Wildfire and High Wind in Texas, April 6, 2006

Name: Wildfire and High Wind in Texas, April 6, 2006
Start: 2006-04-06T08:50
End: 2006-04-06T17:00
Location: Texas

April 6, 2006 · NWS LUB · 15 events in 14 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 15 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: 0
Property damage: $200,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 15

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 happened

The episode as NWS LUB wrote it up.

April 6 High Wind and Wilfire Event Summary: A vigorous storm system ejected eastward from the Rocky Mountains and resulted in widespread strong to severe winds and blowing dust over much of west Texas. The winds additionally contributed to yet another regional outbreak of destructive wildfires over portions of the drought-stricken states of New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. Severe winds were common over the South Plains region with minor damage reported. At least six wildfires ignited in the winds across the South Plains and the extreme southern Texas Panhandle. One fire became a significant wind-driven wildfire that destroyed a single family home in Lamb County. Total damages from wind and fire were estimated near $200,000. No injuries were reported.

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 Apr 6, 2:42 AM CST, 6 hours 8 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 6, 2:42 AM CST, 6 hours 8 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LUBBOCK TX
342 AM CDT THU APR 6 2006

.SHORT TERM...
UPPER LOW NEAR THE 4-CORNERS CONTINUES TO MOVE TO THE EAST WITH
PACIFIC COLD FRONT EXPECTED TO SWEEP THROUGH THE FORECAST AREA THIS
MORNING. EFFICIENT MIXING SHOULD OCCUR BEHIND THE FRONT WITH CLEAR
SKIES AND STRONG SUBSIDENCE EXPECTED. 700 MB JET MAX EJECTS SOUTH OF
OUR AREA...BUT BOTH THE NAM AND GFS INDICATE A SECONDARY MAXIMA OVER
THE SOUTH PLAINS AT MIDDAY. GRADIENT AND MAGNITUDE OF WINDS THAT
WILL GET MIXED DOWN SUGGEST SEVERE WIND GUSTS A DISTINCT
PROBABILITY...PARTICULARLY ON THE HIGHER TERRAIN OF THE WESTERN
SOUTH PLAINS. WILL LEAN TOWARD THE GFS WITH ITS SLIGHTLY HIGHER WIND
SPEED POTENTIAL GIVEN ITS BETTER INITIALIZATION OF MID AND UPPER
LEVEL WINDS OVER THE SWRN CONUS. WILL THUS UPGRADE THE HIGH WIND
WATCH TO A WARNING AND EXPAND THE INHERITED ADVISORY TO INCLUDE THE
SERN THREE COUNTIES AS WELL. DO NOT HAVE A GOOD FEEL FOR BLOWING
DUST POTENTIAL GIVEN RECENT RAINS...BEGINNING OF SOME VEGETATIVE
GROWTH AND THE STRONG COLD ADVECTION THAT IS NOT USUALLY FAVORABLE
FOR A SIGNIFICANT DUST EVENT. WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO SOME LOCAL
AREAS WITH DUST PROBLEMS...BUT AM NOT CONFIDENT ENOUGH IN WIDESPREAD
SUB-1 MILE VISIBILITY TO ISSUE A BLOWING DUST ADVISORY ATTM.

REMAINDER OF THE FCST IS IN GOOD SHAPE AS WELL. DOWNSLOPING WILL
SOMEWHAT OFFSET COLD ADVECTION...BUT THE COLD ADVECTION WILL STILL
BE STRONG ENOUGH TO KNOCK AROUND 10 DEGREES OR MORE OFF OF
YESTERDAYS HIGHS. WINDS WILL DROP OFF SOME NEAR SUNSET BUT WILL
LIKELY STAY UP IN THE 10 TO 20 MPH MOST OF THE NIGHT AS LOW LEVEL
GRADIENT STAYS TIGHT AND FULL DECOUPLING OF THE BOUNDARY LAYER LOOKS
UNLIKELY.

