High Wind in Texas, March 24, 2024

Name: High Wind in Texas, March 24, 2024
Start: 2024-03-24T11:06
End: 2024-03-24T19:25
Location: Texas

March 24, 2024 · NWS LUB · 20 events in 19 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 20 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 20

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS LUB wrote it up.

A large and powerful storm system emerging from the Intermountain West generated strong winds and blowing dust for the southern High Plains. At times, the dust caused visibility to drop below two miles. The most intense winds, gusting from 60 to 70 mph, targeted the western and northwestern South Plains into the southern Texas Panhandle. A peak gust of 77 mph was measured by the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet near Sundown (Cochran County). The fierce winds did cause damage in spots, including toppling a pontoon in Wolfforth (Lubbock County) and damaging a shed in western Lubbock County. Many tree limbs were downed, while reports of uprooted trees were also reported. When a Pacific cold front and stronger lift encountered better low-level moisture, scattered thunderstorms erupted and tracked quickly eastward over portions of the Rolling Plains. Storms became severe once they moved east of the Rolling Plains.

High wind gusts from the Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet network are below:

The following high wind reports are from Automated Surface Observing Stations (ASOS) and Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS):

73 mph at Lubbock International Airport (Lubbock County),|67 mph at Levelland Municipal Airport (Hockley County), |60 mph at Childress Municipal Airport (Childress County), and|58 mph at Denver City Airport (Yoakum County).

Sustained high winds of 40 mph or greater were observed by the Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet sites below:

What forecasters said that day

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 Mar 24, 5:32 AM CST, 5 hours 34 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 24, 5:32 AM CST, 5 hours 34 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lubbock TX
632 AM CDT Sun Mar 24 2024

...New AVIATION...

.SHORT TERM...
(Today and tonight)
Issued at 343 AM CDT Sun Mar 24 2024

Winds remain the main story for today. The base of a deep 500 mb
trough will move across the area, along with a potent ~50 kt low-
level jet. Winds will gradually increase this morning, before
peaking this afternoon under the LLJ core. Forecast soundings
indicate winds aloft mixing down from around 550-600 mb. Increased
high cloud cover in the afternoon may somewhat curtail peak gusts,
however gusts to 70 mph are not unreasonable. Winds will be slightly
lower off the Caprock, however could still gust as high as 60 mph. A
High Wind Warning and Red Flag Warning remain in effect for much of
the forecast area. The thunderstorm threat remains minimal, mainly
due to a lack of available moisture. However strongest forcing
associated with the aforementioned upper trough combined with a
slight more southerly oriented flow may lead to a few isolated to
scattered storms across the far southeastern Panhandle and
eastern Rolling Plains. These are not expected to become severe.
Highs will top out in the upper 60s to upper 70s. Winds will
diminish by the evening, though remain elevated into the overnight
hours. Blowing dust is also a concern and may reduce visibilities
at times. Use caution if traveling.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Monday through Saturday)
Issued at 343 AM CDT Sun Mar 24 2024

Upper-level troughing will remain over the forecast area through the
middle of the week helping to keep our temperatures cool along with
a few chances of light precipitation. Monday morning a surface cold
front will be moving south through the area. This front will bring
colder air into the region along with an increase in clouds. This
will knock high temperatures down 10-25 degrees below what we
observe today with the southwest Texas Panhandle having high temps
in the lower 40s and the Rolling Plains in the lower 60s. With lift
being enhanced along and just behind the front a few light rain
showers will be possible especially for locations on the Caprock.
Surface high pressure will settle into the forecast area Monday
night which despite the overcast skies should allow temperatures to
drop near to below freezing area wide. Temperatures will remain cool
on Tuesday with high temperatures mainly in the upper 50s to lower
60s. As another shortwave moves through the upper-level trough
Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday, isentropic ascent will
increase which should lead to another round of light rain showers.
Upper-level ridging will begin to move over the forecast area on
Thursday and remain overhead through Saturday which will help to
boost temperatures back above normal through next weekend. /WI

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 631 AM CDT Sun Mar 24 2024

There is high confidence for very strong southwest wind gusts at
all terminals today. Winds will gradually increase this morning
and gusts are expected to peak near 60 kts this afternoon before
beginning to diminish in the evening. Visibility may also be
reduced to MVFR with blowing dust, particularly at KLBB and KPVW.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 343 AM CDT Sun Mar 24 2024

A Red Flag Warning remains in effect from 11 AM to 10 PM today for
the South Plains and much of the far southern TX Panhandle with
sustained winds of 35 to 45 mph expected and gusts to 70 mph.
Fuels are slightly more moist elsewhere and despite temperatures
in the upper 70s off the Caprock, a Fire Danger Statement will be
in effect for counties not included in the Red Flag. Humidities
for all areas will fall to near 15%. Winds will gradually
diminish through tonight but remain gusty into the overnight
hours Monday morning. A cold front will move through the area
Monday morning which will bring a northerly wind shift along with
much cooler temperatures.

&&

.LUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Red Flag Warning from 11 AM this morning to 10 PM CDT this
evening for TXZ021>025-027>030-033>036-039>042.

