Summary of thunderstorms on May 22-23, 2016

National Weather Service Lubbock Significant Weather Events

May 23rd Tornado

	Tornado near Turkey Texas - May 23, 2016
Time:	945 pm - 1006 pm
Track:	from 9 miles southeast of Turkey to 2 miles east of Turkey
Path Length:	8-9 miles
Width:	approx. 0.5 miles
Max. Winds:	138 mph
Tornado Rating:	EF-3
Details:	This tornado was apparently a large, wedge multi-vortex tornado that was nearly stationary for a few minutes and then began moving slowly northwest toward Turkey. Damage indicators were sparse in this part of Hall County. The wind estimate was derived from several steel pylons (supporting electrical lines) that were bent to the ground with winds estimated to be in the range of 135 to 140 mph. This puts this tornado in the lower end of the EF3 range which is 136 to 165 mph.

Tornado Track and Storm Reports from 5/23/2016

You can download the KML file plotted on the above map HERE. The damage survey information can also be viewed on the Damage Survey Viewer at: https://apps.dat.noaa.gov/StormDamage/DamageViewer/ Be sure to choose "Lubbock" as the office of choice and then set the proper time period that includes May 23rd in the upper right portion of the viewer.

Public Information Statement:

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LUBBOCK TX

618 PM CDT TUE MAY 24 2016
...NWS Damage Survey for 05/23/2016 Tornado Event...
.Significant Tornado Near Turkey, TX...
Rating: EF-3

Estimated Peak Wind: 138 mph
Path length: 9 miles

Path width: Up to 1/2 mile

Fatalities: 0

Injuries: 0
Start date: May 23, 2016

Start time: 945 PM*

Start location: 10 miles W of Northfield, TX / Motley County
End date: May 23, 2016

End time: 1006 PM

End location: 2 miles E of Turkey, TX / Hall County
A significant tornado developed from a stationary supercell in

far north-central Motley County late Monday evening, before

accelerating north and northwest into southwest Hall County.

This tornado grew into a large, multi-vortex tornado that moved

over open ranch and canyon lands before dissipating east of Turkey.
A NWS storm survey noted several steel pylon electric poles bent

to the ground. This damage is consistent with winds estimated

in the range of 135 to 140 mph. This puts this tornado in the lower

end of the EF3 range which is 136 to 165 mph. The storm survey

team also noted uprooted trees from afar, but personnel were

unable to survey this due to flooding and sparse roads.
* This start time is estimated from radar. Multiple storm spotter

reports are still being evaluated for a more definitive start time.

The final summary of this event with any corrections to this PNS

will be listed in Storm Data.
EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale Classifies Tornadoes into

the following categories.
EF0...Weak......65 to 85 MPH

EF1...Weak......86 to 110 MPH

EF2...Strong....111 to 135 MPH

EF3...Strong....136 to 165 MPH

EF4...Violent...166 To 200 MPH

EF5...Violent...>200 MPH
Note:

The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to

change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS

Storm Data.

Additional Damage Pictures:

	
			The above pictures of tree, boat and gate damage were taken about 6 to 7 miles east of Turkey. The pictures are courtesy of Lisa Fuston.
		
			Radar images captured by the Lubbock WSR-88D:
		
			The left image is base reflectivity and the right image is base velocity from the Lubbock WSR-88D while the tornado was in progress southeast of Turkey at 9:57 pm on 23 May 2016.



The above pictures of tree, boat and gate damage were taken about 6 to 7 miles east of Turkey. The pictures are courtesy of Lisa Fuston.


The left image is base reflectivity and the right image is base velocity from the Lubbock WSR-88D while the tornado was in progress southeast of Turkey at 9:57 pm on 23 May 2016.