.LONG TERM...
TIGHTLY WOUND STORM SYSTEM CENTERED OVER EASTERN KANSAS 12Z FRI
PROGGED TO DROP SOUTH SOUTHEAST TWD ARK/LA/TEX DURING THE
DAY...THUS MAINTAINING A STRONG H85-70 GRADIENT ACROSS NORTHERN
WEST TEXAS. SHORTLY AFTER SUNRISE...DEEP MIXING WILL AGAIN
COMMENCE WITH NORTHWEST SFC WINDS INCREASING TO 25-30 MPH WITH
GUSTS AROUND 40 MPH OVER THE SOUTHERN PANHANDLE. ATTM...WINDSPEEDS
LOOK TO BE JUST BELOW ADVISORY CRITERIA LEVEL OVER THE SOUTHEAST
TX PANHANDLE...WITH BEST CHC OF RED FLAG WARNING CRITERIA OVER THE
SOUTHWEST CWFA DUE TO LOW RH/S. WILL LET LATER SHIFTS EVALUATE FOR
POSSIBLE WIND/FIRE WATCHES AND WARNINGS.

VERY NICE WEATHER ON TAP FOR THE WEEKEND AS H50 RIDGE BUILDS INTO
THE SOUTHERN PLAINS WITH TEMPS WARMING BACK TO ABOVE NORMAL ON
SUNDAY. MINOR WAVE TO TRANSLATE MAINLY NORTH OF THE AREA MONDAY
NIGHT INTO TUESDAY WILL BRING ANOTHER INCREASE IN HIGH CLOUDS.
AGREE WITH PREVIOUS SHIFT OF KEEPING POPS ONLY AT 10 PERCENT DUE
TO LACK OF MOISTURE.

STRONGER UPPER LEVEL SYSTEM STILL FORECAST TO DROP INTO THE DESERT
SOUTHWEST BY MID WEEK. AS THIS SYSTEM MOVES EAST...MAY SEE AN
INCREASE IN TSTM ACTIVITY BY LATE THURS OR FRIDAY.

.FIRE WEATHER...
EXPECT THAT RED FLAG CRITERIA SHOULD EASILY BE MET TODAY WITH
POTENTIAL FOR EXTREMELY CRITICAL CONDITIONS FOR RAPID FIRE GROWTH
GIVEN EXPECTED MAGNITUDE OF THE WINDS. ONLY CONCERN IS IF DEW POINTS
STAY ABOUT 5 DEGREES HIGHER THAN EXPECTED. HUMIDITY VALUES WOULD
THEN BE MARGINAL BUT THIS SITUATION WILL BE DRIVEN BY THE STRONG
WINDS REGARDLESS. RED FLAG WARNING WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
FRIONA        71  40  64  34 /   0   0   0   0
TULIA         72  42  65  35 /   0   0   0   0
PLAINVIEW     73  43  67  36 /   0   0   0   0
LEVELLAND     74  46  69  37 /   0   0   0   0
LUBBOCK       75  46  71  37 /   0   0   0   0
BROWNFIELD    77  46  73  38 /   0   0   0   0
CHILDRESS     81  49  71  39 /   0   0  10   0
SPUR          79  49  74  41 /   0   0  10   0
ASPERMONT     84  50  77  42 /   0   0  10   0

&&

.LUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
HIGH WIND WARNING FROM 11 AM THURSDAY TO 7 PM THURSDAY FOR THE
FOLLOWING ZONES: BAILEY...BRISCOE...CASTRO...COCHRAN...CROSBY...
FLOYD...HALE...HOCKLEY...LAMB...LUBBOCK...PARMER...AND SWISHER.

RED FLAG WARNING FROM 11 AM THURSDAY TO 9 PM THURSDAY FOR THE
FOLLOWING ZONES: BAILEY...BRISCOE...CASTRO...CHILDRESS...
COCHRAN...COTTLE...CROSBY...DICKENS...FLOYD...GARZA...HALE...
HALL...HOCKLEY...KENT...KING...LAMB...LUBBOCK...LYNN...MOTLEY...
PARMER...STONEWALL...SWISHER...TERRY...AND YOAKUM.

WIND ADVISORY FROM 11 AM THURSDAY TO 7 PM THURSDAY FOR THE
FOLLOWING ZONES: CHILDRESS...COTTLE...DICKENS...GARZA...HALL...
KENT...KING...LYNN...MOTLEY...STONEWALL...TERRY...AND YOAKUM.

