An unusual strong Canadian Cold Front and an upper level low parked across the Four Corners resulted in very heavy rainfall in a short period time and a few severe weather reports in portions of the northern Big Country. S.
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 SJT wrote it up.
An unusual strong Canadian Cold Front and an upper level low parked across the Four Corners resulted in very heavy rainfall in a short period time and a few severe weather reports in portions of the northern Big Country. This heavy rain flooded low water crossings and even U.S. 277 across the region and caused Lake Stamford to flood. Two occupants in a vehicle went missing on September 9. They both drowned as they attempted to cross a flooded low water crossing on Red Mud Creek in Jones County. One body was recovered on September 10 and the other was recovered on September 16.
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 San Angelo, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 8, 11:52 AM CST, 3 hours 3 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service San Angelo TX 1252 PM CDT Tue Sep 8 2020 ...New AVIATION... .SHORT TERM... (Today and Tonight) Issued at 420 AM CDT Tue Sep 8 2020 As of this writing, it is about T-minus 24 hours until the end of summer in West Central Texas. All eyes are watching as a strong Canadian cold front, currently located across southern Kansas and southeast Colorado, makes its way southward. Meanwhile, ahead of the front, temperatures across West Central Texas were in the mid 70s, with steady south winds of 10-20 mph. Much of today will feel like a typical late summer day. High temperatures will reach to around 90 degrees with steady south winds. The only exception is the increase in cloud cover by late afternoon due to 850mb moisture advection and a few showers or thunderstorms that develop. Late this evening, the front should start to reach our counties in the Big Country, then traverse southward to the Concho Valley around 3am. This will result in winds shifting out of the north at 10-20 mph and temperatures falling from the 70s into the 50s and low 60s overnight. This rapid change in airmass and subsequent lifting, along with a north-south axis of PWAT values around 2 inches, will produce widespread rain and embedded thunderstorms no later than midnight. Rainfall amounts overnight will range from a half inch to as much as two inches, especially across the Big Country. This could lead to overnight flooding concerns, especially in low-lying areas. && .LONG TERM... (Wednesday through next Monday) Issued at 420 AM CDT Tue Sep 8 2020 A closed upper low will remain nearly stationary over the Four Corners region on Wednesday. At the surface, the cold front will push south of the forecast area during the day, with numerous showers and some thunderstorms expected areawide, as moisture is lifted up and over the frontal boundary. Rain chances will remain high across the area Wednesday night into Thursday, as weak disturbances lift northeast across the area in advance of the upper low. A very moist airmass will remain in place through the period, with precipitable water values between 1.5 and 2.0 inches. This will result in heavy rainfall potential across the entire area from Wednesday through Thursday. Widespread rainfall amounts between 2 and 4 inches are expected, with locally higher amounts possible. As was mentioned previously, the main concern will be flooding and this potential will need to be monitored. Precipitation chances will gradually diminish Friday into Friday night, as the upper low lifts northeast across the Rockies and northern Plains. As for temperatures, a much cooler airmass will filter in behind the cold front on Wednesday. Temperatures were lowered some from the previous forecast, to align more with the latest NAM guidance. Highs should range from the upper 50s and lower 60s north, to the upper 60s and lower 70s over far southern counties. Chilly conditions can be expected Wednesday night, with lows in the 50s. Abundant cloud cover and rainfall will keep temperatures cool on Thursday, with highs in the mid and upper 60s. Temperatures on Friday will be warmer, with highs mainly in the upper 70s and lower 80s. Weak upper ridging will be in place from eastern Texas into the Gulf Coast and southeastern states over the weekend, with a relative weakness in place across the forecast area. Models also show another cold front affecting the area by Sunday. Thus, low rain chances will remain in the forecast from Saturday through Monday. Temperatures will remain cool, with highs in the low to mid 80s and overnight lows in the 60s. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1239 PM CDT Tue Sep 8 2020 Other than current localized MVFR CIGs (which should clear to VFR by 20Z) and some potential isolated SHRA/TSRA through 00Z Wed (which could produce brief MVFR/IFR conditions), VFR conditions are expected through 00Z Wed. 00Z Wed through 09Z Wed, widespread IFR to local MVFR CIGs likely to develop, with IFR conditions then continuing through 18Z Wed. Also, areas of TSRA are likely to develop between 00Z Wed and 06Z Wed, becoming widespread after 06Z Wed. TSRA will be capable of producing LIFR/VLIFR conditions in heavy rainfall, with gusty, erratic winds possible too. As far as winds go, winds will be S to SE 12-15 KT gusting 22-28 KT through early evening, before a cold front comes down from the northwest direction starting 03Z Wed and not making it into the Heartland and Northwest Hill Country until after 18Z Wed. Winds behind the front will be from the N at around 15 KT with gusts to 25 KT. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Abilene 55 61 51 58 / 80 90 80 60 San Angelo 57 63 55 60 / 80 90 90 70 Junction 70 72 59 63 / 70 90 80 70 Brownwood 67 68 56 62 / 80 90 80 60 Sweetwater 50 57 52 60 / 90 100 80 60 Ozona 61 64 55 60 / 80 90 90 70 && .SJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...SK LONG TERM....24 AVIATION...SJH
