On the evening of August 8th a main area of thunderstorms moved from New Mexico and Colorado into the northwest combined Panhandles. Some storms trained across the same area just to the northwest of Highway 54 between Dalhart and Stratford.
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 AMA wrote it up.
On the evening of August 8th a main area of thunderstorms moved from New Mexico and Colorado into the northwest combined Panhandles. Some storms trained across the same area just to the northwest of Highway 54 between Dalhart and Stratford. These training storms dumped 2 to 3 inches in a matter of an hour over an area just north of Conlen, TX. This led to some rural flooding.
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 Amarillo, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 8, 4:54 PM CST, 2 hours 18 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Amarillo TX 554 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2020 .UPDATE...Showers and thunderstorms have developed across the western third of the combined Panhandles, as daytime heating combined with a passing upper level disturbance help kickoff this activity. The environment is supportive for locally gusty winds as a result of these thunderstorms, with mention added for this potential in the presence of 1200 to 1800 J/kg of DCAPE. Further updates were made to winds, as they are a little stronger and gusty compared to what was anticipated. Otherwise, the rest of the forecast remains on track. Bieda && .AVIATION...00Z TAFs...Showers and thunderstorms have developed near all 3 TAF terminals this afternoon, and should continue through about sunset this evening. Given the sparseness of coverage, will mainly handle TAF mentions with amendments, as there is no certainty (even now) as to whether these storms can hold together for long. Should a storm collapse near or around the terminals, concern for microburst winds do exist. Later tonight, gusty winds should drop AOB 10 kts out of the south, increasing mid afternoon on Sunday to around 15 to 25 kts. Wind shear is not a concern during the forecast period, as the low- level winds above the deck are anticipated to be around 20 to 30 kts. Bieda && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Amarillo TX 99 69 98 70 99 / 10 20 10 10 20 Beaver OK 100 72 99 71 98 / 0 10 10 20 20 Boise City OK 101 66 98 66 96 / 20 20 20 20 20 Borger TX 104 73 103 74 103 / 10 20 10 10 20 Boys Ranch TX 102 68 101 70 102 / 20 20 10 20 20 Canyon TX 99 68 98 69 99 / 10 20 5 10 20 Clarendon TX 98 72 97 73 97 / 5 10 5 5 10 Dalhart TX 102 65 97 66 97 / 20 20 20 20 20 Guymon OK 103 68 98 69 97 / 20 20 20 20 20 Hereford TX 100 69 98 69 99 / 20 20 10 10 20 Lipscomb TX 99 72 98 72 98 / 0 10 5 20 20 Pampa TX 101 70 98 72 99 / 5 20 5 10 20 Shamrock TX 100 71 96 73 97 / 5 10 5 5 10 Wellington TX 103 73 100 74 100 / 5 5 0 5 5 && .PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 223 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2020/ SHORT TERM...Today through Tomorrow Night... The upper level ridge is stretched across Texas today with weak southwest winds aloft. As the ridge builds a bit to the east and south, winds aloft will shift to the west and northwest in the far northwestern corner of the forecast area. By tomorrow, the ridge will begin to elongate across the south and southeast CONUS with a continuation of weak westerly winds aloft. Thunderstorm chances return again today across the far western Panhandles. Models are indicating a weak shortwave late this evening that will provide a lifting mechanism to initiate some updrafts. The environment is not super conducive to support strong thunderstorms. However, there is still up to 500 J/kg of CAPE available with less than 20 knot shear for some showers to form. The best chance for a few thunderstorms will in the southwest Texas Panhandle where temperatures are only in the low to mid 90s and dewpoints are in the low to mid 50s. With the shortwave coming through late tonight and a potential low level jet kicking in, the storms are likely to initiate in eastern New Mexico and move east towards the western Texas border with the main threat being gusty winds. With lack of daytime heating this late, the storms are likely to diminish along or just into the western portion of the forecast area. Tomorrow the chance for thunderstorms once again returns. The environment is slightly better than today, with CAPE values in excess of 1000-1500 J/kg and shear less than 20 knots. With another shortwave in the mid-levels paired with a low level jet, storms chances will be similar to today with initiation across eastern New Mexico and the far western Panhandles. Temperatures will be similar to today with highs in the 90s and dewpoints progged to be in the lower 50s across the west. If a storm or two forms, the main threat will be gusty winds. Rutt LONG TERM...Monday through Friday Night... Westerly flow more in line for the beginning of the work week as upper level trof over south central Canada passes by. Still a bit uncertain if there will be a weak cold front far enough south to impact the Panhandles but it certainly looks like there will be a shortwave move through that will help trigger off storms on Monday. As to whether the front stalls in KS or not is yet to be determined. Still NBM pops look good right around 30-40 percent on Monday and slightly less on Tuesday. Will note, while there's not expected to be much in the frontal forcing on Tuesday that may be available on Monday, another shortwave could move through and bring a repeat similar to Monday's storms. Pops have been kept in the slight chance range for Tuesday. Wednesday into the weekend, the high will rebuild over the Four Corners region, with hot and dry conditions. There may still be enough mid level moisture to get some isolated storms to pop, but right now confidence is too low. The ridge looks to retrograde west as we head into next weekend and northwest flow could return a chance of thunderstorms to the Panhandles late Friday into Saturday. Overall, the chances of severe weather still look low, but if we do get any severe weather with these storms, damaging winds would be the primary threat, given the inverted V soundings with high afternoon DCAPE values. given the high freezing levels and the lower CAPE values, severe hail doesn't appear to be much of a concern. Slow moving storms could still produce moderate to heavy rain, and may pose a limited flood risk if over areas of poor drainage for long periods of time. Weber AVIATION...18z TAF Issuance... VFR conditions are expected at all three TAF sites through the period. There is a slight chance for some thunderstorms across the west southwest Texas Panhandle late this evening, with a very small chance that DHT may see some light rain showers or an isolated thunderstorm. The thunderstorms are expected to stay south of DHT, so no mention was given in this issuance. Winds are gusty out of the south today at around 10 to 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots possible. Overnight the winds will begin to gradual diminish towards 10 to 15 knots with an occasional gust up to 20 knots still possible through the period. Rutt && .AMA Watches/Warnings/Advisories... TX...None. OK...None. && 98/29
