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Destructive wind and giant hail impact the South Plains |
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| Supercell thunderstorm near Pettit Tuesday evening (28 May 2024). The image is courtesy of Quincy Vagell. | |
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A dryline, in combination with a westward moving outflow boundary, served as a focus for thunderstorm development Tuesday afternoon (28 May). The initial activity formed over the western South Plains and southwest Texas Panhandle. Warm temperatures, in the 90s, combined with good low-level moisture, provided plenty of instability to fuel the thunderstorms. In addition, vertical wind shear was sufficient to support storm organization, and several of the thunderstorms did begin to rotate shortly after forming. |
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| RGB "True Color" satellite loop valid from 12:56 pm to 3:16 pm on Tuesday, 28 May 2024. | |
| Both right moving (cyclonic) and left moving (anticyclonic) supercells (rotating thunderstorms) unfolded over the western South Plains. The most intense storms produced hail, and in a few cases very large hail, along with torrential rain and strong to severe wind gusts. | |
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| Lubbock WSR-88D radar animation valid from 1:50 pm to 6:14 pm on Tuesday (28 May 2024). An additional radar animation, valid from 7:01 pm to 9:58 pm on Tuesday, can be VIEWED HERE. | |
| One particularly robust storm tossed giant hail over the west-central South Plains. Baseball to softball, and even DVD, sized hail was observed from a storm as it tracked slowly southeastward through Hockley County. | |
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| Giant hail that fell northwest of Levelland Tuesday evening (28 May 2024). The picture is courtesy of Matthew Cappucci. | |
| The storm weakened modestly as it continued to move southeastward, but still dropped golf ball sized hail as it passed near Wolfforth Tuesday evening. | |
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| View of the giant hail-producing supercell thunderstorms as it moved to the southwest of Lubbock Tuesday evening. | |
| Even outside of the primary thunderstorm cores, strong and severe wind gusts occurred on the backside of a decaying rain area over the south-central Texas Panhandle. The West Texas Mesonet (WTM) site near Hart measured a peak gust of 71 mph at 5:07 pm, while the WTM site located on the south side of Plainview recorded a peak gust of 70 mph at 6:33 pm. The severe wind gusts did down several power poles in and around Plainview. Not to be outdone, the WTM near Aiken recorded a gust of 77 mph at 6:58 pm. | |
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| 24-hour radar-estimated max hail size (in millimeters) ending at 7 am on Wednesday, 29 May 2024. | |
| The thunderstorm activity gradually faded over the South Plains during the mid-late evening hours after producing the pockets of giant hail and damaging winds. | |
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| Baseball size hail 12 miles southwest of Littlefield on Tuesday evening (28 May 2024). The picture is courtesy of Brandon Osterhout. | |
| In fact, those venturing outside Tuesday evening, at least in Lubbock, were treated to a fine ending to the day as the backside of the departing thunderstorms were illuminated by the setting sun. Generally, the saying goes that a red sky at night is a sailor's delight. However, this was not the case on this night as additional thunderstorm development over eastern New Mexico intensified and then tracked southeastward through the South Plains through early Wednesday morning, generating intense damaging winds, torrential downpours and wind-driven hail as it did so. | |
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| A beautiful end to the day as the backside of the departing (and weakening) thunderstorms were illuminated by the setting sun, as viewed from Lubbock, Thursday evening (28 May 2024). | |
| Specifically, a long-lived supercell thunderstorm developed near Tucumcari, New Mexico Tuesday evening and proceeded to move south and southeast overnight. As this storm entered western Bailey County in Texas around midnight CDT, it transitioned into a bow echo that continued to move southeast for the next four hours, accompanied by destructive winds, wind-driven hail and torrential rain. The storm finally weakened to below severe limits near Snyder around 4:30 AM CDT. | |
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| Infrared satellite loop valid from 2:01 pm on Tuesday to 6:11 am on Wednesday (28-29 May 2024). | |
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The most destructive straight-line winds occurred in Levelland from around 1:30 am until 1:40 am, with a second swath of intense winds impacting Tahoka shortly before 3 am. An NWS storm survey team documented extensive wind damage primarily on the north and east sides of Levelland, with additional damage also occurring in and around Tahoka. In addition to wind damage, a few homes in Levelland had floodwaters infiltrate the structures resulting in water damage with many more suffering rainwater damage from broken windows or damaged roofs. A total of eight people in Levelland received minor injuries from broken glass, but all were released from treatment. |
