An intense upper level storm system ignited a line of strong to severe thunderstorms, which marched across North and Central Texas during the early morning hours of March 13. A broad swath of wind damage occurred along the Interstate 20 corridor including the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
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.
An intense upper level storm system ignited a line of strong to severe thunderstorms, which marched across North and Central Texas during the early morning hours of March 13. A broad swath of wind damage occurred along the Interstate 20 corridor including the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
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 Mar 12, 11:43 PM CST, 2 hours 17 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Fort Worth TX 1243 AM CDT Wed Mar 13 2019 .AVIATION... /06Z TAFs/ Concerns - Gusty southeasterly winds continuing through the morning ahead of the line of storms. Timing of the squall line expected to sweep through all of North and Central Texas TAF sites. Windy conditions once again Wednesday afternoon. The strong low level jet, sampled by area radars, has shown very strong winds between 2000-5000 feet above the surface. KDYX was sampling winds of 70+ kts starting at around 4500 feet, meanwhile, KFWS had 60+ kts at around 3000 feet. Given decent moment transfer towards the ground, wind speeds as high as 45 kts have been reported mainly across North Texas. As mentioned above, these winds will continue given the presence of the strong LLJ remaining until the line of storms clears the region. A line of storms will approach the Dallas/Fort Worth area terminals from the west by 10Z, and clear the eastern TAF sites by 12Z. For Waco, a similar trend is expected with the line of storms arriving closer to 12Z. Along with the heavy rain, gusty winds can be expected with the storms. There continues to be a threat for damaging winds along the leading edge of the storms. While the heavy rain is occurring, cigs will likely decrease into the IFR category, but quickly return to MVFR once the storms move to the east. A brief lull in the windy conditions is expected mid to late morning before westerly winds pick up in in response to the deepening surface low across Oklahoma and Kansas. Winds in the afternoon will be gusting upwards of 30 kts, but given the southerly component, crosswind issues should be minimal to north- south oriented runways. Winds will decrease after sunset as the lower atmosphere decouples from the higher winds aloft. Skies will clear, leading to VFR conditions with a continuation of the southwesterly winds, albeit much lower wind speeds compared to the afternoon hours. Hernandez && .UPDATE... /Issued 1119 PM CDT Tue Mar 12 2019/ The main forecast update was to the very near term weather conditions as the winds have significantly increased through the late evening hours. A wind advisory is now in effect for all of North and Central Texas as sustained winds are now between 25-35 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. The windy conditions will continue through the night as the low level jet is expected to continue into early Wednesday morning. Otherwise, no changes were made to the overnight severe weather potential. As of 11pm Tuesday, the line extended from Lubbock to Midland to Fort Stockton in West Texas. This line is continuing to race to the east at around 50 mph. The main threat associated with the line of storms will be damaging winds, but an embedded tornado cannot be ruled out given the strong low level shear. A decrease in instability east of I-35 will likely lead to a slight weakening of the thunderstorms as they pass to the eastern half of North and Central Texas. Given the longevity of heavy rain in one particular location will likely be short, the flash flooding threat appears to be low. Low temperatures tonight will remain on the warm side east of I-35 as this area will not see the arrival of the cold front until Wednesday. For areas west of I-35, temperatures in the lower to mid 50s can be expected. Hernandez && .SHORT TERM... /Issued 342 PM CDT Tue Mar 12 2019/ /Tonight through Wednesday night/ Outside of some patchy drizzle, most precipitation has ended across the forecast area this afternoon. Stubborn low clouds have remained, with GOES-16 visible imagery only just now showing the first signs of some thinning out over the far southern counties. Temperatures there have warmed into the low 70s there, with low 60s elsewhere. After midnight tonight, a strong low level jet is expected to develop and move into the area from the west. Even with the low clouds remaining, the strength of 850mb winds at 50 to 70 knots will likely allow strong winds to mix down to the surface. Have issued a Wind Advisory for tonight through 7 AM CDT for the entire forecast area. The squall line should be racing into the forecast area beginning after 1 AM CDT, into and through the DFW Metroplex between 4 to 6 AM CDT and exiting eastern counties around 10 AM CDT. Ample deep layer shear and the above mentioned low level jet will bring the potential for 60 to 70 mph damaging winds as the primary severe threat. The lack of instability should temper the embedded tornado threat and also the hail potential with the line. Having said that, the squall line will be surface based and thus the damaging wind threat will continue through the I-35 corridor, before eventually waning across the far eastern zones. We will continue to monitor the possibility of higher instability tonight based on the temperature and dew point trends this evening. If instability is higher than expected, the possibility of tornadoes could increase so stay tuned to forecast updates. Despite the unseasonably high moisture content, the squall line will be moving fast enough across the area to prevent much in the way of flood or flash flooding threat outside of short term concerns in urban areas. Rainfall totals of about 1 to 1.5 inches are expected areawide. Stratiform rainfall will linger behind the line through the morning hours, and as the rainfall exits, southwest winds will increase to 20 to 30 knots behind the front tomorrow afternoon. Another wind advisory will be needed for that timeframe over most of the area. We will evaluate this later tonight since there will be a decent lull in the winds tomorrow morning behind the line of storms. Have bumped up temperatures from the blended guidance to be closer to MOS guidance as southwesterly flow and clearing skies behind the front should allow temperatures to reach the low to mid 70s areawide. 