An upper level trough moved very slowly from the Rockies into the Plains during the first week of September, resulting in several days of showers and thunderstorms. Many storms became strong with gusty winds and hail, but the primary result was heavy rain and flooding.
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 upper level trough moved very slowly from the Rockies into the Plains during the first week of September, resulting in several days of showers and thunderstorms. Many storms became strong with gusty winds and hail, but the primary result was heavy rain and flooding. Unfortunately, a couple died in Temple Texas in a house fire that was started by lightning.
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 Sep 1, 4:59 AM CST, 4 hours 31 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Fort Worth TX 559 AM CDT Tue Sep 1 2020 .SHORT TERM... /NEW/ Update: Only small changes were made to the existing forecast, mainly to trim back PoPs through the rest of the morning. A few showers attempted to develop a couple hours ago, but radar shows that the bulk of the convective activity is north of the Red River. We could still see some showers and perhaps a thunderstorm near the Red River later this morning as some outflow pushes south, but not expecting the main show to begin until later this afternoon. To recap the overnight discussion briefly, we are expected widespread thunderstorms across much of North Texas and parts of Central Texas beginning later this afternoon. A few thunderstorms could be strong to severe with damaging outflow winds being the main threat in terms of severe weather. The greatest concern with this event however will be for heavy rainfall. Still looking at widespread accumulations of 4 to 6 inches near and north of I-20, with lower amounts to the south. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for much of North Texas through Thursday morning. For more details, see the previous discussion below. Godwin Previous Discussion: /Through Tuesday Night/ A very active short-term period is in store for us, with heavy rainfall expected to be the main headline. Evening upper-air analysis shows a deep mid-tropospheric trough stretched across much of the western CONUS. Embedded within this longwave trough are a few shortwave troughs, with the most notable one moving through the southern Rocky Mountains. GOES-16 water vapor imagery shows a region of ascent associated with the PV anomaly embedded within the shortwave trough moving through central Utah. On 500 mb analysis, a region of height falls associated with the approach of the shortwave trough stretches from central Wyoming through northern New Mexico. At the surface, a 1002 mb low is centered over the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, with a stationary front stretching through southern Colorado, southward through the New Mexico High Plains, then reaching back to the northeast across the Texas Panhandle and into the Southern and Central Plains. Through the next few hours, we have some ongoing showers near the Red River. These showers are what is left of an MCS that had tracked across southwestern Oklahoma on Monday evening. Some back-building of this MCS towards the southwest will be possible through the morning hours, as a strengthening low-level jet transports moisture and warm air into the region. This should exit our area by late morning however. Heading into the afternoon, the shortwave trough/PV anomaly over Utah will drop southeast, moving through the Four Corners Region and eventually into eastern New Mexico. Strengthening differential cyclonic vorticity advection, height falls aloft, and convergence near the stationary surface front will lead to widespread convective development by early afternoon. This convection looks to initiate across the Rolling Plains (i.e. western North Texas) by early afternoon. Strong forcing for ascent and deep-layer flow oriented parallel to the stationary front should result in upscale growth quickly as upper-level winds steer the convective complex eastwards. This convection will encounter a highly unstable air mass, with large temperature/dewpoint spreads present in the sub- cloud layer. This will mean that some damaging outflow winds and some hail will be possible. The more substantial threat will be from heavy rainfall however. Precipitable water values of 2.00-2.50 inches will be present over North Texas by late Tuesday afternoon, which are near record values for early September. Forecast soundings also show warm cloud layer depths in excess of 4,000 m (about 13,000 ft). This means any convection (and there will be a lot of it) will be capable of heavy rainfall rates. The heavy rainfall rates and widespread/training nature of the convection will mean a substantial concern for flash flooding, as well as mainstem river flooding. Probabilistic QPF from WPC as well as HREF localized probability matched mean QPF show pockets of more than five inches of rainfall likely for some areas north of Interstate 20 including the Dallas/Fort Worth Metropolitan Area. For this reason, we have expanded the Flash Flood Watch south to the I-20 corridor, and extended it in time through Thursday morning. Convection may lose a little steam, and the wind threat may settle down as we move into the late evening hours Tuesday, but expect the heavy rainfall threat to continue through at least daybreak Wednesday. One final note: the Heat Advisory will continue through early Tuesday evening. Before the showers and thunderstorms overspread the region, we can still expect some hot temperatures across particularly Central Texas, and with dewpoints well into the 70s, we should easily hit heat advisory criteria for one more day. Godwin && .LONG TERM... /Issued 301 AM CDT Tue Sep 1 2020/ /Wednesday Through Next Monday/ The atypical, detached longwave trough signature looks to remain overhead and nearby to our west Wednesday and Thursday before more normal and higher mid level heights resume in time for much of the Labor Day Weekend. Though this system overall will be weakening across the area by the end of the week, strong early September insolation, low convective inhibition, residual weak ascent, and near max precipitable water values across the area. This pattern set up will maintain scattered showers and storms with localized heavy rainfall and continued, isolated instances of flooding across the area. We're not expecting any severe weather late in the week, but certainly can't rule out a strong storm or two with gusty winds. In addition, there's a good bet mainstem rivers across the area and their headwaters will also receive plenty of runoff with the possibility of ongoing river flooding as well as we move into the late week period. Now the good news. Abundant cloud cover, rainfall, and lower than normal mid level heights will result in high temperatures at least 5-15 degrees below normal, outside of possibly