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| Lubbock WSR-88D radar animation valid from 11:12 pm on Tuesday to 3:24 am on Wednesday (28-29 May 2024). An additional radar animation, valid from 11:58 pm on Tuesday to 6:21 am on Wednesday (28-29 May), can be VIEWED HERE. | |
| The survey team began northwest of Levelland and observed damage to utility poles, trees and center pivots. Damage escalated in both coverage and intensity east of Highway 385 with a concentrated area of damage noted in and around Kauffman Park. Here, winds of 90 mph to 120 mph caused partial failures to some roofs and completely destroyed several wooden outbuildings. Many homes and vehicles suffered broken windows with roughly one dozen trees uprooted. One home lost roughly 30 percent of its roof and insulation while a wooden framed workshop in its backyard was completely destroyed and blown two homes away. Numerous wooden and metal fences were also heavily damaged or destroyed. The Penny Newman cotton gin on the east side of Levelland suffered total destruction from winds estimated around 110 mph. |
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| Significant damage observed on the north and east side of Levelland. The pictures were taken by the NWS Lubbock Damage Survey Team Wednesday morning (29 May 2024). Damage ranged from sign and roof damage to the complete destruction of several sheds and buildings, including the Penny Newman Building in the picture immediately above. A kmz file with the damage survey results can be DOWNLOADED HERE. Alternatively, you can view the damage survey findings at: https://apps.dat.noaa.gov/StormDamage/DamageViewer/ | |
| As the storm progressed southeastward, the WTM northeast of Tahoka measured a 95 mph gust at 256 am. This gust coincided with the tip of the bow echo that continued to move southeast. The storm survey team observed 20 center pivots flipped over and damaged along with several newly installed power poles primarily on the north and east sides of Tahoka. In Tahoka, damage was relegated to some uprooted trees and numerous fallen tree limbs, with some minor structural damage noted to roofs and siding. No additional damage indicators were available beyond Highway 380 and County Road Y east of Tahoka | |
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| Additional damage observed on the north and east side of Levelland. The pictures were taken by the NWS Lubbock Damage Survey Team Wednesday morning (29 May 2024). Damage ranged from sign and roof damage to the complete destruction of several sheds and buildings. A kmz file with the damage survey results can be DOWNLOADED HERE. Alternatively, you can view the damage survey findings at: https://apps.dat.noaa.gov/StormDamage/DamageViewer/ | |
| In addition to the damaging wind and hail, heavy rain accompanied the thunderstorm activity. Many locations, outside of the southwest South Plains, recorded at least a little rainfall, while the heaviest rain fell in a swath paralleling, but just south of, Highway 84, where the most destructive overnight thunderstorm tracked. Rain totals of 1 to 2+ inches were common within the heaviest band, with the Tahoka WTM measuring 2.14 inches of rain to go along with the 95 mph wind gust. Another pocket of heavy rain, from 1 to 2 inches, also affected parts of Stonewall County, including Aspermont. | |
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| 24-hour radar-estimated and bias-corrected rainfall ending at 7 am on Monday, 20 May 2024. The rain measured by the West Texas Mesonet over this same period can be VIEWED HERE, with a closer look at the Lubbock area FOUND HERE. | |
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Rain totals were lighter around Lubbock, varying from a half to three quarters of an inch on the southwest side of town to a tenth or two on the northeast side. Officially, the Lubbock Airport only measured 0.14 inches from this event, though it also missed out on the hail, while the southwest side of Lubbock received one or two rounds of small hail (generally at or below quarter size). Storm reports collected from this very active 12-hour stretch, from Tuesday afternoon to early Wednesday morning, can be found below: |
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Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lubbock TX
1106 AM CDT Wed May 29 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0225 PM Hail Wellman 33.05N 102.43W
05/28/2024 E1.00 Inch Terry TX Public
Up to ten minutes of hail ranging from pea
to quarter size at Southwest Cotton Growers.
Began around 225 PM and ended at 235 PM.
0240 PM Hail 7 NW Needmore 34.10N 102.83W
05/28/2024 E2.50 Inch Bailey TX Storm Chaser
Corrects time from previous report. At
intersection of 2487 and 1154. Video shared
on social media.
0257 PM Hail 9 NW Needmore 34.12N 102.86W
05/28/2024 E1.75 Inch Bailey TX Storm Chaser
Video shared via social media.
0259 PM Hail 7 NW Needmore 34.10N 102.83W
05/28/2024 E2.50 Inch Bailey TX Storm Chaser
At intersection of 2487 and 1154. Video
shared on social media.
0307 PM Hail 7 N Pep 33.91N 102.58W
05/28/2024 E0.50 Inch Lamb TX Public
Report from mPING: Half-inch (0.50 in.).