High Wind Warning from 11 AM this morning to 10 PM CDT this
evening for TXZ021>037-039>042.

Wind Advisory from 11 AM this morning to 10 PM CDT this evening
for TXZ038-043-044.

&&

SHORT TERM...19
LONG TERM....58
AVIATION...19

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 24, 2:59 AM CST, 8 hours 7 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lubbock TX
359 AM CDT Sun Mar 24 2024

TXZ021>044-250900-
Parmer-Castro-Swisher-Briscoe-Hall-Childress-Bailey-Lamb-Hale-Floyd-
Motley-Cottle-Cochran-Hockley-Lubbock-Crosby-Dickens-King-Yoakum-
Terry-Lynn-Garza-Kent-Stonewall-
359 AM CDT Sun Mar 24 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the South Plains, Rolling
Plains, and the far Southern Texas Panhandle.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Sustained southwest winds of 35 to 45 mph with gusts to 70 mph are
expected over most of the region today. A High Wind Warning is in
effect from 11 AM until 10 PM for the far southern Texas Panhandle,
the South Plains, and portions of the Rolling Plains. These winds may
result in significant visibility reductions from blowing dust,
especially on the Caprock.

Slightly weaker winds are expected across the southern Rolling
Plains, and a Wind Advisory is in effect for King, Kent, and
Stonewall Counties from 11 AM until 10 PM today.

Critical fire weather conditions are expected across most of the
far southern Texas Panhandle and South Plains today. A Red Flag
Warning is in effect from 11 AM until 10 PM for areas on the Caprock
and most of the far southern Texas Panhandle, and a Fire Danger
Statement is in effect for the remainder of the area.

There is a low chance of thunderstorms across the far southeastern
Texas Panhandle and eastern Rolling Plains on Sunday afternoon.
Widespread severe weather is not currently expected.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Light snow is possible Monday morning across the far southwestern
Texas Panhandle however no accumulations are expected at this time.

Elevated fire weather conditions may return to portions of the
forecast area late in the week.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

20 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Bailey

When: March 24, 11:06 AM CST to 5:40 PM CST
Where: Bailey forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.069, -102.830 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Cochran

When: March 24, 11:26 AM CST to 5:20 PM CST
Where: Cochran forecast zone
Measured: 67 kt (77 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 33.604, -102.828 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Motley

When: March 24, 11:28 AM CST to 5:23 PM CST
Where: Motley forecast zone
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.074, -100.780 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Yoakum

When: March 24, 11:35 AM CST to 6:24 PM CST
Where: Yoakum forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 33.173, -102.828 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Lamb

When: March 24, 12:10 PM CST to 5:25 PM CST
Where: Lamb forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.069, -102.352 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Castro

When: March 24, 12:14 PM CST to 3:21 PM CST
Where: Castro forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.530, -102.262 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Swisher

When: March 24, 12:25 PM CST to 3:34 PM CST
Where: Swisher forecast zone
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.530, -101.735 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Lubbock

When: March 24, 1:00 PM CST to 7:15 PM CST
Where: Lubbock forecast zone
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 33.610, -101.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Hale

When: March 24, 1:24 PM CST to 5:26 PM CST
Where: Hale forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.071, -101.827 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Lynn

When: March 24, 1:31 PM CST to 7:25 PM CST
Where: Lynn forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) measured sustained
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 33.177, -101.816 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Briscoe

When: March 24, 1:43 PM CST to 5:13 PM CST
Where: Briscoe forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.530, -101.209 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Hall

When: March 24, 1:49 PM CST to 4:18 PM CST
Where: Hall forecast zone
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.531, -100.681 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Parmer

When: March 24, 2:01 PM CST to 3:26 PM CST
Where: Parmer forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.530, -102.784 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Childress

When: March 24, 2:11 PM CST
Where: Childress forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 34.529, -100.208 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Garza

When: March 24, 2:31 PM CST to 4:45 PM CST
Where: Garza forecast zone
Measured: 36 kt (41 mph) measured sustained
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 33.180, -101.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Floyd

When: March 24, 2:37 PM CST to 4:12 PM CST
Where: Floyd forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.072, -101.303 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Terry

When: March 24, 3:20 PM CST to 5:57 PM CST
Where: Terry forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 33.174, -102.335 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Crosby

When: March 24, 3:59 PM CST to 4:43 PM CST
Where: Crosby forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 33.615, -101.300 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Dickens

When: March 24, 4:24 PM CST to 4:34 PM CST
Where: Dickens forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 33.617, -100.779 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Motley

When: March 24, 4:34 PM CST to 5:58 PM CST
Where: Motley forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) measured sustained
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.074, -100.780 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Texas in 2024 Every state in 2024 This day in weather history Warnings in Texas, March 2024

Sources

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: 1160781, 1159915, 1159917, 1159934, 1159916, 1160779, 1159926, 1160789, 1160778, 1160798, 1160783, 1159919, 1160775, 1160886, 1160790, 1160786, 1160780, 1160782, 1160788, 1160791.