&&

07/21

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 6, 4:30 AM CST, 4 hours 20 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LUBBOCK TX
530 AM CDT THU APR 6 2006

TXZ021>024-027>030-033>036-071030-
PARMER-CASTRO-SWISHER-BRISCOE-BAILEY-LAMB-HALE-FLOYD-COCHRAN-
HOCKLEY-LUBBOCK-CROSBY-
530 AM CDT THU APR 6 2006

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

FIRE WEATHER

WEST WINDS AT THE 20-FOOT LEVEL WILL INCREASE INTO THE 20 TO 30
MPH RANGE WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 50 MPH BY NOON TODAY. VERY DRY AIR
MOVING INTO THE AREA FROM THE WEST WILL LOWER RELATIVE HUMIDITIES
TO AROUND 10 PERCENT. A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT.

NON PRECIPITATION

WESTERLY SURFACE WINDS WILL INCREASE INTO THE 30 TO 40 MPH RANGE
BY NOON TODAY WITH GUSTS OF 60 MPH OR HIGHER POSSIBLE. A HIGH
WIND WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS ARE AGAIN POSSIBLE ON FRIDAY ACROSS THE
SOUTHWEST TEXAS PANHANDLE AND SOUTH PLAINS AND MAY REQUIRE A WIND
ADVISORY TO BE ISSUED.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
LOCAL OFFICIALS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL SHOULD REMAIN
ALERT FOR HIGH WINDS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER
TODAY. CONTINUE TO MONITOR FOR LATER UPDATES FROM THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN LUBBOCK.

TXZ025-026-031-032-037>044-071030-
HALL-CHILDRESS-MOTLEY-COTTLE-DICKENS-KING-YOAKUM-TERRY-LYNN-GARZA-
KENT-STONEWALL-
530 AM CDT THU APR 6 2006

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

FIRE WEATHER

WEST WINDS AT THE 20-FOOT LEVEL WILL INCREASE INTO THE 20 TO 30
MPH RANGE WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 50 MPH BY NOON TODAY. VERY DRY AIR
MOVING INTO THE AREA FROM THE WEST WILL LOWER RELATIVE
HUMIDITIES TO AROUND 10 PERCENT. A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT.

NON PRECIPITATION

WEST WINDS WILL INCREASE INTO THE 25 TO 35 MPH RANGE BY EARLY
AFTERNOON. WIND GUSTS OF 50 TO 55 MPH ARE POSSIBLE. A WIND
ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS ARE AGAIN POSSIBLE ON FRIDAY ACROSS THE
SOUTHEAST TEXAS PANHANDLE AND ROLLING PLAINS AND MAY REQUIRE A
WIND ADVISORY TO BE ISSUED.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

LOCAL OFFICIALS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL SHOULD REMAIN
ALERT FOR HIGH WINDS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER
TODAY. CONTINUE TO MONITOR FOR LATER UPDATES FROM THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN LUBBOCK.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

14 high wind, 1 wildfire. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Lynn

When: April 6, 8:50 AM CST to 3:15 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)

A vigorous storm system ejected eastward over the Rocky Mountains on the 6th and resulted in widespread strong to severe winds, blowing dust, and contributed to yet another outbreak of large wildfires over the Southern Plains of the U.S. Westerly gradient winds over the South Plains region of west Texas gusted as high as 66 MPH and caused minor damage that included downed power lines and light roof damage. Around 14:00 CDT, wind gusts caused a tractor-trailer to roll over while traveling along Interstate 27 near Abernathy (Hale County). The driver was able to walk away with no injuries. Numerous homes across the region lost shingles from roofs as a result of the winds, particularly in Lubbock. Neither significant structural damage nor injuries were reported. A list of severe wind gusts recorded by the Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet and area observing stations follows:Abernathy (Hale County).........58 MPHAmherst (Lamb County)..........59 MPHChildress (Childress County)...58 MPHDimmitt (Castro County).........62 MPHFloydada (Floyd County).........58 MPHFriona (Parmer County)..........65 MPHGraham (Garza County)..........66 MPHHart (Castro County)..............61MPHMemphis (Hall County)...........60 MPHMuleshoe (Bailey County).......61 MPHOlton (Lamb County)..............60 MPHPaducah (Cottle County).........58 MPHPlainview (Hale County)..........58 MPHPost (Garza County)..............62 MPHTahoka (Lynn County)............58 MPHTulia (Swisher County)...........60 MPHSilverton (Briscoe County)......64 MPHWolfforth (Lubbock County).....59MPH

