A strong upper level trough generated scattered to numerous thunderstorms across North and Central Texas on Saturday April 13. Storms were mainly hail producers early in the day, but damaging winds and a few tornadoes occurred across the southern counties in the vicinity of a stationary front in the late morning and afternoon hours.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS FWD wrote it up.
A strong upper level trough generated scattered to numerous thunderstorms across North and Central Texas on Saturday April 13. Storms were mainly hail producers early in the day, but damaging winds and a few tornadoes occurred across the southern counties in the vicinity of a stationary front in the late morning and afternoon hours.
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 Fort Worth, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 12, 6:35 PM CST, 3 hours 26 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Fort Worth TX 735 PM CDT Fri Apr 12 2019 .AVIATION... /00z TAFs/ Concerns and challenges: Timing the arrival of both showers and some strong to possible severe storms between 06z-18z Saturday, and MVFR-IFR cigs, and gradual lifting by 00z Sunday. Isolated-scattered, warm advection-induced elevated showers and storms are now developing both southeast and well west of all airports early this evening. Some of this activity is expected to potentially impact airports between 03z-06z, though current VCSH advertised by previous TAF set with cigs lowering into lower VFR was reasonable and kept this trend. Timing more expansive large- scale ascent and arrival of more widespread storms is a little more problematic. With ongoing isolated activity and latest CAMs, I did move up the more widespread, strong to possibly severe VCTS activity up to 08z, with best 4-hour TEMPO window of heavier downpours to between 12z-16z Saturday at all airports. Main line of storms associated with a surface front should arrive by 18z, with wrap-around, scattered, high-based convection lingering between 18z-22z Saturday, as the upper low transverses the region. Wind shifts and speeds are a little more tricky. E-NE winds 10-15 knots should prevail through much of the period through 12z, as a developing surface low pressure center near the Big Bend National Park lifts east across the Texas Hill Country into Central Texas. As the surface low tracks from Central Texas toward the Ark-La-Tex through the day, a cold front will shifts through the area with winds across DFW airports shifts N 15-20 knots, before becoming NW 20-25 knots with higher gusts by 00z or early Saturday evening. Some minor crosswind issues may occur on N-S oriented runways by 00z Sunday at DFW airports. At Waco, winds will be shifting more in a veering fashion being being close to or right where the surface low tracks NE during the day. E-NE winds around 10 knots will veer SW 15-20 knots just before 18z Saturday, before veering W-NW 15-25 knots late in the afternoon and early evening Saturday. 05/ && .SHORT TERM... /Issued 344 PM CDT Fri Apr 12 2019/ /Tonight into Tomorrow/ Primary concern in the short-term is the potential for severe weather and heavy rainfall across North and Central Texas. While some uncertainty remains regarding severe potential (Question: Does uncertainty ever truly go away in this business? Answer: No.), synoptic details and timing/distribution of heavier precipitation continues to be refined. In the meantime, a rather pleasant (if not slightly cool) afternoon will transition into a cool, dry April evening. High clouds will spread across our area from the west, in association with southwest flow ahead of a deepening mid/upper trough. On the western periphery of this system, a 140-kt upper-level jet streak will dive southward through this evening, amplifying the system over northern Mexico. 925-850mb southerly flow ahead of the trough will intensify in response, and showers and thunderstorms are forecast to blossom across much of the region. One convective corridor will likely exist near/east of the I-35 corridor after midnight. In this zone, a focused channel of isentropic ascent will likely support shallow convective streamers feeding northward to a band of thunderstorms extending from North Central Texas east to the Arklatex. A few of these storms will likely be capable of at least marginally severe hail. Meanwhile, strong ascent on the nose of the approaching mid/upper trough will work in tandem with southeasterly surface flow over the Hill Country/Concho Valley to ignite strong/severe convection to our west/southwest overnight. These cells will likely approach our southwestern counties towards daybreak. Increasingly meridional flow aloft may support an evolution towards a squall line, which would enhance the damaging-wind threat where sufficient surface-based destabilization occurs. This will be dictated by the northward advance of richer surface theta-e tonight into tomorrow morning. Tied to this advance, an organizing low is expected to track from parts of