An initial supercell thunderstorm near the Texas/New Mexico line developed into a small Bow Echo during the evening hours of May 30th, 2001. As the system moved southeast along Highway 84, extensive wind and hail damage occurred from Bailey/Lamb Counties southeast into Lubbock and Lynn Counties between 7-11 pm CDT. Wind gusts in the bow echo exceeded 80 mph at many locations from Littefield through western Lubbock County toward Tahoka (and parts of northern Lynn County). A small area of 100 mph wind gusts (from Anton to Reese Center to Wolfforth) were observed in a comma-head feature on the northern edge of the bow echo. A peak wind gust of 105 mph was recorded at the WTM station located at Reese Center at 9:05 pm CDT on May 30th, 2001. Millions of dollars in damage to crops and property were documented for this event...mainly from wind-driven hail. Many birds and small animals were killed in western Lubbock County from the hail with several Mississippi Kite colonies destroyed. Thirteen WTM stations were complete by May 30th, 2001.....see data below.

West Texas Mesonet observations overlaid on KLBB base reflectivity radar image for 9:05 pm CDT on May 30, 2001. Station Plot information: Top left: Temperature (1.5-meters deg F)... Bottom left: Dewpoint (F)... Top right: Station Pressure in mb... Bottom right: Peak 3-second (10-meter) wind gust in knots... Wind barbs in knots... Also available: WTM Station Plots with KLBB Radar Data for 7-11 pm CDT on May 30th, 2001 (large loop, approximately 8 MB).

KLBB base reflectivity radar loop from 0008Z to 0356Z on May 31st, 2001 (GMT). Also available: KLBB base reflectivity radar loop (zoom) from 00-04Z on May 31st, 2001. More radar data: KLBB storm relative velocity loop (zoom) from 02-03Z on May 31st, 2001.

West Texas Mesonet station plot for 9:50 pm CDT. Remains of comma-head feature passing over the Tahoka mesonet station.

WTM observations for the Reese Center station. Note, initial outflow producing high winds followed by the extreme wind gust under the comma-head feature. Additional features: Impact of hail on rainfall and temperature readings and the high winds behind the storm in the rear-inflow jet.

The following link has additional information on this event: TTU Master's Thesis.