Severe Weather Watch & Warning

As we move into April, we begin the severe weather season for West Texas. In a typical year, event that only occurs in a few other locations around the world. It is a phenomenon most common from March through early June.

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Latino Lubbock Magazine (806)792-1212 news@latinolubbock.net www.latinolubbock.net thunderstorms become more numerous from April into early summer. The most active period for storms occurs from the last couple of weeks in May through the first week of June.

Last month I reviewed watches and warnings. Now, I’ll share criteria for a Thunderstorm Warning. It must meet the criteria of one of these events: hail larger than ¾ inch or winds at or above 58 mph. Although a storm may produce pea to nickel size hail (even several inches deep) intense rainfall and minor wind damage, these storms are not classified as severe.

A frequent factor in severe storm development is the dryline. It’s an

The dryline is a boundary where dry air starts moving east from areas including northern Mexico, the New Mexico plains and southwest Texas. As this line of dry air surges eastward into moist air located over the south plains, it acts like a wedge causing the air to lift. Then as the air rises, it cools and, if atmospheric conditions are favorable, thunderstorms will develop along and just ahead of the dryline. Typically, the dryline does two things: 1. Dry the air and heat the atmosphere as it moves eastward. 2. Force the warm moist air upward creating instability, which in turn can start the storm process.

In early spring, the dryline will bring gusty and dry westerly winds that will lead to storms east of the Caprock into central Texas. Next month, I’ll review the dewpoint and guidelines for staying safe in severe weather.

(En español at www.latinolubbock. net/news-1)