High Wind, Bailey

When: April 6, 8:50 AM CST to 3:15 PM CST
Where: Bailey forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.069, -102.830 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong to severe westerly winds brought blowing dust and minor damage to the South Plains region of west Texas. The winds additioanally fanned raging wildfires. Winds over the South Plains region of west Texas gusted as high as 66 MPH. This downed power lines and caused light roof damage. Around 14:00 CST, severe wind gusts caused a tractor-trailer to roll over while traveling along Interstate 27 near Abernathy (Hale County). The driver was able to walked away with no injuries. Numerous homes across the region lost shingles from roofs, particularly in Lubbock. Neither significant structural damage nor injuries were reported. A list of severe wind gusts recorded by the Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet and area observing stations follows:Abernathy (Hale County).........58 MPHAmherst (Lamb County)..........59 MPHChildress (Childress County)...58 MPHDimmitt (Castro County).........62 MPHFloydada (Floyd County).........58 MPHFriona (Parmer County)...........65 MPHGraham (Garza County)..........66 MPHHart (Castro County)...............61MPHMemphis (Hall County)...........60 MPHMuleshoe (Bailey County).......61 MPHOlton (Lamb County)..............60 MPHPaducah (Cottle County)..........58 MPHPlainview (Hale County)..........58 MPHPost (Garza County)................62 MPHTahoka (Lynn County)............58 MPHTulia (Swisher County)...........60 MPHSilverton (Briscoe County)......64 MPHWolfforth (Lubbock County)....59MPH

High Wind, Briscoe

When: April 6, 8:50 AM CST to 3:15 PM CST
Where: Briscoe forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.530, -101.209 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong to severe westerly winds brought blowing dust and minor damage to the South Plains region of west Texas. The winds additioanally fanned raging wildfires. Winds over the South Plains region of west Texas gusted as high as 66 MPH. This downed power lines and caused light roof damage. Around 14:00 CST, severe wind gusts caused a tractor-trailer to roll over while traveling along Interstate 27 near Abernathy (Hale County). The driver walked away with no injuries. Numerous homes across the region lost shingles from roofs, particularly in Lubbock. Neither significant structural damage nor injuries were reported. A list of severe wind gusts recorded by the Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet and area observing stations follows:Abernathy (Hale County).........58 MPHAmherst (Lamb County)..........59 MPHChildress (Childress County)...58 MPHDimmitt (Castro County).........62 MPHFloydada (Floyd County).........58 MPHFriona (Parmer County)...........65 MPHGraham (Garza County)..........66 MPHHart (Castro County)...............61MPHMemphis (Hall County)...........60 MPHMuleshoe (Bailey County).......61 MPHOlton (Lamb County)..............60 MPHPaducah (Cottle County)..........58 MPHPlainview (Hale County)..........58 MPHPost (Garza County)................62 MPHTahoka (Lynn County)............58 MPHTulia (Swisher County)...........60 MPHSilverton (Briscoe County)......64 MPHWolfforth (Lubbock County)....59MPH