eastern Central Texas on Wednesday. High temperatures on Wednesday will likely range from the lower 80s along the immediate Red River Valley to the lower-mid 90s across eastern Central Texas. Highs in the mid 80s to lower 90s will be the rule Thursday and Friday. The southern CONUS mid level ridge looks to try to re-establish itself across the region for the Labor Day Weekend, but we'll continue to see a weakness hanging around or just west of the area if EPS/GEFS ensemble member projections come to fruition. That said, high temperatures will remain near to below normal with highs between 85-95 degrees for the holiday weekend. Low, mainly diurnal rain chances hang around (especially on Saturday), but by no means will it be a washout. Still, it's something to think about if you're planning outdoor festivities. Though beyond our 7-day range on Monday, deterministic medium range models and their ensembles show an increase in rain chances again and potentially our first real Fall-like cold front and airmass by mid-late next week! A deepening, full-latitudinal long wave pattern will set up over the Plains into the Midwest and Mississippi Valley next week, with the GFS slightly deeper and cooler than the Euro. It's quite possible we'll see highs 75-85 degrees in about 10 days or toward the middle of the month. Yes, I know it's early so will try not to get everybody's hopes up, but possibly, just possibly, maybe the recent triple digit and oppressive heat will be history. One can only hope. 05/ && .AVIATION... /NEW/ /12Z TAFs/ MVFR stratus has overspread much of the region this morning. There is some uncertainty on how persistent it will be, but given the moist low-level profiles that are in place, and the strengthening low-level jet, opted to prevail MVFR through mid-morning. Expecting widespread SHRA/TSRA to develop west of the Metroplex later this afternoon, with impacts likely to the Bowie and Glen Rose arrival gates after 18Z. TSRA is likely to begin impacting the Metroplex terminals after 22Z, but with some uncertainty remaining on precise timing, continued to show TEMPO TSRA for this issuance. As timing becomes more certain, this will likely need to be upgraded to prevailing TSRA. Despite the uncertainties in timing, major impacts are expected at all Metroplex terminals some time after 22Z, with at least moderate impacts persisting through the end of the TAF period. KACT...The timing and expected coverage of any TSRA is far less certain across Central Texas. Expect at least some VCTS after 21Z, but will defer any decisions on TEMPO or prevailing TSRA to later issuances. Godwin && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Dallas-Ft. Worth 94 75 85 73 90 / 80 90 80 60 50 Waco 99 76 90 74 92 / 60 70 70 40 50 Paris 86 73 81 72 83 / 80 80 80 60 50 Denton 92 74 83 71 88 / 80 90 80 60 50 McKinney 92 74 84 72 88 / 80 90 80 60 50 Dallas 95 75 85 74 90 / 70 90 80 60 50 Terrell 96 74 87 74 89 / 70 80 80 60 50 Corsicana 96 76 89 74 89 / 60 70 70 40 50 Temple 99 75 91 73 92 / 50 60 60 40 50 Mineral Wells 94 71 85 70 89 / 80 90 80 40 50 && .FWD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for TXZ103>107-117>123- 131>135-144>148-157>162-174-175. Flash Flood Watch through Thursday morning for TXZ091>095- 100>107-116>120-123. && 37/05
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Fort Worth TX 858 AM CDT Tue Sep 1 2020 TXZ091>095-100>107-115>123-129>135-141>148-156>162-174-175-021100- 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- 858 AM CDT Tue Sep 1 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for North and Central Texas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Morning thunderstorms with heavy rainfall will impact areas mainly north and west of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The primary concern with the activity through midday will be flooding issues. More widespread thunderstorms are expected later today, particularly across parts of North Texas. Some thunderstorms may be severe, with damaging winds and hail being the main threats. A couple of rounds of thunderstorms containing very heavy rainfall are also expected. This likely will lead to instances of flash flooding across North Texas. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for most areas north of I-20 through Thursday morning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Thunderstorm chances will continue through the end of the week. Localized flash flooding will be the main concern, though gusty winds and frequent lightning will accompany the stronger storms. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Limited spotter activation may be requested across parts of North Texas beginning midday and through tonight. Any reports of flash flooding are also appreciated.
The Dallas/Ft Worth radar (KFWS), 136 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:29 UTC.
6 flood, 4 flash flood, 3 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
Grayson County Sheriff's Office reported that roads west of the city of Sherman along Highway 82 were under water.
A public report indicated at least a foot of water covering streets near the University of North Texas with vehicles becoming stuck on the flooded roads.
Lightning started a house fire in the Boyd area of Wise County.
Lightning started a house fire in the 7000 block of Rainbow Falls Drive in Frisco. The origin of the fire was from the roof. There was fire damage to the roof, attic, and second floor. There was smoke and water damage throughout the structure. The damage is estimated at $500,000.
A couple died in an early morning house fire that fire investigators determined was started by lightning.
Bell County Sheriff's Office reported that many low lying areas and roads were flooded in the cities of Killeen, Belton, and Temple.
A public report indicated street flooding approximately 7 miles north-northeast of the city of DeLeon, TX.
A public report indicated street flooding 1 mile northwest of the city of De Leon, TX.
Law enforcement reported widespread instances of low-lying roads being flooded in and around Dublin and much of Erath County.
Emergency management reported many low-lying areas flooded across the county.
Emergency management reported water over several roads around the city of Thornton, TX.
A public report indicated that Barkley Creek was running out of its banks near the intersection of County Road 2080 and County Road 2200.
A local newspaper reported multiple county roads under water and a high water rescue on Highway 580.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning, Bell | 2020-09-02 | 92 | Male | Permanent Home | Indirect |
| Lightning, Bell | 2020-09-02 | 91 | Female | Permanent Home | Indirect |
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, September 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: 919181, 921289, 922826, 920963, 920964, 921290, 919183, 919184, 919185, 919186, 919193, 921291, 921292.