Hail, Brewster
- When
- April 29, 5:05 PM CST to 5:10 PM CST
- Where
- Brewster County, Marathon
- Measured
- 1.75 in hail
- Reported by
- Social Media
- Coordinates
- 30.200, -103.250
Hail in Texas, April 29, 2018
An upper trough was approaching the region, and a surface trough had developed across West Texas and southeast New Mexico. Unstable conditions across the area had resulted from the air heating up at the surface.
Where it happened
Every event with a place to put it. 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
The toll
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 4
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 MAF wrote it up.
An upper trough was approaching the region, and a surface trough had developed across West Texas and southeast New Mexico. Unstable conditions across the area had resulted from the air heating up at the surface. These conditions contributed to thunderstorms with large hail developing in Brewster County.
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 Midland/Odessa, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 29, 2:08 PM CST, 2 hours 57 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 29, 2:08 PM CST, 2 hours 57 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
308 PM CDT Sun Apr 29 2018
.DISCUSSION...
Radar is showing a few storms developing in the higher terrain
west of the Pecos River this afternoon. There appears to be a
slight cap still in place so it will take a little more heating to
see more convection develop this afternoon. Shear and instability
are marginal, so while a severe storm cannot be ruled out,
coverage will not be enough to place +TS in the grids today.
A developing upper level low over the western U.S. will
increasingly back flow from the southwest over the next several
days and push very dry air to the TX/NM line. This dry air will
clash with surging dewpoints to the east creating a dryline that
will serve as a surface focus for convection. Higher dewpoints
tomorrow will increase CAPE to near 2KJ/Kg and 0-6km shear near
40kts are favorable for possible severe storms. See the SWODY2
from SPC for more information.
The GFS is showing a favorable positioning of the right entrance
region of the upper jet creating the lift needed for more
widespread rainfall late Wednesday and it is this time period that
has the highest PoPs in the forecast. However the other models
are not so bullish on precip and it would not be surprising to
see rain chances lowered over the next 48 hours.
Temperatures steadily warm this week peaking on Tuesday and
Wednesday before a cold front brings cooler weather on Thursday.
Easterly winds behind the front will advect moisture west next
weekend giving areas to our west another chance for rainfall.
Hennig
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Currently have elevated fire weather condition across portions of
West Texas and Southeast New Mexico this afternoon. Even though
relative humidity remains above critical thresholds (above 30
percent), southeast winds have increased to near 20-25mph sustained.
Given cured fuels, lightning from area thunderstorms this afternoon
could also result in new fire starts through this evening. Fire
weather concerns will increase and expand east Monday to include
Southeast New Mexico, Guadalupe Mountains and portions of the Upper
Trans Pecos as the dryline mixes farther east with increased west
winds. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for these areas for Monday
afternoon. Dry air pushes east again Tuesday and Wednesday with
areawide critical fire weather expected. A Fire Weather Watch and
eventual Red Flag Warning will likely be needed for at least
Tuesday.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Big Spring 63 83 65 90 / 10 20 30 10
Carlsbad 56 89 55 87 / 10 0 0 0
Dryden 62 88 65 94 / 30 20 10 0
Fort Stockton 58 89 60 92 / 30 20 10 0
Guadalupe Pass 56 77 55 76 / 10 0 0 0
Hobbs 56 87 56 87 / 30 10 10 0
Marfa 51 82 47 83 / 20 10 0 0
Midland Intl Airport 62 85 64 93 / 20 20 20 0
Odessa 61 86 63 93 / 30 20 20 0
Wink 59 92 58 94 / 30 10 10 0
&&
.MAF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NM...Red Flag Warning from noon to 7 PM MDT Monday for Guadalupe
Mountains-Southeast Plains.
TX...Red Flag Warning from 1 PM CDT /noon MDT/ to 8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/
Monday for Guadalupe Mountains-Reeves County and Upper
Trans Pecos-Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor.
