OBSERVATIONS OF A TROPICAL STORM
IN WEST TEXAS

Todd Lindley
Alexander Lyster
Rebecca Gould
NOAA / NWSFO - Midland / Odessa, Texas

Figure 15
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Looping Control
 Loop Speed
 Dwell Speed
loop of thunderstorms over the Big Bend region
Image Control
Looping Control
 Loop Speed
 Dwell Speed

 

Figure #15...The combined infrared satellite imagery and regional radar reflectivity mosaic from 2300 UTC 16 July to 0200 UTC 17 July 2003 shows Claudette as it became increasingly disorganized over far southwest Texas. Satellite imagery suggests that the middle and upper level cloud structure became less symmetrical with time as the system weakened and dry air began to entrain into the circulation from the south. Plots of the regional surface observations reveal that Claudette’s low level circulation was becoming displaced from the circulation aloft as it began rapidly moving west-northwest into northern Mexico. In addition, thunderstorms can be seen initiating over the Serranias del Burro Mountains in northern Coahuila, Mexico. This convection trained north over Terrell County, and resulted in heavy rainfall and flash flooding.