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Severe Thunderstorm Event
in Laredo June 2, 2003
An upper level storm system was located from northeast Texas into south central
Texas during the late afternoon. Storms developed over the Texas Hill Country
and moved to the southeast. An area of strong to severe thunderstorms occurred
from east of San Marcos to west of San Antonio between 4 and 5 PM CDT.
The outflow winds from these thunderstorms pushed to the southwest into the northern
Rio Grande Plains during the early evening hours. The seabreeze boundary had moved
into the eastern Rio Grande Plains by 8 pm. Strong low level convergence was located
over the Rio Grande Plains by this time. Temperatures were still in the upper
90s at Cotulla and Laredo with dewpoints around 70. The airmass over the region
was moderately unstable. The southern portion of the upper level disturbance was
moving into the area at this time. Scattered strong thunderstorms developed over
Dimmit, La Salle, and Northern Webb counties at 8 pm.
The southern storm became predominant and intensified. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning
was issued at 824 pm for Northwestern Webb County until 930 pm. A co-op observer
relayed reports from a relative which was working on an oil rig 15 miles west
of Encinal. A report of quarter sized hail and winds around 50 mph was received
from them at 843 pm.
The
storm continued to gain strength as it moved to the south-southeast toward Laredo.
Another Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Southern Webb County at 917
pm to include the city of Laredo in effect until 1015 pm. The severe thunderstorm
moved into the northern portion of the city around 930 pm.
KGNS-TV reported winds gusts estimated at 70 mph at 932 pm. The public reported
golf ball sized hail 2 miles east of downtown Laredo in the Heights area at 938
pm.
The Corpus Christi Doppler Radar indicated the possibility of a tornado developing
over the eastern portions of the city...near the International Airport. At 944
pm...a Tornado Warning was issued for Webb County until 1015 pm. The severe thunderstorm
produced considerable damage to mobile homes on the southeast side of Laredo around
955 pm.
Widespread wind damage occurred over the northern, eastern and southeastern sections
of the city of Laredo. Numerous windows were broken, widespread power outages
occurred due to power lines being blown down, and debris littered the roadways.
No reports of injuries have been received at the time of this writing.
Below are some images of the storm captured on the WSR-88D Doppler Radar located
at the Corpus Christi airport. For additional pics of the damage taken by the
storm survey team, select this LINK.
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