STORM SIGNALS
Spring 1997, Vol. 44
CONTENTS
This edition of Storm Signals was printed by E. I. Dupont De Nemours & Company, La Porte, Texas, as a service to the citizens of Southeast Texas and The Upper Texas Coastal area.
Your Houston/Galveston National Weather Service Office offers informative hurricane talks to schools, businesses, and organizations. These talks include details on the dangers of tropical storms and hurricanes, the history of activity along the Southeast Texas coast, and ways to protect your life and property during a tropical threat. Brochures on hurricanes are also made available to all attendees.
If you are interested in having a meteorologist come to you and talk about hurricanes, please contact Joshua Lichter at (281)337-5074. The more you know about hurricanes...the better you will be prepared to survive when the next one strikes.
Mark your calendars now to attend the 1997 Houston/Galveston Workshop. The Workshop is scheduled for May 29 from 8:00a.m. - NOON at the Pasadena Convention Center. The theme of the 1997 Workshop will focus on "Recovery From A Major Hurricane." Individuals from the state of North Carolina will be here to share their experiences with Hurricanes Bertha and Fran. We also plan to have represenatives from the local community to explain how we plan to recover from a major hurricane.
This year the workshop is again being sponsored by the East Harris County Manufacturers Association (EHCMA) for the fourth straight year. The workshop is open to the public and no pre-registration is required. In addition to the meaningful talks there will also be vendors on hand to explain what you can do to prepare for the 1997 Hurricane Season.
Mr. Lew Fincher was presented the National Weather Service(NWS) Southern Region Public Service Award in December 1996. Mr. Fincher has a long history of assisting the NWS in hurricane preparedness activities for southeast Texas. As an extra duty with the company, Lew serves as hurricane preparedness coordinator at the Dupont Plant in Laporte, Texas. In addition to the usual role of seeing that his plant is prepared, Lew has established a network of representatives from other Dupont sites along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. This pool of resources helps Dupont be one of the better hurricane prepared companies. Lew goes beyond industrial preparedness in that he is always developing materials and putting on safety programs for employees to make them aware of preparedness activities for their families.
Mr. Fincher has taken his interest in hurricane preparedness to the community. He has organized a number of local "town meeting" type hurricane seminars in our area. Lew worked with us to arrange speakers and material for the presentations. Also, he has worked with a number of community weekly newspapers to see that hurricane preparedness articles are included and that the information is correct. Lew has assisted us in the preparation of the lead-in video for the annual Hurricane Workshop each of the last three years.
Other activities in which Lew has helped include research on the impact of the 1943 hurricane and other storms that have hit this area, prepared a video on storm spotter training in this area, and provided printing by Dupont of our Storm Signals Newsletter.
These actions truly represent the highest quality of volunteer service. In addition Lew is always a pleasure to work with and provides this office tremendous insight on the threat to petrochemical industry by hurricanes in this area. The Public Service Award is the highest award that can be presented to a non-NWS employee by the Southern Region of the NWS.
Often in Southeast Texas, the most active season for severe weather is the collection of spring months of March, April, and May. With warm, moist air returning from the Gulf of Mexico and active frontal systems from the north and west, the Upper Texas Coast and Southeast Texas often experience numerous showers and thunderstorms.
There are mainly two big weather phenomena during the spring, thunderstorms and tornadoes. Tornadoes are associated with thunderstorms, but not every thunderstorm is capable of producing a tornado. However, thunderstorms can still produce significant damage without the presence of tornadoes. By definition, a thunderstorm produces lightning. Lightning is the number two weather related killer in the United States. The number one killer is flash floods which are also associated with thunderstorms. Despite the popularity, or notoriety, of hurricane and tornadoes, the two main weather related killers can occur on a frequent basis. There are ways to help reduce the chances of suffering injury or damage during thunderstorms.
The best defense for spring thunderstorms is preparation. Try to keep updated to forecasts that might suggest severe weather. There are several signs that suggest of a thunderstorm approaching. Thunder is often the best warning signal. Temperature changes and breezy winds also offer a clue to approaching weather. If you can hear thunder or feel cool breezes, you are close enough to the thunderstorm to be affected. If at all possible, take shelter in a sturdy building away from windows. Use phones only in case of an emergency. If a shelter is not available, find a hard top automobile and keep the windows up. A common myth about automobiles is that the rubber tires insulate the car. This is false as lightning can still strike the vehicle. But the vehicle will provide significantly more protection than the open ground. Stay away from towers, hills, and tall trees as objects protruding into the air are the ones most likely to be struck. The only time to move to higher ground is if flood waters have been seen or reported in your area. If at the lake or on the coast, get off and away from water. If caught in the open ground, find a low spot in the terrain away from trees and fences. Squat low to the ground and lean on the balls of your feet. As lightning strikes the ground, it often spreads in several directions and can strike any object in the vicinity. By eliminating the area of ground that your are in contact with, you minimize your chance of being struck. If at all possible, stay informed by listening to advisories from commercial radio and television or to the National Weather Service Weather Radio. With proper information and preparation, you can reduce the damage of severe thunderstorms to you, your family, and your property.
