9:12 am CT- Just updating everyone to the severe weather outlook in west Texas. The pink shading above is a severe thunderstorm watch which goes until 1:00 pm. There is a severe thunderstorm warning for Hockley County for quarter size hail> That storm is moving to the east at 30 mph, toward Lubbock County.
There is a threat for severe thunderstorms in the area today. We've already had one storm with quarter size hail and 60 mph wind west of Lubbock this morning. We're expecting the storms to continue into the afternoon hours. The map above is the Storm Prediction Center's outlook for severe storms today. The yellow shading is where the highest probability of seeing severe storms is located. The main threats with any storms that get organized today will be golf ball size hail and 60-65 mph wind gusts. So keep that in mind, especially off the Caprock. The timing for storms today will be primarily from 1:00 pm-8:00 pm. After 8:00 pm, the storms will move out of our area. Keep your rain gear with you all day today and be sure to have a way to get watches and warnings.
There is a greater possibility to see higher coverage of severe thunderstorms late tomorrow. The map above depicts the areas that are at risk. The orange locations have the highest probability of seeing severe storms Wednesday; the yellow areas are still at risk, but lower than the orange shading. The major problem with the severe storms Wednesday will be the timing. This is going to be a late night event. People will be asleep when these storms hit severe levels. That is why you need to get a NOAA Weather Radio from Academy Sports and Outdoors in Lubbock. This will alert you the second a watch, or warning is issued; even if you are asleep and your phone is on 'Do Not Disturb'.
The window for severe storms Wednesday will be 8:00 pm-1:00 am. The real issue with any storms that become severe will be very strong wind from 70-75 mph. There is a low tornado threat, but it is still there due to the severity of the wind gusts we'll see. Damage to roofs, siding, windows, tree branches and trees themselves will be a real possibility in the orange shading. Be sure to stay weather alert on Wednesday night and have a way to receive warnings; either on your phone, or preferably a NOAA Weather Radio. If anything changes, I will be sure to update this post.