&&
27/10Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 29, 1:21 PM CST, 3 hours 44 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 221 PM CDT Sun Apr 29 2018 NMZ027>029-033-034-TXZ045>048-050>053-057>063-067>070-074-075- 079>082-258-301930- Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County-Eddy County Plains- Northern Lea County-Central Lea County-Southern Lea County-Gaines- Dawson-Borden-Scurry-Andrews-Martin-Howard-Mitchell- Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor-Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos- Loving-Winkler-Ector-Midland-Glasscock-Ward-Crane-Upton-Reagan- Davis/Apache Mountains Area-Pecos-Presidio Valley-Marfa Plateau- Big Bend Area-Terrell-Guadalupe Mountains- 221 PM CDT Sun Apr 29 2018 /121 PM MDT Sun Apr 29 2018/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast New Mexico, southwest Texas, and western Texas. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Elevated fire weather conditions will continue across the region through this evening, due to very breezy conditions and dry vegetation. Thunderstorms will be possible through this evening, mainly across Southeast New Mexico and south through the Davis Mountains and Big Bend regions. Some storms may be strong to severe, with large hail and damaging winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday Thunderstorms will be possible again Monday afternoon and evening, over the Western Low Rolling Plains, Permian Basin, and lower Trans Pecos. Some storms may be strong to severe, with large hail and damaging winds. Critical fire weather conditions are expected Monday afternoon across Southeast New Mexico, Guadalupe Mountains and Upper Trans Pecos as west winds increase and dry air pushes east. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for these areas Monday. Fire weather concerns increase and expand east to include most of the region Tuesday and maybe even Wednesday as dry air pushes even farther east. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed through Sunday evening however chances are low at this time. This product, along with other watches, warnings, advisories, and statements issued by the National Weather Service Office in Midland, can be found on the internet at... http://weather.gov/midland
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Apr 29, 1:17 PM CST, 3 hours 48 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 217 PM CDT SUN APR 29 2018 TXZ058-074-075-291945- Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos-Pecos-Davis/Apache Mountains Area- 217 PM CDT SUN APR 29 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WESTERN PECOS...SOUTH CENTRAL REEVES AND EASTERN JEFF DAVIS COUNTIES... At 215 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 12 miles southeast of Balmorhea Lake, or 26 miles northeast of Fort Davis, moving northeast at 15 mph. Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail are possible with this storm. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos...western Pecos and northeastern Davis/Apache Mountains Area Counties. This includes Interstate 10 between mile markers 223 and 229. LAT...LON 3075 10364 3089 10371 3100 10339 3076 10331 TIME...MOT...LOC 1915Z 245DEG 14KT 3084 10356 24
Special weather statement, Apr 29, 1:50 PM CST, 3 hours 15 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 250 PM CDT SUN APR 29 2018 TXZ058-074-075-292015- Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos-Pecos-Davis/Apache Mountains Area- 250 PM CDT SUN APR 29 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WEST CENTRAL PECOS...SOUTH CENTRAL REEVES AND EAST CENTRAL JEFF DAVIS COUNTIES... At 248 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 13 miles southeast of Balmorhea Lake, or 23 miles northeast of Fort Davis, moving east at 20 mph. Wind gusts up to 50 mph, nickel size hail, and locally heavy rainfall are possible with this storm. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos...west central Pecos and northeastern Davis/Apache Mountains Area Counties. LAT...LON 3073 10365 3088 10369 3093 10337 3068 10328 TIME...MOT...LOC 1948Z 262DEG 17KT 3081 10359 24