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service San Angelo TX 240 PM CDT Tue Sep 8 2020 TXZ049-054-064>066-071>073-076>078-098-099-113-114-127-128-139- 140-154-155-168>170-091945- Fisher-Nolan-Sterling-Coke-Runnels-Irion-Tom Green-Concho- Crockett-Schleicher-Sutton-Haskell-Throckmorton-Jones-Shackelford- Taylor-Callahan-Coleman-Brown-McCulloch-San Saba-Menard-Kimble- Mason- 240 PM CDT Tue Sep 8 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of west central Texas. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and early evening. Lightning strikes, brief downpours and locally gusty winds are possible. A strong cold front will bring high chances for thunderstorms tonight, mainly after midnight. Some storms could be strong, with lightning, gusty winds and heavy downpours possible. Heavy rain could result in flooding concerns overnight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday A strong cold front will continue to bring chances for thunderstorms Wednesday through Thursday evening. Some storms could be strong, with lightning, gusty winds and heavy downpours possible. Heavy rain could result in increased flooding concerns. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated at this time.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service San Angelo TX 240 PM CDT Tue Sep 8 2020 TXZ049-054-064>066-071>073-076>078-098-099-113-114-127-128-139- 140-154-155-168>170-091230- Fisher-Nolan-Sterling-Coke-Runnels-Irion-Tom Green-Concho- Crockett-Schleicher-Sutton-Haskell-Throckmorton-Jones-Shackelford- Taylor-Callahan-Coleman-Brown-McCulloch-San Saba-Menard-Kimble- Mason- Including the cities of ROTAN, ROBY, SWEETWATER, STERLING CITY, ROBERT LEE, BRONTE, BALLINGER, WINTERS, MERTZON, SAN ANGELO, EDEN, OZONA, ELDORADO, SONORA, HASKELL, THROCKMORTON, WOODSON, STAMFORD, ANSON, HAMLIN, ALBANY, ABILENE, CLYDE, BAIRD, CROSS PLAINS, COLEMAN, BROWNWOOD, BRADY, SAN SABA, MENARD, JUNCTION, and MASON 240 PM CDT Tue Sep 8 2020 ...Abrupt Change in the Weather with Colder and Wet conditions Tonight through Thursday... An early season Canadian Cold Front will move through West Central Texas Tonight into Wednesday, shifting the winds to the north at 15 to 30 mph and bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms to the region. The highest chances for widespread moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms will be very early Wednesday morning through Wednesday night. Heavy showers and thunderstorms could continue through the day Thursday as well. Total rainfall amounts look to be around 2 to 4 inches, with local amounts of 6 inches. The heavy rain could lead to increased flooding concerns for urban areas and small streams. Rises along area rivers are likely, and there is the potential for minor to possible moderate flooding along the Upper Brazos, Upper Colorado and Rio Grande tributaries. The combination of gusty winds, colder temperatures and rainfall will make it feel unusually cool for this time of year, dropping wind chill temperatures into the low 50s Wednesday and Thursday mornings. This may impact livestock, especially newly shorn sheep in West Central Texas. SJH
The Dyess AFB radar (KDYX), 84 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:56 UTC.
2 flash flood, 2 flood, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet located just northwest of Haskell measured a wind gust to 63 mph.
Water was reported over the road at U.S. Highways 277 and 83 on the south side of Anson.
Very heavy rains fell in a short time between 530 and 630 PM CDT, on September 8, and resulted in flash flooding across Jones County. On Wednesday September 9th, 2020, the Jones County Sheriff's Office responded to an abandoned vehicle call near FM1226 and County Road 266 on Red Mud Creek. The Sheriff said these individuals went missing around Noon CDT on 9/9/20. The vehicle was located just off a roadway in high level and rapid moving water on FM1226 just south of County Road 266. With the assistance of Anson Volunteer Fire Department, Texas Game Wardens and Anson EMS, it was determined that the vehicle was not occupied. Due to weather conditions, water level and speed in which the water was flowing, personnel were instructed to return to the area the following morning, 9/10/2020, during daylight hours. Just before noon Thursday, September 10, 2020, a resident used his drone to help rescuers scan the area. They located the body 100 yards away from the car in a flooded field near a fence. They found the deceased body in a field the next day on 9/10 and it was a 71 year old male. At approximately 3:30 pm, on 9/16/20, the body of a 62 year old male, who was a passenger in the same vehicle, was recovered in the Red Mud Creek area.
A low water crossing at Walnut Grove road and Ricci Acres was flooded with three feet of deep water.
Water from Lake Stamford entered several homes near the lake.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flood, Jones | 2020-09-09 | 71 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
| Flood, Jones | 2020-09-09 | 62 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
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: 920141, 919269, 920521, 920121, 920144.