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Amarillo TX 223 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2020 OKZ001>003-TXZ001>020-317-090730- Cimarron-Texas-Beaver-Dallam-Sherman-Hansford-Ochiltree-Lipscomb- Hartley-Moore-Hutchinson-Roberts-Hemphill-Oldham-Potter-Carson- Gray-Wheeler-Deaf Smith-Randall-Armstrong-Donley-Collingsworth- Palo Duro Canyon- 223 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Thunderstorms are expected through tonight across western portions of the Panhandles. A few storms may be strong with gusty winds being the primary hazard. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue through Sunday and into early next week. Storms will have the potential to be strong with gusty winds and small hail. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Amarillo TX
600 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2020
TXZ004-005-009-010-082330-
Hemphill TX-Ochiltree TX-Roberts TX-Lipscomb TX-
600 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN LIPSCOMB...NORTHERN
ROBERTS...NORTHWESTERN HEMPHILL AND SOUTHEASTERN OCHILTREE COUNTIES
UNTIL 630 PM CDT...
At 559 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles southwest of Lake Meredith, or 21 miles southwest of Borger,
moving northeast at 15 mph.
Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southwestern
Lipscomb, northern Roberts, northwestern Hemphill and southeastern
Ochiltree Counties.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Take shelter in a sturdy building if threatening weather approaches.
If on or near Lake Meredith, get out of the water and move indoors
or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles
from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close
enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not
be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
this storm passes.
&&
LAT...LON 3572 10101 3584 10109 3591 10109 3621 10054
3598 10037
TIME...MOT...LOC 2259Z 211DEG 14KT 3554 10175
BiedaSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Amarillo TX 601 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2020 TXZ007-008-012-013-082330- Hutchinson TX-Potter TX-Carson TX-Moore TX- 601 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN CARSON... SOUTHWESTERN HUTCHINSON...NORTHEASTERN POTTER AND SOUTHEASTERN MOORE COUNTIES UNTIL 630 PM CDT... At 600 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9 miles southwest of Lake Meredith, or 21 miles west of Borger, moving northeast at 15 mph. Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Fritch and Lake Meredith. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take shelter in a sturdy building if threatening weather approaches. If on or near Lake Meredith, get out of the water and move indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm. Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until this storm passes. && LAT...LON 3543 10170 3552 10189 3579 10175 3565 10147 TIME...MOT...LOC 2300Z 211DEG 14KT 3554 10175 Bieda
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Amarillo TX
623 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2020
TXZ001-090000-
Dallam TX-
623 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN DALLAM COUNTY UNTIL 700
PM CDT...
At 623 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles west of Conlen, or 11 miles northeast of Dalhart, moving
northeast at 15 mph.
Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Conlen.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Take shelter in a sturdy building if threatening weather approaches.
&&
LAT...LON 3644 10242 3632 10216 3627 10216 3609 10235
3618 10254
TIME...MOT...LOC 2323Z 210DEG 12KT 3620 10240
BiedaSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Amarillo TX 720 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2020 OKZ001-002-TXZ002-090045- Cimarron OK-Texas OK-Sherman TX- 720 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN TEXAS...SOUTHEASTERN CIMARRON AND NORTHERN SHERMAN COUNTIES UNTIL 745 PM CDT... At 719 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9 miles southeast of Griggs, or 12 miles north of Stratford, moving east at 15 mph. Half inch hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Texhoma. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take shelter in a sturdy building if threatening weather approaches. && LAT...LON 3640 10208 3659 10208 3663 10173 3636 10174 TIME...MOT...LOC 0019Z 270DEG 13KT 3650 10199 Bieda
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Amarillo TX 727 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2020 TXZ001-002-090100- Sherman TX-Dallam TX- 727 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL SHERMAN AND SOUTHEASTERN DALLAM COUNTIES UNTIL 800 PM CDT... At 726 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4 miles southwest of Conlen, or 15 miles northeast of Dalhart. This storm was nearly stationary. Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Conlen. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take shelter in a sturdy building if threatening weather approaches. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. && LAT...LON 3610 10229 3621 10243 3639 10226 3623 10205 TIME...MOT...LOC 0026Z 226DEG 3KT 3620 10229 Bieda
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Amarillo TX
757 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2020
TXZ001-002-090130-
Sherman TX-Dallam TX-
757 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL SHERMAN AND EASTERN
DALLAM COUNTIES UNTIL 830 PM CDT...
At 757 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Conlen, or 11 miles west of Stratford, moving northeast at 10 mph.
Penny size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Stratford and Conlen.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Take shelter in a sturdy building if threatening weather approaches.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3631 10191 3610 10229 3621 10243 3650 10229
3650 10227
TIME...MOT...LOC 0057Z 210DEG 10KT 3628 10227
BiedaThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Report with a picture of rural flooding just north of Conlen was submitted to the NWS Amarillo.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, August 2020
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: 916390.