Tornadoes offer different problems, but many safety rules from thunderstorms apply. The best defense is again preparation. Practice tornado drills so that all members of the family or employees of business know the appropriate locations of tornado shelters. Don't panic. Move to an interior room away from windows. If at all possible cover yourself with blankets, pillows, or other soft objects. If driving, find a suitable low spot on the ground as quick as possible and abandon your vehicle. Do not try to outrun a tornado. If you reside in a mobile home, leave and find appropriate shelter as mobile homes offer little, if any, protection from tornadoes. Stay informedwith the changing weather conditions.
By following these basic rules one can minimize the risk, and thus the damage, posed by the variety of spring severe weather over Southeast Texas.
The record for greatest rainfall in a 24 hour period in the continental United States is 43" in Alvin, TX, August 1979 during Tropical Storm Claudette.
The 1997 National Hurricane Conference will be in Houston during the month of April. The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Houston from April 22-25 1997. This Conference is nationally recognized as one of the most important national forums for education and professional training for Hurricane preparedness. Experts from around the country on Hurricanes will be on hand throughout this event.
The theme of the conference will focus on mitigation...on practical and "do-able" ways to reduce future storm damage. FEMA has made mitigation its top priority for this coming year with a number of new initiatives and new financial incentives to states. In 1995 Hurricane Opal demonstrated the value of a sound mitigation program. Not a single coastal structure approved under Florida's coastal construction control line program was destroyed or seriously damaged.
During the general session the 1996 hurricane season will be reviewed. There will be first hand reports from the biggest storms of the season. Dr. Gray will update his predictions for the 1997 hurricane season. In addition to the general sessions, there will be numerous workshops covering all major aspects of hurricane preparedness, response and recovery.
Who should attend? If you live along the Texas Gulf Coast and are involved in some aspect of emergency preparedness and education you should plan to attend. Listed below is a small list of some of the people that should plan to attend this workshop.
For information about the conference and how to register contact the National Hurricane Conference at 904-561-1163 or on the Web at http://wwwnettally.com/nhc. See you in April.
It started innocuous enough as an arctic cold front pushed through the area Friday January 10. Arctic high pressure was sinking south toward the central plains setting up a cold and dry northeast air flow across southeast Texas. An upper level low pressure system had developed over the southwestern U.S. on Saturday which positioned southwesterly upper level winds over Texas. Moist Pacific air caught in the southwest upper flow was lifted up and over the dome of cool dry air at the surface producing scattered areas of light rain and drizzle Saturday night.
The atmosphere near the surface was initially very dry so much of the precipitation evaporated before reaching the ground. This precipitation process results in evaporation cooling and allowed surface based temperatures to fall into the upper 20s and lower 30s...a six to nine degree temperature fall in three hours. Meanwhile temperatures aloft stayed near or slightly above freezing which kept a majority of the precipitation in liquid form. The result was a significant ice storm for almost all of southeast Texas on Sunday January 12 and Monday January 13. Disturbances embedded in the upper level flow enhanced precipitation totals across the south-eastern half of the area Sunday night into early Monday morning. The atmosphere was so unstable Sunday night that thunderstorms developed even though surface temperatures were 30 degrees!
Northwest of a line from Columbus to Crockett, the atmosphere was slightly colder and much of the precipitation fell as sleet. Accumulations were light, generally less than an inch. Light freezing rain and freezing drizzle also occurred in this area glazing bridges and other elevated surfaces. Travel was not recommended and numerous accidents were reported, including one fatality. All schools and most businesses in this area were closed Monday and Tuesday. Power outages were widely scattered throughout the area, most numerous in the Mentz and Bernardo areas.
