Lubbock, Texas – A tornado watch is in effect for a wide swath of West Texas, including Lubbock and Childress, as severe storms build across the region Thursday afternoon and evening.
According to the Storm Prediction Center, Tornado Watch 367 covers 31 counties and remains in effect until 10 p.m. CDT. The area includes key counties such as Lubbock, Hale, Scurry, and Howard, where rotating supercells capable of producing tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds are expected to develop through the evening.
Cities from Andrews to Childress could see rapidly changing conditions, with rural roads in counties like Borden, Kent, and Motley especially vulnerable to flash flooding and wind-driven debris. Residents in Crosbyton, Plainview, and Post should stay weather-aware and have shelter plans ready.
Local emergency managers urge residents to charge phones, monitor NOAA weather radio, and avoid non-essential travel. High-based storms could drop hail up to golf ball size and spawn brief tornadoes with little warning.
The tornado watch is expected to expire at 10 p.m., but additional warnings may be issued as the storm system moves eastward into Central Texas overnight. Stay tuned to local alerts and be ready to take cover quickly.