Central Texas to East Texas through mid-day, and the warm sector east/southeast of this low should be sufficiently unstable to support at least some damaging-wind potential in any bowing segments. The most likely area for such potential appears to remain along/southeast of a Temple-to-Athens line. Of note, slightly elevated convection just north of the front may still be able to produce damaging gusts if cells can sufficiently organize and overcome weak static stability associated with the frontal surface aloft. As for the tornado potential, this still appears rather nebulous across our southeastern counties. Cells feeding into the aforementioned line/cluster of storms will be within a moist environment characterized by favorable low-level shear. Questions remain regarding the ability of adequately unstable surface air to race back northward ahead of the line tomorrow morning. If dew points in the upper 60s can stream ahead of the surface cyclone, stronger low-level mesocyclones may be attainable. However, the possibility of widespread morning precipitation also casts doubt on just how unstable the warm sector will be. With that said, any tornado potential would likely be maximized across our far southeast, generally from Cameron to Palestine during the morning/mid-day hours. Heavy rain and some minor flooding could occur across essentially all of the county warning area as cells move east through the morning. The most likely area will be across East Texas, where a combination of initial warm-advection storms and then the primary convective band will focus higher rainfall amounts. The progressive nature of the system should preclude widespread flash flooding issues, but at least localized flash flooding will be possible. The worst of the storms moves east into the Sabine Valley by mid afternoon. Conditions will dry considerably behind the surface cyclone, but robust ascent and steep lapse rates associated with the primary wave may yield isolated stronger storms (capable of hail and gusty winds) during the afternoon and early evening. Convective overturning casts doubt on this scenario, but satellite/radar trends will need to be monitored even after the initial wave of convection passes. Conditions then turn cooler as northwesterly winds and cold advection increase tomorrow evening. Picca && .LONG TERM... /Issued 344 PM CDT Fri Apr 12 2019/ /Saturday Night Onward/ The strong vertically stacked storm system will continue moving across North and Central Texas early Sunday morning, leaving behind a few lingering showers and storms associated with a band of frontogenetical forcing on the northwestern edge of the system. As is the case with cold core systems, lapse rates will be steep enough to warrant a mention of at least some isolated lingering thunderstorms as the system departs to the east. Numerical guidance is attempting to tease North Texans with one last taste of winter as cold air filters in behind the system while light precipitation is falling. It is possible that a few locations in the far northwestern counties may see a few snow flakes flying around prior to sunrise Sunday, but with surface temperatures remaining in the mid to upper 30s and the antecedent surface conditions due to the increasing sun angle, there is no threat for wintry precipitation impacts. Once again, the probability of this occurring is low but given the cold thermodynamic profile, it is a possibility. A drying trend will begin Sunday as the dynamic upper low moves away from North and Central Texas and upper level ridging moves in. High temperatures will be highly dependent on just how much cloud cover will linger across the region. At this point, clouds will likely clear from west to east through the I-35 corridor, allowing for upper 60s west of I-35 and lower 60s to the east. Surface ridging will continue shifting to the east and surface winds will quickly turn southerly by late Sunday night, keeping lows in the 40s to around 50 degrees. By Monday, dry conditions will continue with temperatures increasing between 10-15 degrees compared to Sunday. Locations west of I-35 can expect to climb into the low to upper 80s, while those east of I-35 will remain in the mid to upper 70s. The tranquil weather will bleed into Tuesday. This time, increasing cloud cover will prevent high temperatures from reaching 80 degrees. Another potent storm system will be digging its way south across the Rockies Tuesday into Wednesday and likely yield to the development of a dryline across West Texas Wednesday afternoon. There still remains some uncertainty as to the timing of the system, therefore, confidence in the forecast for the mid week system remains low. For now, it appears as if sufficiently high instability along with the presence of 40-45 kts of 0-6 km shear will increase the potential for severe weather. Exact hazards and timing is unknown at this time but this system bears watching as we proceed through the weekend. Any lingering showers and storms will likely be moving