High Wind, Castro

When: April 6, 8:50 AM CST to 3:15 PM CST
Where: Castro forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.530, -102.262 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong to severe westerly winds brought blowing dust and minor damage to the South Plains region of west Texas. The winds additioanally fanned raging wildfires. Winds over the South Plains region of west Texas gusted as high as 66 MPH. This downed power lines and caused light roof damage. Around 14:00 CST, severe wind gusts caused a tractor-trailer to roll over while traveling along Interstate 27 near Abernathy (Hale County). The driver walked away with no injuries. Numerous homes across the region lost shingles from roofs, particularly in Lubbock. Neither significant structural damage nor injuries were reported. A list of severe wind gusts recorded by the Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet and area observing stations follows:Abernathy (Hale County).........58 MPHAmherst (Lamb County)..........59 MPHChildress (Childress County)...58 MPHDimmitt (Castro County).........62 MPHFloydada (Floyd County).........58 MPHFriona (Parmer County)...........65 MPHGraham (Garza County)..........66 MPHHart (Castro County)...............61MPHMemphis (Hall County)...........60 MPHMuleshoe (Bailey County).......61 MPHOlton (Lamb County)..............60 MPHPaducah (Cottle County)..........58 MPHPlainview (Hale County)..........58 MPHPost (Garza County)................62 MPHTahoka (Lynn County)............58 MPHTulia (Swisher County)...........60 MPHSilverton (Briscoe County)......64 MPHWolfforth (Lubbock County)....59MPH

High Wind, Childress

When: April 6, 8:50 AM CST to 3:15 PM CST
Where: Childress forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.529, -100.208 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong to severe westerly winds brought blowing dust and minor damage to the South Plains region of west Texas. The winds additioanally fanned raging wildfires. Winds over the South Plains region of west Texas gusted as high as 66 MPH. This downed power lines and caused light roof damage. Around 14:00 CST, severe wind gusts caused a tractor-trailer to roll over while traveling along Interstate 27 near Abernathy (Hale County). The driver walked away with no injuries. Numerous homes across the region lost shingles from roofs, particularly in Lubbock. Neither significant structural damage nor injuries were reported. A list of severe wind gusts recorded by the Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet and area observing stations follows:Abernathy (Hale County).........58 MPHAmherst (Lamb County)..........59 MPHChildress (Childress County)...58 MPHDimmitt (Castro County).........62 MPHFloydada (Floyd County).........58 MPHFriona (Parmer County)...........65 MPHGraham (Garza County)..........66 MPHHart (Castro County)...............61MPHMemphis (Hall County)...........60 MPHMuleshoe (Bailey County).......61 MPHOlton (Lamb County)..............60 MPHPaducah (Cottle County)..........58 MPHPlainview (Hale County)..........58 MPHPost (Garza County)................62 MPHTahoka (Lynn County)............58 MPHTulia (Swisher County)...........60 MPHSilverton (Briscoe County)......64 MPHWolfforth (Lubbock County)....59MPH

High Wind, Cottle

When: April 6, 8:50 AM CST to 3:15 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)

Strong to severe westerly winds brought blowing dust and minor damage to the South Plains region of west Texas. The winds additioanally fanned raging wildfires. Winds over the South Plains region of west Texas gusted as high as 66 MPH. This downed power lines and caused light roof damage. Around 14:00 CST, severe wind gusts caused a tractor-trailer to roll over while traveling along Interstate 27 near Abernathy (Hale County). The driver walked away with no injuries. Numerous homes across the region lost shingles from roofs, particularly in Lubbock. Neither significant structural damage nor injuries were reported. A list of severe wind gusts recorded by the Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet and area observing stations follows:Abernathy (Hale County).........58 MPHAmherst (Lamb County)..........59 MPHChildress (Childress County)...58 MPHDimmitt (Castro County).........62 MPHFloydada (Floyd County).........58 MPHFriona (Parmer County)...........65 MPHGraham (Garza County)..........66 MPHHart (Castro County)...............61MPHMemphis (Hall County)...........60 MPHMuleshoe (Bailey County).......61 MPHOlton (Lamb County)..............60 MPHPaducah (Cottle County)..........58 MPHPlainview (Hale County)..........58 MPHPost (Garza County)................62 MPHTahoka (Lynn County)............58 MPHTulia (Swisher County)...........60 MPHSilverton (Briscoe County)......64 MPHWolfforth (Lubbock County)....59MPH

High Wind, Floyd

When: April 6, 8:50 AM CST to 3:15 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)

