbock, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 19, 11:21 AM CST, 39 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 19, 11:21 AM CST, 39 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LUBBOCK TX
1121 AM CST THU FEB 19 2004

.UPDATE...
ONGOING HIGH WIND WARNING FOR SOUTH PLAINS LOOKS ON TRACK AS WELL AS
WIND ADVISORY OFF THE CAPROCK. LATEST SATELLITE IMAGERY SHOWS DUST
BEING BLOWN ACROSS NM FROM WHITE SANDS TO ROSWELL. CLOVIS RADAR
ALSO SHOWING LEADING EDGE OF DUST BEGINNING TO ENTER PARMER AND
BAILEY COUNTIES. WINDS RESPONSIBLE FOR DUST PICKING UP RAPIDLY IN
WAKE OF NARROW CLOUD BAND NOW CROSSING CWA. CLOUDS LIKELY TO SLOW
WINDS SOME ACROSS ERN ZNS BUT EXPECT WINDS TO PICK UP DRAMATICALLY AS
MIXING IS INCREASED FM W-E NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS VCNTY LBB. LOCAL VAD
WIND AND AREA PROFILERS SUPPORTING CURRENT WIND FCSTS. IN ADDITION...
SFC ANLYS SHOWS PRESS FALLS ACROSS NRN PNHDL WHERE DEEPENING SFC LOW
WILL HELP TIGHTEN SFC GRADIENT FURTHER SUPPORTING STRONG WINDS ALOFT
TO THE GROUND. MODELS CONSISTENT IN MAINTAINING GRADIENT THROUGH 00Z
SO WINDS SHOULD REMAIN STRONG THROUGH AFTN BEFORE TURNING MORE NW AND
LIGHTENING UP EARLY THIS EVE IN WAKE OF PAC FNT.

&&

.LUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
HIGH WIND WARNING TODAY TXZ021>024-027>030-033>036-039>041.
WIND ADVISORY TODAY TXZ025-026-031-032-037-038-042>044.
RED FLAG WARNING TODAY TXZ021>044.

&&

24

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 19, 6:00 AM CST, 6 hours before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LUBBOCK TX
600 AM CST THU FEB 19 2004

REMOVED EXTRA DAY ONE SECTION HEADERS

TXZ021>044-201200-
BAILEY-BRISCOE-CASTRO-CHILDRESS-COCHRAN-COTTLE-CROSBY-DICKENS-FLOYD-
GARZA-HALE-HALL-HOCKLEY-KENT-KING-LAMB-LUBBOCK-LYNN-MOTLEY-PARMER-
STONEWALL-SWISHER-TERRY-YOAKUM-
600 AM CST THU FEB 19 2004

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE EXTREME SOUTHERN PANHANDLE
AND SOUTH PLAINS.

.DAY ONE...

NON PRECIPITATION

VERY WINDY CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN
PANHANDLE AND SOUTH PLAINS TODAY. SOUTHWEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO
INCREASE TO 35 TO 45 MPH THIS AFTERNOON WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 60 MPH
POSSIBLE. WIDESPREAD BLOWING DUST WILL ACCOMPANY THE STRONG WINDS
AND MAY REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO LESS THAN 1/2 MILE IN PLACES. FOR
FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE REFER TO THE HIGH WIND WARNING PRODUCT ISSUED
BY THIS OFFICE AT 400 AM.

NON PRECIPITATION

WINDY CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE EXTREME SOUTHEAST PANHANDLE
AND ROLLING PLAINS TODAY. SOUTHWEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE
TO 30 TO 40 MPH THIS AFTERNOON WITH GUSTS OF 50 TO 55 MPH POSSIBLE.
AREAS OF BLOWING DUST WILL ACCOMPANY THE STRONG WINDS. FOR FURTHER
DETAILS PLEASE REFER TO THE WIND ADVISORY PRODUCT ISSUED BY THIS
OFFICE AT 400 AM.