99 && .LONG TERM... /Issued 342 PM CDT Tue Mar 12 2019/ /Wednesday night though Tuesday/ After a windy and warm afternoon Wednesday behind the morning squall line, drier, cooler but continued windy conditions will prevail Wednesday night through Thursday. The clearing skies and increasing cold air advection will be offset by the breezy northwest winds, keeping overnight lows in the mid 40s to the lower 50s. Highs Thursday will be slightly below seasonal normals ranging from the the mid 50s in the northwest to the mid 60s in the southeast. The weather pattern over the Lone Star State will be relatively quiet on the weekend with westerly winds aloft and dry north to northeast low level flow. Temperatures will slowly warm through the weekend with decreasing cold air advection. However, the weekend will start out on the cold side with lows in the 30s Saturday morning and afternoon highs in the 50s. Sunday should be a bit warmer with highs in the lower 60s, but there will be more clouds around due to a passing shortwave trough. There should not be enough moisture in the lower atmosphere to support any precipitation with this disturbance. Brief subsidence will move in Sunday night ahead of another weak shortwave expected on Monday. This disturbance will also have very limited low level moisture to work with and will come through dry. Highs Monday will be in the 60s. Low level moisture will start a steady return Monday night through Tuesday with a developing low pressure system across the Northern Plains. The increase in moisture will result in more mild temperatures with highs ranging from the middle 60s to the lower 70s and lows in the 40s. 79 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Dallas-Ft. Worth 52 61 38 54 36 / 5 0 0 0 0 Waco 50 63 39 56 36 / 5 0 0 0 0 Paris 52 59 36 53 33 / 5 0 0 0 0 Denton 50 60 36 54 33 / 5 0 0 0 0 McKinney 50 60 36 53 34 / 5 0 0 0 0 Dallas 54 62 39 55 38 / 5 0 0 0 0 Terrell 50 62 37 54 35 / 5 0 0 0 0 Corsicana 52 61 39 55 38 / 5 0 0 0 0 Temple 49 64 39 56 36 / 5 0 0 0 0 Mineral Wells 48 60 34 54 33 / 5 0 0 0 0 && .FWD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory until 7 AM CDT this morning for TXZ091>095-100>107- 115>123-129>135-141>148-156>162-174-175. && 08
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Fort Worth TX 1024 PM CDT Tue Mar 12 2019 TXZ091>095-100>107-115>123-129>135-141>148-156>162-174-175-140330- 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- 1024 PM CDT Tue Mar 12 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for North and Central Texas. .DAY ONE...Tonight. A line of severe storms has developed across West Texas. This line will continue moving eastward through the night. Damaging winds will be the primary hazard, but a brief tornado can't be ruled out. Although the storms may produce heavy rain, the fast- moving nature of the line should limit flooding concerns. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. At daybreak Wednesday morning, a line of strong thunderstorms may be ongoing east of the I-35 corridor. Gusty winds and frequent lightning will be the primary hazards. The storms will move east of the region by midday Wednesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Limited spotter activation may be requested after midnight tonight.
The Dyess AFB radar (KDYX), 55 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 08:00 UTC.
37 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A social media report indicated downed power lines just north of the city of Rising Star, TX.
Emergency management reported power poles down and mobile home damage in the city of Bryson, TX.
This tornado developed immediately east of downtown Mineral Wells, in |an industrial area. Initial damage was confined to some sheet metal|roofing removed from a manufacturing storage building. As the tornado|moved east, it produced EF-0 scale damage to commercial signage|and roofs along the US 180 corridor. Windspeed intensity appeared to |increase along US 180 from the Garrett Morris Parkway intersection eastward,|with enhanced signage, roof, utility pole and tree damage observed. A commercial|automotive repair center located just southeast of Mineral Wells High School|sustained significant roof and wall damage consistent with low end EF-1 intensity|tornadic winds. The tornado appeared to dissipate near the intersection of|US 180 and Washington Road.
Emergency management reported damage to several buildings at Mineral Wells High School.
Mineral Wells Automated Surface Observation System reported a wind gust of 59 MPH.
This tornado formed along Cabaniss Lane, just south of New Authon Road, in |northwest Parker County. Minor tree trunk and branch damage was oriented in |a convergent pattern along and east of Cabaniss Lane. The tornado tracked east|northeast, seriously impacting a site-built frame home located on FM 1885 |just south of New Authon/Precinct Road. Most of the home's wood rafter roof,|clad in plywood and sheet metal, was removed from the home and deposited in|the front yard of the residence. Minor damage was observed to trees and |outbuildings in the vicinity of the home. Significant damage also occurred|to a metal-clad commercial building located approximately 200 yards southeast|of this home. Metal roof cross members were severely twisted on this building,|and most of the sheet metal roofing was removed and deposited along FM 1885.|The tornado crossed FM 1885 and continued for a short distance, producing |minor tree damage. It ultimately dissipated as it reached Precinct Road,|just east of FM 1885.