0337 PM Hail 1 E Levelland 33.58N 102.35W
05/28/2024 E0.25 Inch Hockley TX Emergency Mngr
0339 PM Hail 1 WSW Friona 34.63N 102.74W
05/28/2024 E1.50 Inch Parmer TX Storm Chaser
0354 PM Hail 5 E Amherst 34.03N 102.33W
05/28/2024 E0.75 Inch Lamb TX Storm Chaser
0358 PM Hail 1.5 S Enochs 33.84N 102.76W
05/28/2024 E1.25 Inch Bailey TX Public
Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.).
0403 PM Hail 3 S Sundown 33.41N 102.49W
05/28/2024 E1.25 Inch Hockley TX Storm Chaser
0406 PM Hail 1 S Enochs 33.86N 102.76W
05/28/2024 E2.00 Inch Bailey TX Storm Chaser
0407 PM Hail 2 S Enochs 33.85N 102.76W
05/28/2024 E1.75 Inch Bailey TX Public
Report from mPING: Golf Ball (1.75 in.).
0423 PM Hail Pep 33.82N 102.56W
05/28/2024 M1.75 Inch Hockley TX Storm Chaser
0432 PM Hail 6 N Friona 34.73N 102.73W
05/28/2024 E0.88 Inch Parmer TX Storm Chaser
0433 PM Hail 1 S Pep 33.80N 102.56W
05/28/2024 E0.50 Inch Hockley TX Public
Report from mPING: Half-inch (0.50 in.).
0436 PM Hail 2 S Pep 33.79N 102.56W
05/28/2024 E0.75 Inch Hockley TX Public
Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.).
0443 PM Hail 2 S Pep 33.78N 102.56W
05/28/2024 E0.75 Inch Hockley TX Public
Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.).
0456 PM Hail 2 SE Pep 33.80N 102.54W
05/28/2024 E2.00 Inch Hockley TX Public
Report from mPING: Hen Egg (2.00 in.).
0457 PM Hail 4 ESE Pep 33.79N 102.50W
05/28/2024 E3.00 Inch Hockley TX Storm Chaser
0507 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 N Hart 34.42N 102.11W
05/28/2024 M71 MPH Castro TX Mesonet
Corrects previous non-tstm wnd gst report
time from 3 N Hart. Severe wind gusts
occurred from 5:02 pm to 5:07 pm, with the
peak gust at 5:07 pm. Measured by the TTU
mesonet.
0510 PM Hail 4 E Meadow 33.33N 102.14W
05/28/2024 E2.75 Inch Terry TX Storm Chaser
0512 PM Hail 3 E Meadow 33.33N 102.15W
05/28/2024 E1.75 Inch Terry TX Public
Report from mPING: Golf Ball (1.75 in.).
0525 PM Hail 4 N Whitharral 33.80N 102.33W
05/28/2024 E1.75 Inch Hockley TX Storm Chaser
0526 PM Hail 6 WSW New Home 33.30N 102.02W
05/28/2024 E1.25 Inch Lynn TX Storm Chaser
0551 PM Hail Anton 33.81N 102.16W
05/28/2024 E1.00 Inch Hockley TX Public
0556 PM Hail 6 S Pep 33.74N 102.53W
05/28/2024 E2.75 Inch Hockley TX Public
Report from mPING: Baseball (2.75 in.).
0602 PM Hail 2 SE Pep 33.79N 102.54W
05/28/2024 E1.00 Inch Hockley TX Public
Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
0603 PM Hail 8 NE Whiteface 33.69N 102.52W
05/28/2024 E3.25 Inch Hockley TX Public
Report from mPING: Baseball+ (3.25 in.).
0605 PM Hail 8 NE Whiteface 33.69N 102.52W
05/28/2024 E3.00 Inch Hockley TX Public
Report from mPING: Tea Cup (3.00 in.).
0606 PM Hail 1 WNW Tahoka 33.17N 101.81W
05/28/2024 E1.75 Inch Lynn TX CO-OP Observer
0609 PM Hail 3 W Tahoka 33.17N 101.85W
05/28/2024 E1.00 Inch Lynn TX Public
Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
0614 PM Hail 6 SSE Pep 33.73N 102.53W
05/28/2024 E4.50 Inch Hockley TX Storm Chaser
0620 PM Hail 1 N Tahoka 33.18N 101.80W
05/28/2024 E1.00 Inch Lynn TX Public
Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
0621 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Plainview 34.19N 101.72W
05/28/2024 Hale TX Public
Downed electric line poles in Plainview
Texas.
0625 PM Hail 7 NE Whiteface 33.68N 102.52W
05/28/2024 E5.00 Inch Hockley TX Storm Chaser
0628 PM Hail 5 E Whiteface 33.62N 102.53W
05/28/2024 E1.00 Inch Hockley TX Public
Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
0630 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 S Olton 34.09N 102.12W
05/28/2024 M80 MPH Lamb TX Mesonet
Measured by the TTU mesonet.