Strong to severe westerly winds brought blowing dust and minor damage to the South Plains region of west Texas. The winds additioanally fanned raging wildfires. Winds over the South Plains region of west Texas gusted as high as 66 MPH. This downed power lines and caused light roof damage. Around 14:00 CST, severe wind gusts caused a tractor-trailer to roll over while traveling along Interstate 27 near Abernathy (Hale County). The driver walked away with no injuries. Numerous homes across the region lost shingles from roofs, particularly in Lubbock. Neither significant structural damage nor injuries were reported. A list of severe wind gusts recorded by the Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet and area observing stations follows:Abernathy (Hale County).........58 MPHAmherst (Lamb County)..........59 MPHChildress (Childress County)...58 MPHDimmitt (Castro County).........62 MPHFloydada (Floyd County).........58 MPHFriona (Parmer County)...........65 MPHGraham (Garza County)..........66 MPHHart (Castro County)...............61MPHMemphis (Hall County)...........60 MPHMuleshoe (Bailey County).......61 MPHOlton (Lamb County)..............60 MPHPaducah (Cottle County)..........58 MPHPlainview (Hale County)..........58 MPHPost (Garza County)................62 MPHTahoka (Lynn County)............58 MPHTulia (Swisher County)...........60 MPHSilverton (Briscoe County)......64 MPHWolfforth (Lubbock County)....59MPH

High Wind, Garza

When: April 6, 8:50 AM CST to 3:15 PM CST
Where: Garza forecast zone
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 33.180, -101.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong to severe westerly winds brought blowing dust and minor damage to the South Plains region of west Texas. The winds additioanally fanned raging wildfires. Winds over the South Plains region of west Texas gusted as high as 66 MPH. This downed power lines and caused light roof damage. Around 14:00 CST, severe wind gusts caused a tractor-trailer to roll over while traveling along Interstate 27 near Abernathy (Hale County). The driver walked away with no injuries. Numerous homes across the region lost shingles from roofs, particularly in Lubbock. Neither significant structural damage nor injuries were reported. A list of severe wind gusts recorded by the Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet and area observing stations follows:Abernathy (Hale County).........58 MPHAmherst (Lamb County)..........59 MPHChildress (Childress County)...58 MPHDimmitt (Castro County).........62 MPHFloydada (Floyd County).........58 MPHFriona (Parmer County)...........65 MPHGraham (Garza County)..........66 MPHHart (Castro County)...............61MPHMemphis (Hall County)...........60 MPHMuleshoe (Bailey County).......61 MPHOlton (Lamb County)..............60 MPHPaducah (Cottle County)..........58 MPHPlainview (Hale County)..........58 MPHPost (Garza County)................62 MPHTahoka (Lynn County)............58 MPHTulia (Swisher County)...........60 MPHSilverton (Briscoe County)......64 MPHWolfforth (Lubbock County)....59MPH

High Wind, Hale

When: April 6, 8:50 AM CST to 3:15 PM CST
Where: Hale forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.071, -101.827 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong to severe westerly winds brought blowing dust and minor damage to the South Plains region of west Texas. The winds additioanally fanned raging wildfires. Winds over the South Plains region of west Texas gusted as high as 66 MPH. This downed power lines and caused light roof damage. Around 14:00 CST, severe wind gusts caused a tractor-trailer to roll over while traveling along Interstate 27 near Abernathy (Hale County). The driver walked away with no injuries. Numerous homes across the region lost shingles from roofs, particularly in Lubbock. Neither significant structural damage nor injuries were reported. A list of severe wind gusts recorded by the Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet and area observing stations follows:Abernathy (Hale County).........58 MPHAmherst (Lamb County)..........59 MPHChildress (Childress County)...58 MPHDimmitt (Castro County).........62 MPHFloydada (Floyd County).........58 MPHFriona (Parmer County)...........65 MPHGraham (Garza County)..........66 MPHHart (Castro County)...............61MPHMemphis (Hall County)...........60 MPHMuleshoe (Bailey County).......61 MPHOlton (Lamb County)..............60 MPHPaducah (Cottle County)..........58 MPHPlainview (Hale County)..........58 MPHPost (Garza County)................62 MPHTahoka (Lynn County)............58 MPHTulia (Swisher County)...........60 MPHSilverton (Briscoe County)......64 MPHWolfforth (Lubbock County)....59MPH