Amateur radio reported 8-inch diameter trees blown down in the city of Willow Park, TX.
A private weather station approximately 7 miles southeast of the city of Granbury, TX measured a wind gust of 65 MPH.
A 65 MPH wind gust was measured by Wunderground Station KTXGRANB110 approximately 7 miles southeast of Granbury, TX.
An 80 MPH wind gust was measured by Wunderground station KTXGRANB71 approximately 7 miles southeast of Granbury, TX.
The Bowie, TX Automated Weather Observation System measured a wind gust of 61 MPH.
A 75 MPH wind gust was measured at Fort Worth Naval Air Station.
Emergency management reported trees down and roof damage in the city of Godley, TX.
Emergency management reported one occupant injured in a small modular home just southwest of the city of Cleburne, TX.
A large section of the roof at the Diamond Hills Community Center was peeled back. The roofing material hit the HVAC unit and dislodged it.
A social media report indicated that an 18-wheeler was flipped by thunderstorm winds on Interstate 35 near the city of Sanger, TX.
Several reports were received indicating power lines and power poles down, fences down and trees down across Tarrant County.
A NWS employee reported 2 power poles snapped and one street lamp snapped along Davis Blvd between Harwood Dr and Emerald Hills Way.
Thunderstorm winds caused damage across parts of Everman in Tarrant County.
A broadcast media report indicated that a logistics facility on Airfield Drive at DFW Airport had major roof damage, causing multiple cars in the parking lot to be damaged.
A 78 MPH wind gust was measured by the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Automated Surface Observation System.
Emergency management measured a wind gust of 80 MPH in the city of Grand Prairie, TX.
Thunderstorm wind damage was reported across mostly the southern portions of Carrollton, stretching from the Valley Ranch are towards Addison Airport. The report from the EM mentioned: Traffic hazards/debris in the roadways at numerous locations, 10 locations with damage consisting of turned signal heads, missing signal heads, turned signal poles and missing visors, 7 locations where signs and pole were either knocked down or blown over, Business located at 1003 W. Crosby sustained significant roof damage, Shell gas station located at Crosby and I-35 sustained canopy damage, fence, shingle and tree damage across the city, one box trailer and one 18 wheeler blown over, Damage to Branch Creek Apartment Complex at 2250 Marsh Lane: Damage to building 8 which had a partial roof collapse and damage to the clubhouse building roof as well as potentially one other building on site.
Emergency management reported wind gusts of 77 MPH for 6 minutes at University of Texas-Dallas in Richardson.
The Dallas Addison Airport Automated Weather Observation System measured a wind gust of 71 MPH.
The Hillsboro, TX Automated Weather Observation System measured a wind gust of 63 MPH.
Thunderstorm winds caused damage in several places in Gunter. Metal roofs were removed from a few barns, carports were damaged or destroyed, a camper was blown over on Main Street, fence damage was reported, and tree damage was also observed. Roof damage was also reported to homes, barns, and sheds. At Gunter High School, damage was reported to goal posts and outdoor athletic equipment.
Ellis County Sheriff's Department reported a tractor trailer flipped by thunderstorm winds in the city of Italy, TX.
The Sherman/Denison Airport Automated Weather Observation System reported a wind gust of 67 MPH.
The county fire chief reported wind damage to the elementary school in Italy and surrounding homes. The damage consisted of mostly peel up or off metal roofing and shingle damage. Tree limb damage was also observed.
Emergency management reported a wind gust of 72 MPH Point North Park in the city of Richardson, TX.
Several social media reports indicated trees and fences knocked down across Dallas County along with a few reports of flipped tractor-trailers by thunderstorm winds.
A 58 MPH wind gust was measured by the McKinney National Airport Automated Surface Observation System.
About 20 homes were damaged on and around Coral Way in Rowlett. Roof, fence and tree damage was reported in this area. One home was missing a 4x8 foot section of the roof and the chimney.
A cooperative observer at Navarro Mills Dam reported a wind gust of 61 MPH.
Fannin County Sheriff's Department reported power lines and trees down in the city of Leonard, TX.
Emergency management reported several trees down and damage to a barn near the community of Ables Springs, approximately 9 miles northeast of the city of Terrell, TX.
Van Zandt County Sheriff's Department reported roof damage northeast of Mabank, or about 11 miles southwest of the city of Canton, TX.
Emergency management reported trees down and roof damage approximately 2 miles northeast of the city of Powell, 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, March 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: 808686, 808687, 812822, 808688, 808695, 812823, 808689, 808696, 809348, 809349, 809327, 809328, 808690, 808691, 815441, 808692, 808693, 815431, 815574, 808694, 809329, 809336, 815434, 815440, 809338, 809340, 815430, 809331, 809341, 815424, 809342, 809334, 809343, 815437, 809344, 809345, 809346, 809347, 812821.