east of North and Central Texas by Wednesday night as a cold front helps push all moisture east of the region. The cold front will help keep temperatures in the upper 60s to lower 70s both Thursday and Friday, with dry conditions continuing into next weekend. Hernandez && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Dallas-Ft. Worth 55 59 43 67 50 / 70 100 40 0 0 Waco 59 67 44 68 49 / 70 100 10 0 0 Paris 53 59 42 62 44 / 90 100 60 0 0 Denton 53 57 40 65 48 / 80 100 50 0 0 McKinney 53 59 42 64 47 / 80 100 50 0 0 Dallas 56 61 45 67 50 / 70 100 40 0 0 Terrell 57 64 43 65 46 / 70 100 30 0 0 Corsicana 60 68 44 66 47 / 70 90 20 0 0 Temple 62 71 44 69 49 / 60 100 5 0 0 Mineral Wells 52 57 39 67 47 / 80 100 40 0 0 && .FWD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && 05
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Fort Worth TX 345 PM CDT Fri Apr 12 2019 TXZ091>095-100>107-115>123-129>135-141>148-156>162-174-175-131215- Montague-Cooke-Grayson-Fannin-Lamar-Young-Jack-Wise-Denton-Collin- Hunt-Delta-Hopkins-Stephens-Palo Pinto-Parker-Tarrant-Dallas- Rockwall-Kaufman-Van Zandt-Rains-Eastland-Erath-Hood-Somervell- Johnson-Ellis-Henderson-Comanche-Mills-Hamilton-Bosque-Hill-Navarro- Freestone-Anderson-Lampasas-Coryell-Bell-McLennan-Falls-Limestone- Leon-Milam-Robertson- 345 PM CDT Fri Apr 12 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for North and Central Texas. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Thunderstorm chances will begin increasing late this evening, with widespread storms expected after midnight. Some storms across North Texas will pose a threat for marginally severe hail in addition to lightning and heavy rain. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Widespread thunderstorms will continue on Saturday. The severe weather potential will be greatest roughly southeast of a Temple-to- Athens line where a tornado or damaging wind threat may organize. Storms across most of North and Central Texas will support a hail threat throughout this time period as well. Thunderstorms will generally taper off from west to east Saturday afternoon, although isolated strong storms could linger into early evening. After a brief reprieve from storm chances early in the week, additional thunderstorms are possible on Wednesday and Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Limited spotter activation may be requested tonight.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
1037 PM CDT FRI APR 12 2019
TXZ107-130400-
Hopkins TX-
1037 PM CDT FRI APR 12 2019
...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...
At 1037 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Como, or 10 miles east of Sulphur Springs, moving northeast at 30
mph.
Half inch hail will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Como.
LAT...LON 3297 9541 3309 9558 3337 9538 3336 9533
3337 9531 3301 9531
TIME...MOT...LOC 0337Z 216DEG 28KT 3310 9544
79The Shreveport radar (KSHV), 167 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:01 UTC.
30 hail, 9 thunderstorm wind, 5 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A social media report indicated penny-size hail approximately 7 miles north-northeast of the city of Como, TX.
A trained spotter reported half-dollar size hail approximately 6 miles southwest of the city of Wills Point, TX.
Broadcast media reported golf ball size hail in the city of Wills Point, TX.
A public report indicated quarter-size hail approximately 4 miles east of the city of Quinlan, TX.
A social media report indicated dime sized hail in the Castle Hills area of Lewisville, TX. The hail fell for approximately 7 minutes.
Emergency management reported dime size hail on North Locust Street in the city of Denton, TX.
A social media report indicated nickel size hail on the University of North Texas campus in the city of Denton, TX.
A social media report indicated quarter size hail in northern portions of the city of Denton, TX.
A public report indicated dime size hail approximately 3 miles north of the city of Denton, TX.
A social media report indicated dime size hail in south Arlington.
A trained spotter reported dime size hail near the Highland Park area of Dallas, TX.
Broadcast media reported hail up to the size of quarters near the Dallas-Collin County line in the vicinity of President George Bush Turnpike.
A trained spotter reported quarter sized hail near the intersection of Marsh Lane and West Parker Road in Plano on the Denton County side.
A social media report indicated ping pong ball size hail in The Colony, TX.
A trained spotter reported ping pong ball size hail approximately 3 miles northwest of the city of Lake Worth, TX.
A trained spotter reported baseball size hail near city hall in The Colony, TX.
A trained spotter reported penny size hail approximately 1 mile south of the city of Hackberry, TX.
A social media report indicated quarter-size hail in the Eagle Mountain area of Saginaw, TX.
A social media report indicated penny size hail in the city of White Settlement, TX.