High Wind, Hall

When: April 6, 8:50 AM CST to 3:15 PM CST
Where: Hall forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.531, -100.681 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong to severe westerly winds brought blowing dust and minor damage to the South Plains region of west Texas. The winds additioanally fanned raging wildfires. Winds over the South Plains region of west Texas gusted as high as 66 MPH. This downed power lines and caused light roof damage. Around 14:00 CST, severe wind gusts caused a tractor-trailer to roll over while traveling along Interstate 27 near Abernathy (Hale County). The driver walked away with no injuries. Numerous homes across the region lost shingles from roofs, particularly in Lubbock. Neither significant structural damage nor injuries were reported. A list of severe wind gusts recorded by the Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet and area observing stations follows:Abernathy (Hale County).........58 MPHAmherst (Lamb County)..........59 MPHChildress (Childress County)...58 MPHDimmitt (Castro County).........62 MPHFloydada (Floyd County).........58 MPHFriona (Parmer County)...........65 MPHGraham (Garza County)..........66 MPHHart (Castro County)...............61MPHMemphis (Hall County)...........60 MPHMuleshoe (Bailey County).......61 MPHOlton (Lamb County)..............60 MPHPaducah (Cottle County)..........58 MPHPlainview (Hale County)..........58 MPHPost (Garza County)................62 MPHTahoka (Lynn County)............58 MPHTulia (Swisher County)...........60 MPHSilverton (Briscoe County)......64 MPHWolfforth (Lubbock County)....59MPH

High Wind, Lamb

When: April 6, 8:50 AM CST to 3:15 PM CST
Where: Lamb forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.069, -102.352 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong to severe westerly winds brought blowing dust and minor damage to the South Plains region of west Texas. The winds additioanally fanned raging wildfires. Winds over the South Plains region of west Texas gusted as high as 66 MPH. This downed power lines and caused light roof damage. Around 14:00 CST, severe wind gusts caused a tractor-trailer to roll over while traveling along Interstate 27 near Abernathy (Hale County). The driver walked away with no injuries. Numerous homes across the region lost shingles from roofs, particularly in Lubbock. Neither significant structural damage nor injuries were reported. A list of severe wind gusts recorded by the Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet and area observing stations follows:Abernathy (Hale County).........58 MPHAmherst (Lamb County)..........59 MPHChildress (Childress County)...58 MPHDimmitt (Castro County).........62 MPHFloydada (Floyd County).........58 MPHFriona (Parmer County)...........65 MPHGraham (Garza County)..........66 MPHHart (Castro County)...............61MPHMemphis (Hall County)...........60 MPHMuleshoe (Bailey County).......61 MPHOlton (Lamb County)..............60 MPHPaducah (Cottle County)..........58 MPHPlainview (Hale County)..........58 MPHPost (Garza County)................62 MPHTahoka (Lynn County)............58 MPHTulia (Swisher County)...........60 MPHSilverton (Briscoe County)......64 MPHWolfforth (Lubbock County)....59MPH

High Wind, Lubbock

When: April 6, 8:50 AM CST to 3:15 PM CST
Where: Lubbock forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 33.610, -101.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong to severe westerly winds brought blowing dust and minor damage to the South Plains region of west Texas. The winds additioanally fanned raging wildfires. Winds over the South Plains region of west Texas gusted as high as 66 MPH. This downed power lines and caused light roof damage. Around 14:00 CST, severe wind gusts caused a tractor-trailer to roll over while traveling along Interstate 27 near Abernathy (Hale County). The driver walked away with no injuries. Numerous homes across the region lost shingles from roofs, particularly in Lubbock. Neither significant structural damage nor injuries were reported. A list of severe wind gusts recorded by the Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet and area observing stations follows:Abernathy (Hale County).........58 MPHAmherst (Lamb County)..........59 MPHChildress (Childress County)...58 MPHDimmitt (Castro County).........62 MPHFloydada (Floyd County).........58 MPHFriona (Parmer County)...........65 MPHGraham (Garza County)..........66 MPHHart (Castro County)...............61MPHMemphis (Hall County)...........60 MPHMuleshoe (Bailey County).......61 MPHOlton (Lamb County)..............60 MPHPaducah (Cottle County)..........58 MPHPlainview (Hale County)..........58 MPHPost (Garza County)................62 MPHTahoka (Lynn County)............58 MPHTulia (Swisher County)...........60 MPHSilverton (Briscoe County)......64 MPHWolfforth (Lubbock County)....59MPH