The heaviest ice accumulations occurred in an area southeast of a line from Livingston to Montgomery to Richmond and north of a line from Richmond to Webster to Winnie. Ice accumulations in this area averaged between and 1 inches...with isolated 2 inch totals causing widespread tree damage and power outages. Elevated bridges and overpasses became skating rinks. Sleet fell on the northern edge of this precipitation area which helped reduce the amount of glazing experienced elsewhere. The highway 290 bypass near Hempstead was closed as were many of the elevated bridges in and around the Houston metropolitan area. Numerous accidents were reported, most injuries were minor, however two people lost their lives in multiple vehicle accidents. Most area businesses were closed on Monday and area schools were closed Monday and Tuesday. In a bizarre twist, downtown pedestrians had to dodge shrapnels of razor sharp ice which fell from downtown Houston skyscrapers during the ensuing thaw on Tuesday.
Power outages were widespread Sunday night into Monday. Eastern Montgomery, northeastern Harris, Liberty and San Jacinto counties were hardest hit with 230,000 people without power at the peak of the ice storm. The heaviest core of freezing rain fell along a line from Shepherd to Humble. Thunderstorms, which developed Sunday night, produced a inch of rain in just a few hours, which quickly froze upon contact with the ground or objects near the ground.
South of the Richmond to Webster to Winnie line, temperatures were slightly warmer and ice accumulations were considerably less and confined to tree limbs, street signs and elevated objects. Glazing of roadways was at a minimum, yet even schools along the coast received a one day winter holiday. Many businesses closed their doors or opened late on Monday.
Determining the damage amount in dollars is rather difficult because many of the losses incurred are somewhat masked. Damage to roads are not always obvious after an ice storm. Damage to trees and other agricultural interests may not become apparent until the growing season begins. Loss of revenue due to closed businesses will also add to the total. There are, of course, some obvious costs such as damage to power lines , property damage to automobiles and medical costs for persons injured in automobile accidents. Estimates of damage from this ice storm will approach $800,000.
To summarize this event, three people died on icy bridges, so always drive cautiously over bridges and ramps during icy conditions. Power outages affected 230,000 people. Most of the power outages were short, usually lasting less than six hours. There were numerous auto accidents, totaling 1,100 in the 23 counties in the Houston/Galveston warning area.
Winter usually makes itself known in southeast Texas at least once a year. The visit this year was a bit harsh, but on the bright side, the visit was short and spring is just around the corner.
A Happy New Year to all of our Cooperative Observer's in Southeast Texas. Max and I trust that the first part of 97 has been a very good year so far for you and yours. We are looking forward to seeing all of you throughout these coming months, although due to an unsettled Federal Budget and cuts within the National Weather Service we may not be able to get by as often as in the past. However, if you have a problem with equipment, call and let us know as quickly as possible. We still want and need the data and will take care of the repairs as soon as possible. This type of thing comes under the heading of emergency repairs, and they will let us take care of those things.
One of the most helpful things all of you could do for Max and I would be to get your observation forms in as soon as possible after the end of the month. It would also be helpful if you would put a "0" in the precipitation column on the days when no precipitation occurred. Otherwise, the forms are looking good, thanks!
On the horizon "ROSA" is coming. That's short for "Remote Observation System Automation" which is a new way of collecting data by telephone. This system will allow for input of Max and Min temperature data, daily rainfall, and even partial rainfall reports. We are being told at this will occur within the next year. More on this later!
The year 1996 came in like a lamb and went out with a whimper. January, as all of us remember started a dry period in Southeast Texas that rivaled some of those dry periods that a few of you out there may remember, and many of us have only heard about. As we pushed into the year it just got dryer, and many people began to use the word "drought". And, indeed it was on a smaller scale. I'm sure that the drought of 1996 and its hardships on the our ranchers and farmers hasn't been forgotten, especially by those of you that endured it first hand. The impact of the drought will continue through 1997 and beyond. The first 5 months of 1996 where extremely dry from the coast inland, and many of us were making comparisons with previous episodes, but the title for record drought in southeast Texas still rests with the 1930s and the teens.
A dramatic reversal in the drought began in June and July and continued on through the end of the year. The unusual aspect about this past summer was the fact that one would or could expect an average of 2" to 5" to fall per month over the area. This was not the case at all, from June through August, rainfall in some cases tripled or even quadrupled the monthly rainfall in several months. Case in point, the National Weather Service Office in Dickinson where 16.29" of precipitation fell in the month of August. Although normals are not available for this site, looking at other normal rainfalls in the area, this works out to 4 times the normal. Although we just never quite made it back to normal across the region precipitation wise, several stations did in fact equal or surpass the normals. Leading the pack this year was the City of El Campo, which was the wettest reporting station in southeast Texas with 53.77", or roughly about 10.00" above normal for the area. The NWS Office in Dickinson followed with 50.21" inches, Alvin with 49.29", and Baytown with 48.33".
