Isolated thunderstorms developed across the Rolling Plains on the afternoon and evening of the 17th. One of these thunderstorms became severe as it moved near Spur (Dickens County) producing a wind gust to 66 mph.
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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 LUB wrote it up.
Isolated thunderstorms developed across the Rolling Plains on the afternoon and evening of the 17th. One of these thunderstorms became severe as it moved near Spur (Dickens County) producing a wind gust to 66 mph. Also, a lightning started wildfire burned out of control for several days beginning on the 17th. The Bird Ranch Fire in west-central Cottle County was finally contained on the 24th burning 9931 acres. Exceptionally dry fuels from the lack of rainfall over the summer months contributed to the spread of this wildfire despite light winds.
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 Aug 17, 1:47 PM CST, 2 hours 53 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lubbock TX 247 PM CDT Sat Aug 17 2019 .DISCUSSION... As with yesterday a few outflow boundaries remain which could aid in convective development later this afternoon and evening as weak upper lift pushes into the FA from NM. This lift has already begun to aid in thunderstorm development over the higher terrain of central NM. The Rolling Plains are favored for development later today where surface dewpoints are higher. Most storms should stay sub-severe, however some storms may be capable of producing severe wind gusts over 60 mph. Due to the history of storms producing strong wind gusts and lightning that has sparked several wildfires, the current Red Flag warning will be continued through late this evening. The upper ridge will continue to build tomorrow into Monday which will in turn allow temps to continue to warm. Models continue to differ on handling of the upper ridge. The ECMWF and GFS both "split" the ridge, but the GFS is more aggressive with splitting it in turn creating a weakness in the center of the ridge. The ECMWF keeps the upper ridge more in tact. Given the lack of uncertainty precip chances have been lowered slightly to slight chance. Models mostly come back into agreement beyond Tuesday by moving the upper high slightly westward over AZ/NM giving west Texas a slight relief from heat. While organized thunderstorms are not expected mid to late week, the possibility for general thunderstorms cannot be ruled out. && .FIRE WEATHER... A Red Flag Warning remains in effect from this afternoon through late evening across the Rolling Plains. Recent days have seen a number of fire starts likely connected to the dry lightning and with Energy Release Components over the 90th percentile and approaching historic highs for mid August. Grasses have dried significantly and with the lightning also has come outflow gusts. We expect another day with isolated to scattered high-based lightning storms this afternoon and evening. Moisture levels are reasonably high, and some locations will certainly see heavy downpours. But areas near the fringe of the heavy rain will not get much benefit from the rain and still have exposure to lightning. Thus, potential for more starts and also potential to fan existing fires. && .LUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Red Flag Warning until midnight CDT tonight for TXZ024>026- 030>032-036>038-042>044. && 51/99
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lubbock TX 324 AM CDT Sat Aug 17 2019 TXZ021>044-181000- Parmer-Castro-Swisher-Briscoe-Hall-Childress-Bailey-Lamb-Hale- Floyd-Motley-Cottle-Cochran-Hockley-Lubbock-Crosby-Dickens-King- Yoakum-Terry-Lynn-Garza-Kent-Stonewall- 324 AM CDT Sat Aug 17 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the South Plains, Rolling Plains and the far Southern Texas Panhandle. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A few thunderstorms could become severe this afternoon and evening from the eastern South Plains through the Rolling Plains. Storms will have potential for wind gusts greater than 60 mph and isolated hail near 1 inch diameter, as well as locally intense rainfall. There also is a threat for dry lightning storms outside of the heavy rain and potential for new fire starts and spread of existing fires. A Red Flag Warning is in effect this afternoon and evening for the Rolling Plains and adjacent eastern South Plains. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday A few strong or severe wind gusts could occur near thunderstorms Sunday afternoon and evening.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lubbock TX
450 PM CDT Sat Aug 17 2019
TXZ036-037-172215-
Dickens TX-Crosby TX-
450 PM CDT Sat Aug 17 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN DICKENS AND
SOUTHEASTERN CROSBY COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM CDT...
At 449 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles northwest of Spur, moving east at 10 mph.
Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm, along
with spotty rainfall.
Locations impacted include...
Spur, Dickens and White River Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Occasional cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3344 10115 3363 10115 3366 10066 3340 10067
3340 10073
TIME...MOT...LOC 2149Z 271DEG 9KT 3354 10096
23Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Lubbock TX 522 PM CDT Sat Aug 17 2019 TXZ034-035-172245- Hockley TX-Lubbock TX- 522 PM CDT Sat Aug 17 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL LUBBOCK AND SOUTHEASTERN HOCKLEY COUNTIES UNTIL 545 PM CDT... At 520 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Reese Center, or 9 miles west of Lubbock, moving east at 30 mph. Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm, along with spotty rainfall and cloud to ground lightning. Locations impacted include... Lubbock, Wolfforth, Shallowater, Ransom Canyon, Texas Tech University, Reese Center, New Deal and Smyer. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Occasional cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. && LAT...LON 3343 10218 3367 10220 3377 10171 3341 10167 TIME...MOT...LOC 2220Z 264DEG 24KT 3357 10204 23
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lubbock TX
538 PM CDT Sat Aug 17 2019
TXZ037-038-043-044-172300-
Dickens TX-Kent TX-King TX-Stonewall TX-
538 PM CDT Sat Aug 17 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN KENT...SOUTHERN
DICKENS...NORTHEASTERN GARZA...SOUTHERN KING AND NORTHWESTERN
STONEWALL COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM CDT...
At 537 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 7 miles west of Guthrie to 8 miles south of
Spur. Movement was east at 25 mph.
Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this cluster
of storms, along with cloud to ground lightning and spotty rainfall.
Locations impacted include...
Spur, Jayton, Guthrie and Girard.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Occasional cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3317 10069 3334 10104 3350 10094 3370 10049
3359 9999 3358 9999
TIME...MOT...LOC 2237Z 289DEG 20KT 3361 10046 3336 10089
23The Lubbock radar (KLBB), 90 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:40 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind, 1 wildfire. Local standard time, as filed.
A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Spur measured a wind gust to 66 mph.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, August 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: 842627, 842629.