Local News
Severe Storms Possible for Some - fox34.com
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Castro, Swisher, Briscoe, and Hall counties until 11 PM Tuesday, putting communities including Dimmitt, Tulia, Silverton, Memphis, and Turkey on alert for damaging wind and hail. Lubbock itself is not the main target tonight.
Lubbock itself is not the main target tonight. Forecasters say the storms are unlikely to push this far south, though the chance is not zero. The watch zone sits in the northern part of the KCBD and FOX34 viewing area, well above the South Plains.
The bigger concern for those communities to our north is wind. Gusts up to around 80 mph are possible, and the storms are moving slowly, which means heavy downpours could pile up in the same areas for an extended stretch. Hail is also possible, though forecasters put that threat lower than the wind risk.
For people in Lubbock proper, tonight is mostly a watch-and-wait situation. Keep an eye on warnings, because conditions can shift, and what stays north of us one hour can move south the next. Anyone with family in the Panhandle communities under the watch should stay in contact and make sure they have a way to receive alerts.
Eighty-mile-per-hour gusts would rank among the strongest non-tornado wind events a West Texas community could see in a single storm.
Common questions
Is Lubbock under a severe thunderstorm watch tonight?
- No, Lubbock is not under the watch. The Severe Thunderstorm Watch covers counties to the north, including Castro, Swisher, Briscoe, and Hall. Forecasters say storms are unlikely to push this far south, though the chance is not completely zero.
Which towns are included in the Severe Thunderstorm Watch?
- Communities on alert include Dimmitt, Tulia, Silverton, Memphis, and Turkey. The watch is in effect until 11 PM Tuesday. These areas face the biggest risk from damaging wind gusts up to around 80 mph and possible hail.
What is the biggest weather threat for areas under the watch?
- Wind is the primary concern, with gusts up to around 80 mph possible. Because the storms are moving slowly, heavy rain could also pile up in the same spots for an extended period. Hail is possible but considered a lower threat than the wind.
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