On the other side of the coin, dry conditions prevailed for the remainder of the area. The average departure in rainfall from normal for the entire region was 9" to 10" of rain. The driest place in southeast Texas was the town of Matagorda where only 21.63" of rain fell all year. This was an astounding 23.03" below normal (or 48 % of normal), and not at all where you would expect it to occur. Next on the list was Caldwell with 27.84" and Bellville with 28.10" ( normals not available for either). Next was Freeport at 29.24" ( 22.99" below normal/56% of normal), Midway at 27.94" and Madisonville with 29.77". These were the only stations under the 30 inch curve. The last two, along with Caldwell, were not anywhere near the deficit's of the coastal stations. The average number of months below normal rainfall for all southeast stations was 9 out of the 12.
Temperatures were above normal for the year across the area. The only stations below were Brenham and Washington-on-the-Brazos, both of whom were only -0.1 F below. Houston's Intercontinental Airport was right at the normal. Temperature extremes for the year rested again with those that gained that notoriety in 1995. So, where was the hottest temperature in 1996? At both Columbus and Groveton, where the mercury hit the 106 mark. Groveton did this on three separate occasions. In Houston, although no 100 days were recorded at Intercontinental, there likely were 1 or 2 in the western portion of Harris County. The coldest temperature again goes to Columbus, with a reading of 12 degrees on the 8th of January. Columbus will retain the all-around weather extremes title for 1996, based not only on the hottest and coldest temperatures, but mainly due to the fact that they recorded 100 degree temperatures on 47 days. On top of that, they recorded 53 days when the mercury dipped below 32 degrees.
A few statistics from selected stations:
Name Yearly Yearly Yearly Normal % of Avg Temp Avg Temp(Diff) Precip Yearly Normal *********************************************************************** Houston IAH 67.9 67.9(0) 42.82 46.07 93 Baytown 69.8 68.4(+1.4) 48.33 51.85 93 Bay City 69.8 69.1(+0.7) 39.32 45.40 87 Brenham 69.3 69.4(-0.1) 34.77 41.42 84 Cleveland 67.3 66.1(+1.2) 40.95 51.59 79 Columbus 68.3 67.8(+0.5) 34.93 41.75 84 Crockett 66.5 65.4(+1.1) 34.25 42.38 81 Galveston 71.3 69.7(+1.6) 38.31 42.28 91 Groveton 68.5 66.2(+2.3) 34.82 44.85 78 Liberty 70.6 67.7(+2.9) 47.89 54.11 88
In future Storm Signals, I hope to run statistics by the month for every reader. As always, my thanks to all of our dedicated Cooperative Program observers, to our River Authority personnel, and to the contract observers at those stations located at the large airports around Southeast Texas.
November storms accounted for $140,000 worth of wind damage. Coastal counties also had another episode of coastal flooding Nov. 16-17. Strong gradient winds caused tides to rise 3-5 feet above predicted astronomical levels. This caused significant beach errosion as well as damage to coastal roads and homes. Estimated damage was set at $700,000.
December was fairly quiet as severe weather is concerned. There were 3 reports of flash flooding due to heavy rains.
The January 12-13 ice storm was responsible for many traffic accidents and also caused some breakage of trees and power lines. The big story of January, however, was the tornado that struck Pasadena on the 27th. An F1 tornado touched down in Pasadena creating $14 million in damages. It destroyed a temporary school building and a storage facility, severly damaged an office building, a church, and some cars. The tornado had a path of 1.5 miles long and was 30 yards wide. The same storm also produced brief tornado touchdowns in Deer Park and in Crosby, however the damage was not as severe.
The 1996 severe weather season as a whole was not as active as 1995. Highlights of 1996 included grapefruit size hail in the town of Egypt in Wharton County in June. This caused substantial property and agricultaural loss. Another highlight was the supercell thunderstorm that followed HWY 36 through Burleson and Washington Counties and southward to the coast. Many tornadoes and wind damage was linked to the storm, but luckily there were no injuries or deaths. October and November coastal flooding caused substantial beach errosion. And last but not least, the Pasadena tornado can't be left out as a highlight of the 1996 severe weather season.
There has not been a hurricane making landfall anywhere on the Texas Coast since Jerry in October 1989. Only one other stretch of hurricane seasons, 1972-1979, have we gone longer without a hurricane. Maybe we can match that 8 season stretch ..from September 1971 when Fern hit at Matagorda to Hurricane Allen on the lower coast in August 1980... in 1997!
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