High Wind, Parmer

When: April 6, 8:50 AM CST to 3:15 PM CST
Where: Parmer forecast zone
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.530, -102.784 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong to severe westerly winds brought blowing dust and minor damage to the South Plains region of west Texas. The winds additioanally fanned raging wildfires. Winds over the South Plains region of west Texas gusted as high as 66 MPH. This downed power lines and caused light roof damage. Around 14:00 CST, severe wind gusts caused a tractor-trailer to roll over while traveling along Interstate 27 near Abernathy (Hale County). The driver walked away with no injuries. Numerous homes across the region lost shingles from roofs, particularly in Lubbock. Neither significant structural damage nor injuries were reported. A list of severe wind gusts recorded by the Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet and area observing stations follows:Abernathy (Hale County).........58 MPHAmherst (Lamb County)..........59 MPHChildress (Childress County)...58 MPHDimmitt (Castro County).........62 MPHFloydada (Floyd County).........58 MPHFriona (Parmer County)...........65 MPHGraham (Garza County)..........66 MPHHart (Castro County)...............61MPHMemphis (Hall County)...........60 MPHMuleshoe (Bailey County).......61 MPHOlton (Lamb County)..............60 MPHPaducah (Cottle County)..........58 MPHPlainview (Hale County)..........58 MPHPost (Garza County)................62 MPHTahoka (Lynn County)............58 MPHTulia (Swisher County)...........60 MPHSilverton (Briscoe County)......64 MPHWolfforth (Lubbock County)....59MPH

High Wind, Swisher

When: April 6, 8:50 AM CST to 3:15 PM CST
Where: Swisher forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 34.530, -101.735 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong to severe westerly winds brought blowing dust and minor damage to the South Plains region of west Texas. The winds additioanally fanned raging wildfires. Winds over the South Plains region of west Texas gusted as high as 66 MPH. This downed power lines and caused light roof damage. Around 14:00 CST, severe wind gusts caused a tractor-trailer to roll over while traveling along Interstate 27 near Abernathy (Hale County). The driver walked away with no injuries. Numerous homes across the region lost shingles from roofs, particularly in Lubbock. Neither significant structural damage nor injuries were reported. A list of severe wind gusts recorded by the Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet and area observing stations follows:Abernathy (Hale County).........58 MPHAmherst (Lamb County)..........59 MPHChildress (Childress County)...58 MPHDimmitt (Castro County).........62 MPHFloydada (Floyd County).........58 MPHFriona (Parmer County)...........65 MPHGraham (Garza County)..........66 MPHHart (Castro County)...............61MPHMemphis (Hall County)...........60 MPHMuleshoe (Bailey County).......61 MPHOlton (Lamb County)..............60 MPHPaducah (Cottle County)..........58 MPHPlainview (Hale County)..........58 MPHPost (Garza County)................62 MPHTahoka (Lynn County)............58 MPHTulia (Swisher County)...........60 MPHSilverton (Briscoe County)......64 MPHWolfforth (Lubbock County)....59MPH

Wildfire, Lamb

When: April 6, 1:30 PM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Lamb forecast zone
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates: 34.069, -102.352 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Damaging winds downed lines at a utility company sub-station west of Earth in northwestern Lamb County during the early afternoon hours. By 13:30 CST, the downed lines had sparked a dangerous wind driven wildfire that raged through several hundred acres of grasslands. Local authorities were forced to close a portion of Farm to Market Road 303 near Earth due to the fire and reduced visibilities from smoke. One home was destroyed in the blaze. No injuries were reported.

What these are

High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Wildfire: A fire burning in wildland vegetation, with its acreage and damage where known.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Texas in 2006 Every state in 2006 This day in weather history Warnings in Texas, April 2006

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: 5496851, 5496921, 5496922, 5497013, 5497014, 5497085, 5497086, 5497157, 5497158, 5497273, 5497274, 5497360, 5497361, 5497427, 5496852.