Special weather statement, Apr 29, 2:58 PM CST, 2 hours 7 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 358 PM CDT SUN APR 29 2018 TXZ074-075-292130- Pecos-Davis/Apache Mountains Area- 358 PM CDT SUN APR 29 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WEST CENTRAL PECOS...NORTH CENTRAL BREWSTER AND EAST CENTRAL JEFF DAVIS COUNTIES... At 356 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 20 miles northeast of Alpine, or 5 miles west of Hovey moving east at 15 mph. Wind gusts up to 50 mph, nickel size hail, and locally heavy rainfall are possible with this storm. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of west central Pecos and southeastern Davis/Apache Mountains Area Counties. LAT...LON 3053 10352 3066 10354 3076 10317 3051 10313 TIME...MOT...LOC 2056Z 257DEG 15KT 3059 10344 24
Special weather statement, Apr 29, 4:02 PM CST, 1 hour 3 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 502 PM CDT SUN APR 29 2018 TXZ074-075-081-292245- Pecos TX-Big Bend Area TX-Davis/Apache Mountains Area TX- 502 PM CDT SUN APR 29 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL PECOS AND NORTHWESTERN BREWSTER COUNTIES UNTIL 545 PM CDT... At 501 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms 13 miles east of Alpine, moving east at 15 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these storms. Locations impacted include... Marathon. LAT...LON 3038 10361 3064 10337 3042 10297 3013 10326 TIME...MOT...LOC 2201Z 291DEG 18KT 3038 10343 24
Special weather statement, Apr 29, 4:17 PM CST, 48 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 517 PM CDT SUN APR 29 2018 TXZ058-059-292300- Loving TX-Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos TX- 517 PM CDT SUN APR 29 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN REEVES... NORTHEASTERN CULBERSON AND NORTHWESTERN LOVING COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM CDT... At 516 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong thunderstorms 7 miles southwest of Red Bluff Reservoir, or 27 miles northwest of Mentone, moving east at 15 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these storms. Locations impacted include... Red Bluff Reservoir, Orla and Red Bluff. LAT...LON 3155 10419 3197 10414 3196 10371 3145 10382 TIME...MOT...LOC 2216Z 280DEG 12KT 3187 10403 24
Special weather statement, Apr 29, 4:18 PM CST, 47 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 518 PM CDT SUN APR 29 2018 TXZ074-292300- Davis/Apache Mountains Area TX- 518 PM CDT SUN APR 29 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN JEFF DAVIS COUNTY UNTIL 600 PM CDT... At 516 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near McDonald Observatory, or 7 miles west of Fort Davis, moving northeast at 15 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... McDonald Observatory, areas north of Davis Mountains State Park, Black Mountain, Star Mountain, Buffalo Trail Scout Camp, Indian Lodge and Fort Davis National Historical Site. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until this storm passes. && LAT...LON 3045 10395 3065 10409 3091 10389 3064 10361 TIME...MOT...LOC 2216Z 208DEG 11KT 3061 10402 49
The radar
The Midland/Odessa radar (KMAF), 219 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:05 UTC.
Event by event
4 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Hail, Brewster
- When
- April 29, 5:55 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
- Where
- Brewster County, Marathon
- Measured
- 1 in hail
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 30.200, -103.250
Hail, Brewster
- When
- April 29, 6:35 PM CST to 6:40 PM CST
- Where
- Brewster County, 1 mi NE of Alpine
- Measured
- 1.5 in hail
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 30.380, -103.658
Hail, Brewster
- When
- April 29, 6:45 PM CST to 6:50 PM CST
- Where
- Brewster County, 2 mi NNE of Alpine
- Measured
- 1.75 in hail
- Reported by
- Social Media
- Coordinates
- 30.397, -103.657
What these are
- Hail
- Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Dust Storm and High Wind in Nebraska, April 29, 2018
- Wildfire in Wisconsin, April 29, 2018
- High Wind in California, April 29, 2018
- Hail and Damaging Winds in New Mexico, April 29, 2018
- Hail and Damaging Wind in Montana, April 29, 2018
- Frost and Freeze in Virginia, April 29, 2018
- Hail and High Wind in Texas, April 29, 2018
- Hail in Kansas, April 29, 2018
- Hail and Damaging Wind in Kansas, April 29, 2018
- Flooding in South Dakota, April 29 to 30, 2018
- Hail and Damaging Wind in Texas, April 29, 2018
- Flash Flood and Damaging Winds in Montana, April 29, 2018
More
Every storm in Texas in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, April 2018
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: 742868, 742869, 742870, 742871.