Severe Thunderstorms in West-Central Texas; Critical Fire Weather Threat in the Rockies and Plains

Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail and damaging wind gusts will be possible this evening across west-central Texas. Elevated to Critical fire weather conditions will persist across the southern Rockies and portions of the southern Plains through this weekend. Read More >

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Overview

The morning of June 12, 2012, began with a complex of very intense severe thunderstorms traversing the ArkLaTex. These thunderstorms resulted in widespread wind damage across Northeast Texas, Southwest Arkansas, and North Louisiana. Many trees and power lines were brought down, resulting in significant power outages. The hardest hit area was the Claiborne Parish area, specifically in and around Homer, Louisiana. Significant damage was done to numerous homes and businesses in the area. These storms were the result of a mesoscale convective system (MCS) that developed to the west of the area during the nighttime hours and quickly moved southeast across the region between 2am and 8am. Some of the results of this system were welcome, however. The region was suffering from a significant dry period, and this system brought widespread rainfall amounts in excess of one inch.

A stationary front was draped across the ArkLaTex on the morning of June 12, and a very unstable airmass had setup across the region during the afternoon and evening of Monday, June 11. In fact, high temperatures across the Four State Region on Monday topped out 97 to 99 degrees F at most sites. Combined with surface dewpoints in the middle 60s and strong low level winds, the atmosphere was primed for strong to severe thunderstorms. Per mesoanalysis on the evening of June 11, deep layer shear values ranged 25 to 40 kts across East Texas and Southeast Oklahoma...and were aligned as such they were supportive of strong storms organizing into lines and clusters. This occurred late that evening as storms developed over North Texas and Southern Oklahoma around 11pm and organized into a large squall line which moved southeastward along the Red River of Texas and Oklahoma. As the storms moved into Northern Louisiana, a strong rear inflow jet developed (noted in the radar imagery below), resulting in widespread wind damage in Bossier, Webster, and especially Claiborne Parishes.

Satellite & Radar Images

Storm Reports

Storm Damage in Homer, LA

Significant Rainfall

Satellite image of the thunderstorm complex

This infrared satellite image shows the thunderstorm complex as it was moving over North Central Louisiana and Southern Arkansas. Notice the very cold cloud tops (light blue and green colors) indicating very healthy thunderstorms.

Widespread wind damage resulted across the Four State Region as the line moved rapidly to the east. This is a map of storm reports from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC). It shows that numerous damage reports were received in the ArkLaTex.

Note that the widespread wind reports from Missouri to Mississippi resulted from an earlier MCS that traversed that area during the daytime hours of June 11.

An automated observing station near Homer reported a 74 mph wind gust at 4:58am as the leading edge of the storm was moving through. About 4,000 customers were without power in the area. Twelve homes were destroyed, 30 or more sustained severe damage, and 100 or more homes received minor damage. Numerous trees and power lines were downed in the area. Power outages resulted in a boil-water order for the town and surrounding area. There were NO serious injuries, due in part to residents heeding the Severe Thunderstorm Warning that was in place for Claiborne Parish. The sheriff's office made the decision to sound the emergency sirens 15 minutes before the storm's onset, which caused residents to become aware of the situation.

This was one of a number of vehicles crushed by large trees.

A front porch was blown away from the front of this home.

Large tree snapped and power lines downed

A large tree was snapped. Notice the power lines downed in the foreground.

A section of power lines downed in the storm.

Several large trees were snapped like twigs.

This truck was flattened by a massive tree, which also fell on this homeowner's home and boat.

This travel trailer was flipped and destroyed.

This home was nearly split in half by a large tree.

LOCATION	RAINFALL
Homer, LA (Homer RAWS)	4.56 inches
Magnolia, AR	3.59 inches
Hope, AR (3 NE)	3.37 inches
Shreveport, LA (Regional Airport)	2.25"
Monroe, LA (Regional Airport)	2.07"

Map of observed rainfall from June 12, 2012

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Severe Thunderstorms in West-Central Texas; Critical Fire Weather Threat in the Rockies and Plains

June 12, 2012: Severe Thunderstorms