Rain, hail, tornadoes reported in parts of West Texas; harvest expanding in Delta

Severe weather developed in parts of West Texas overnight, bringing damaging winds, hail, downpours and isolated tornadoes. Rain accumulations ranged from 0.01’’ to 2.36’’, and since the storms trained along the same path as previous ones this week, flash flooding was reported in areas where the heaviest tropical precipitation has fallen. Based upon data from the National Weather Service, rain amounts varied from 0.01’’ to 4.89’’ in the 96-hour period ended at 0922 CDT today. Clouds gave way to open skies this morning, and highs are projected in the 80°s (F), which will allow soft soils to firm and will help bleach any discolored lint in open bolls. Although the precipitation has helped ease dry soils, it arrived at the worst time for cotton farmers. The crop is in the final stages of development, and bolls are opening. Some of the more mature stands have been defoliated, leaving bolls vulnerable to the inclement weather. Hence, in the upcoming days, insurance assessments will be underway in fields that were hardest hit by hail, damaging winds and flooding.

Mostly cloudy, warm, muggy conditions are expected elsewhere in the state today, with daytime highs projected in the 90°s (F). However, as the storm system slowly marches eastward, there is a 50 to 100 percent chance of thunderstorms forecast through the end of the week. Rain accumulations of between 1.00’’ and 3.00’’ are projected, with locally heavier amounts possible in some of the stronger storms. The crop is open, and many fields have been defoliated. Growers, therefore, are rushing to get as much cotton off the stalk as possible before the inclement weather arrives.

Meanwhile, good harvesting weather rules across the Memphis Territory today, and mostly sunny skies and highs in the 90°s (F) remain in the near-term forecast. Clouds, though, are expected to roll into the Delta in the upcoming days, and rain chances will increase. Pickers, therefore, are working long hours trying to get as much of the crop harvested as possible before the weekend storms arrive. Seed cotton supplies are lining fields, and modules and round bales are being transported to area gins.

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