Damage was reported to 3 neighboring properties in the Aledo area. Large tree limbs were broken, shingles were broken off, and fences were knocked down.
Broadcast media reported quarter size hail in the city of Waco, TX.
A trained spotter reported golf ball size hail in the city of Rockdale, TX.
A trained spotter reported nickel size hail approximately 5 miles north of the city of Rhome, TX.
A trained spotter reported penny size hail in the city of Hewitt, TX.
A trained spotter reported dime size hail in the city of Sanger, TX.
Emergency management reported quarter size hail approximately 2 miles southwest of the city of Blooming Grove, TX.
A trained spotter reported ping pong ball size hail near Highway 287 in the city of Haslet, TX.
A trained spotter reported penny size hail in the city of Irving, TX.
The survey team determined that this tornado first formed just west of the Brazos River in extreme eastern Milam County, approximately 6 miles northwest of Hearne, Texas. The tornado traveled east-northeastward, crossing the Brazos River and moving into Robertson County shortly after developing.
This tornado is a continuation of the tornado that began in Milam County. After crossing the Brazos River, the tornado moved east-northeastward, crossing US Highway 6 approximately 4.5 miles north of Hearne. EF-1 damage was identified at one structure near this highway crossing, and considerable tree damage consistent with EF-1 intensity tornadic winds were observed along the highway right of way. The tornado then proceeded east-northeastward towards Franklin.
The most significant damage occurred in the city of Franklin. Within a two-block long corridor on the south side of Franklin, the team confirmed EF-3 intensity tornado damage at 2 residences. Peak wind speeds at these sites were estimated at 140 mph. A number of additional structures on the south side of Franklin exhibited EF-1 and EF-2 intensity damage.
The tornado continued from Franklin east-northeastward along US 79, crossing the Navasota River into far western Leon County.
A trained spotter reported nickel size hail in the city of Lewisville, TX.
A trained spotter reported nickel size hail in the city of Denton, TX.
This tornado is a continuation from Milam and Robertson counties. After entering from eastern Robertson County, the tornado dissipated in extreme western Leon County, 4 miles south-southwest of Marquez. Only tree damage was observed along the path in Leon County.
The supercell thunderstorm that spawned the significant EF-3 tornado in Robertson County tracked into Leon County and produced a second tornado with EF-1 intensity damage. This tornado formed in a heavily forested area 3 miles southeast of Jewett. Several residences and outbuildings were impacted by the tornado in the central part of the county, east of Jewett to the south of Buffalo. Two residences along Leon County Road 363 lost small portions of roof material, with winds estimated around 100 mph. The tornado crossed I-45 about 5 miles south of Buffalo, snapping trees along the Interstate right-of-way. The tornado dissipated approximately 4 miles east of Buffalo.
Emergency management reported both a carport and part of the roof of a metal building blown down in the city of Groesbeck, TX. In addition, large tree branches were broken across the city.
Emergency management reported several trees blown down across the northern part of Navarro County.
A brief EF-0 tornado was confirmed from 3 videos just east of the town of Mumford, TX in southern Robertson County. No damage was reported as the track stayed in open farmland.
Emergency management reported power poles being snapped from a large tree branch falling on them. This occurred along County Road 735 between 5 and 8 miles south of the city of Groesbeck, TX.
A trained spotter reported quarter size hail approximately 5 miles west of the city of Centerville, TX.
Emergency management reported small trees blown down approximately 5 miles north of the city of Groesbeck, TX.
Emergency management reported small trees blown over in the city of Corsicana, TX.
Emergency management reported a large tree down near the intersection of County Road 184 and Highway 287 in the city of Elkhart, TX.
Emergency management reported trees down on FM 315, Highway 84, and County Road 391 in Anderson County.
Emergency management reported several trees down approximately 10 miles north of the city of Corsicana, TX.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Texas, 2019Warnings in Texas, April 2019
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: 815125, 815126, 815127, 815128, 815129, 815130, 815138, 815131, 815132, 815134, 815135, 815141, 823132, 815142, 815143, 815155, 815325, 815328, 815331, 823135, 815332, 815333, 815334, 815335, 815336, 815337, 815338, 815339, 815343, 815344, 815340, 815341, 815345, 815346, 818046, 818050, 818031, 818697, 815342, 818698, and more.