Severe Thunderstorm Warning, Dust Storm Alert Issued for San Angelo Area

A separate dust storm warning was issued at 8:24 p.m. CDT for southern Coke, Sterling, southwestern Coleman, Tom Green, southern Runnels, Concho and Irion counties. The warning remains in effect until 9:30 p.m. CDT. 

At the time of the dust storm warning, a wall of dust extended along a line from about 6 miles southwest of Carlsbad to near the intersection of Ranch Road 1929 and Ranch Road 2134, moving south at 35 mph. The National Weather Service said the dust storm would bring near-zero visibility and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. 

The agency warned that the conditions posed a danger to life-threatening travel. Impacted communities include San Angelo, Ballinger, Sterling City, Mertzon, Paint Rock, Christoval, Maverick, Eden, Miles, Hatchel and several others. 

A severe thunderstorm watch, originally issued for parts of the Big Country, was extended into the Concho Valley and Coleman and Brown counties through 10 p.m. CDT. The watch includes the possibility of hail up to 2 inches in diameter, wind gusts up to 75 mph and frequent lightning. 

The storms originated in the northern Big Country and moved south through the evening, with the main threat across the San Angelo area being damaging winds of 55 to 70 mph, according to National Weather Service timing information. 

The severe thunderstorm warning was linked to a gust front that produced 65 mph winds at Fort Chadbourne earlier in the evening. 

The National Weather Service advised drivers to avoid dust storms if possible. If caught in one, pull off the road, turn off lights and keep feet off the brake.