FIRE WEATHER

WINDY TO VERY WINDY CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP BY LATE
MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON ACROSS THE SOUTHERN TEXAS PANHANDLE...THE
SOUTH PLAINS...AND THE LOW ROLLING PLAINS AS A STRONG UPPER LEVEL
STORM SYSTEM PASSES NORTH OF THE FORECAST AREA. SUSTAINED 20-FOOT
WINDS FROM 30 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS NEAR 55 MPH ARE EXPECTED ALONG
WITH MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES OF 10 TO 15 PERCENT. FOR
FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE REFER TO THE RED FLAG WARNING PRODUCT ISSUED
BY THIS OFFICE AT 400 AM.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

02

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

20 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Parmer

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Parmer forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.530, -102.784 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A strong upper level storm moved into the Southern Plains resulting in a very strong pressure gradient over West Texas. Westerly winds increased to 40 to 50 mph sustained with gusts measured to 63 mph during the high wind event. A tractor trailer was overturned by the wind near Tulia resulting in one (direct) injury. Minor wind damage was reported across the South Plains including power lines blown down, power poles blown down, minor damage to homes, and trees blown down.Blowing dust reduced the visibility to near zero at times on the Caprock. This blindingly low visibility contributed to several multiple car accidents. The worst car accident occurred about six miles northwest of Post on U.S. Highway 84 in Garza County and involved 25 vehicles. Two (indirect) fatalities resulted from this accident along with twelve (indirect) injuries. A four car accident occurred on U.S. Highway 87 and Woodrow Road in southern Lubbock County and a five car accident occurred on Interstate 27 eight miles north of Abernathy in Hale County.The Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet stations recorded the following high wind reports during the event: 63 mph wind gust 3 miles north of Plains in Yoakum County; 62 mph wind gust 1 mile northeast of Morton in Cochran County and 4 miles south of Levelland in Hockley County; 61 mph wind gust 7 miles east of Silverton in Briscoe County, 2 miles northeast of Dimmitt in Castro County, 2 miles northeast of Tulia in Swisher County, and 1 mile south of Plainview in Hale County; 60 mph wind gust 2 miles south of Brownfield in Terry County and 6 miles northwest of White River Lake in Crosby County; 59 mph wind gust 3 miles north of Roaring Springs in Motley County, 1 mile northeast of Amherst in Lamb County, 8 miles southwest of Sundown in Cochran County, 5 miles northeast of Abernathy in Hale County, 2 miles northeast of Muleshoe in Bailey County, 6 miles south of Olton in Lamb County, 1 mile south of Ralls in Crosby County, and 1 mile south of Post in Garza County; 58 mph wind gust 2 miles northeast of Slaton in Lubbock County, 6 miles south of Anton in Hockley County, 5 miles southwest of Graham in Garza County, 2 miles northeast of Friona in Parmer County, 3 miles north of Hart in Castro County, and 10 miles southwest of Paducah in Cottle County.

High Wind, Bailey

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Bailey forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.069, -102.830 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Briscoe

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Briscoe forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.530, -101.209 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Castro

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Castro forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.530, -102.262 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Childress

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Childress forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) measured sustained
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.529, -100.208 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Cochran

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Cochran forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 33.604, -102.828 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Cottle

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Cottle forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.078, -100.279 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Crosby

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Crosby forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 33.615, -101.300 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Floyd

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Floyd forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.072, -101.303 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Garza

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Garza forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 33.180, -101.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Hale

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Hale forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.071, -101.827 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Hall

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Hall forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) measured sustained
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.531, -100.681 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Hockley

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Hockley forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 33.608, -102.343 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Lamb

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Lamb forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.069, -102.352 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Lubbock

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Lubbock forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 33.610, -101.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Lynn

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Lynn forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 33.177, -101.816 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Motley

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Motley forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.074, -100.780 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Swisher

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Swisher forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.530, -101.735 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Terry

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Terry forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 33.174, -102.335 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Yoakum

When: February 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Yoakum forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 33.173, -102.828 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Texas in 2004 Every state in 2004 This day in weather history Warnings in Texas, February 2004

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5388210, 5388211, 5388212, 5388213, 5388214, 5388215, 5388216, 5388217, 5388218, 5388219, 5388220, 5388221, 5388222, 5388223, 5388302, 5388303, 5388304, 5388305, 5388306, 5388307.