0633 PM Hail 5 W Levelland 33.60N 102.44W
05/28/2024 E3.25 Inch Hockley TX Public
Report from mPING: Baseball+ (3.25 in.).
0633 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 S Plainview 34.18N 101.72W
05/28/2024 M70 MPH Hale TX Mesonet
Corrects previous non-tstm wnd gst report
time for 1 S Plainview. Severe wind gusts
occurred, off and on, between 6:21 pm and
7:20 pm. Measured by the TTU mesonet.
0639 PM Hail 3 WNW Levelland 33.60N 102.41W
05/28/2024 E3.00 Inch Hockley TX Storm Chaser
0644 PM Hail 1 NNW Levelland 33.59N 102.37W
05/28/2024 E2.00 Inch Hockley TX Public
0645 PM Hail 3 N Morton 33.77N 102.76W
05/28/2024 E1.00 Inch Cochran TX Public
Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
0657 PM Hail 3 NE Morton 33.75N 102.73W
05/28/2024 E2.00 Inch Cochran TX Public
Report from mPING: Hen Egg (2.00 in.).
0658 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 WSW Aiken 34.13N 101.57W
05/28/2024 M77 MPH Hale TX Mesonet
Corrects previous non-tstm wnd gst report
time from 3 WSW Aiken. Severe gusts were
measured between 6:55 pm and 7:06 pm, with
the peak gust occurring at 6:58 pm. Measured
by the TTU mesonet.
0703 PM Hail 3 NE Morton 33.75N 102.71W
05/28/2024 E2.75 Inch Cochran TX Public
Report from mPING: Baseball (2.75 in.).
0706 PM Hail 3 S Smyer 33.55N 102.16W
05/28/2024 M1.50 Inch Hockley TX Public
0722 PM Hail 1 E Wolfforth 33.51N 101.99W
05/28/2024 E0.75 Inch Lubbock TX Public
Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.).
0723 PM Hail 4 SE Reese Center 33.56N 101.97W
05/28/2024 E0.50 Inch Lubbock TX Public
Report from mPING: Half-inch (0.50 in.).
0723 PM Hail 1 N Wolfforth 33.53N 102.01W
05/28/2024 M1.25 Inch Lubbock TX Public
Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.).
0728 PM Hail 5 SW Lubbock 33.54N 101.92W
05/28/2024 E0.50 Inch Lubbock TX Public
Report from mPING: Half-inch (0.50 in.).
0735 PM Hail 1 WSW Wolfforth 33.50N 102.03W
05/28/2024 E1.75 Inch Lubbock TX Public
0737 PM Hail 1 N Wolfforth 33.53N 102.01W
05/28/2024 E1.00 Inch Lubbock TX Public
Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
0740 PM Hail 1 E Wolfforth 33.51N 101.99W
05/28/2024 E0.75 Inch Lubbock TX Public
Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.).
0740 PM Hail 3 E Wolfforth 33.50N 101.95W
05/28/2024 E1.00 Inch Lubbock TX Public
0809 PM Hail 2 WNW Wilson 33.33N 101.76W
05/28/2024 E1.75 Inch Lynn TX Storm Chaser
1203 AM Tstm Wnd Gst Friona 34.64N 102.72W
05/29/2024 M60 MPH Parmer TX Mesonet
Severe gusts began at 12:01am and ended at
12:53am. Peak wind gust was 60 mph at
12:03am.
1254 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NE Morton 33.74N 102.74W
05/29/2024 M62 MPH Cochran TX Mesonet
Measured by the Texas Tech Mesonet. A wind
gust of 58 mph also occurred one minute
later, at 12:55 am.
0130 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NW Levelland 33.59N 102.38W
05/29/2024 Hockley TX Emergency Mngr
*** 8 INJ ***
Two mobile homes destroyed. Widespread wind
damage throughout town.
0206 AM Hail 2 W Ropesville 33.41N 102.19W
05/29/2024 M1.00 Inch Hockley TX Public
0217 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 6 SSW Wolfforth 33.43N 102.05W
05/29/2024 M59 MPH Lubbock TX Mesonet
Measured by the West Texas Mesonet. A wind
gust of 58 mph also occurred at 2:18 am.
0250 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 NNE Tahoka 33.20N 101.77W
05/29/2024 Lynn TX CO-OP Observer
Three transmission lines down near
substation. Time estimated by radar.
0256 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NNE Tahoka 33.20N 101.77W
05/29/2024 M95 MPH Lynn TX Mesonet
Measured by the Texas Tech Mesonet. Severe
wind gusts occurred between 2:53 am and 3:02
am.
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