Wind-Related Tragedy

KILLER WINDS

Storms over Hunt, Kaufman and Fannin county produced an outflow boundary that cross the metroplex this afternoon producing 50mph winds. The line hit the campus of UT of Dallas in Richardson just before 3:30pm dropping a crane and killing two workers. Radar showed the line (and 20-degree cooler temperatures) moving through:

The wind gust occurred well before the storms arrived giving little warning as they approached. They also moved over White Rock Lake in Dallas and are responsible for a possible drowning there.

Thunderstorms moved through north Texas across the afternoon and are expected to die out after the sun gets below horizon (8:40p).  No thunderstorm warnings were issued today but 50mph winds and pea-sized hail were reported with the storms.

A more steady rain has set up over the NE portions of our area, from Collin  County down to Kaufman in the cold pool that developed in the area (temperatures are in the low 70's) from the storms earlier. These showers are slowly falling apart over eastern Dallas and Kaufman county. Expect a nice cooling light rain to last only an hour or so.

MORE STORMS TOMORROW

Tomorrow is the a repeat performance, storms developing mostly in our eastern half by afternoon and clouds building up elsewhere. Temperatures will again get into the upper 90's in our western counties (today was the first 100 degree day at DFW in July) but only be in the low 90's in our eastern counties. As the storms develop we'll again see strong winds and dropping temperatures in the afternoon.

UNSETTLED AND COOLER WEATHER AHEAD

Rain chances increase for Monday and especially Tuesday.  I am forecasting a high on Tuesday only in the 80's because of the rain chances (50%) and cloud cover we expect as a weak front hangs over our area though the day. That same front will be close enough on Wednesday to provide some storms mostly south of the metro area.

Highs will get knocked down because of these storm chances. They'll be in the low 90's getting towards next weekend.

Keep in mind that last July every day save for the 1st had a high at 100 degrees or higher. The entire month only had .09" of rain. The first ten days of July this year promise much more reasonable weather. With chances of rain every day from now to Thursday (20% chance that day), cooler temperatures should be the norm for a week.