STORM SIGNALS
Spring 1998, Vol. 47
CONTENTS
This edition of Storm Signals was printed by the Harris County Office of Emergency Management.
James F. White, Coordinator
Frank E. Gutierrez, Operations Coordinator
Laverne Thompson, Deputy Coordinator
The Impact of the 1997-98 El Nino
By Bill Read
The record setting 1997-98 El Niño event has been a major factor in causing anomalous weather patterns not only in southeast Texas, but for most of the United States from late Fall, 1997 through Winter, 1998. Historically, the most significant impact of El Niño on North American weather is during the winter season. The key feature during this time of the year is a much stronger than normal subtropical or southern jet stream. This results in fast moving storm systems coming off the Pacific and crossing the southern tier of states. The polar or northern jet is significantly reduced and displaced well to the north, resulting in less frequent intrusions of Canadian or Arctic fronts. The impact this has on our weather over the winter season is usually warmer and drier weather from the Pacific Northwest through the Ohio Valley and cooler and wetter than normal across the Southwest and Gulf Coast regions.
To a large extent, the winter of 97-98 has matched that pattern quite well. Most notable for us has been the unprecedented amount of severe weather and excessive rainfall during January, February and March from East Texas through Florida. Included in this were our January flood and an order of magnitude more warnings than normal for southeast Texas. The deadly tornado outbreaks in Florida and the southeast U.S. could also be related to this El Niño pattern. Virtually all the significant weather occurred as strong pacific storms moved eastward with a much stronger than normal subtropical jet.
The correlation between El Niño conditions and impact on U.S. weather begins to weaken during the Spring. Since we have severe weather and heavy rainfall most spring seasons, it would be hard to make a connection of this weather to El Niño. Nevertheless, the intensity of this El Niño and corresponding intense subtropical jet could continue to bring above normal frequency and intensity of Pacific storms across our region through much of the spring, which could enhance our chances for severe weather or heavy rainfall.
Another interesting facet of the El Niño phenomenon is the impact it has on tropical cyclone frequency and intensity. There is a strong correlation between less frequent storms and fewer intense hurricanes when El Niño conditions prevail through the hurricane season (June-November). Unfortunately, this does not necessarily mean less likelihood of a major hurricane for the upper Texas coast. Of the nine Category 3 or greater hurricanes since 1900 making landfall on or near the upper Texas coast, four occurred when El Niño conditions were present. The 1900 storm and Alicia both occurred during the summer after a major El Niño, when weak to moderate El Niño conditions lingered on well past the winter peak.
As of March, 1998, the current El Niño is still going strong. The latest forecast is for El Nino to weaken through Spring and early Summer. However, weak to moderate El Niño conditions are forecast to persist through much of the hurricane season...
The Spring Storm Season
By Greg Waller
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 which 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 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 informed with 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.
| Tornado Watch - | Conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes (tornadoes are possible in the area) |
| Severe Thunderstorm Watch - | Conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms (severe thunderstorms are possible in the area) |
| Tornado Warning - | Tornadoes are imminent or are occurring in the area. |
| Severe Thunderstorm Warning - | Severe thunderstorms are imminent or are occurring in the area. |
The Spring Storm Season
By David C. Schwertz
The year began on a wet note as significant flooding occurred over a large portion of southeast Texas. On January 6th a slow moving Pacific cold front interacted with deep tropical moisture streaming in from the Gulf of Mexico to produce widespread heavy rainfall across the region. Up to 10 to 12 inches fell in some areas. The result was major flooding along the lower Trinity River, the San Jacinto River, and the Navasota River below Lake Limestone. Flooding also occurred along Caney Creek, Cypress Creek, Spring Creek, and Luce Bayou.
This event also filled several reservoirs across the Hydrologic Service Area. Lake Livingston, on the Trinity River, reached a peak elevation of 132.99 feet on January 7th. The normal pool is 131 feet. The peak discharge was 67,100 cubic feet per second (cfs). Lake Conroe, on the San Jacinto River west fork, reached a peak elevation of 203.12 feet on January 9th. Normal pool is 201 feet. The peak discharge was 5380 cfs. Lake Houston, on the San Jacinto River main stem, crested at 47.48 feet on January 9th. The spillway elevation is 44.5 feet. The peak discharge was 62,220 cfs. Lake Limestone, on the Navasota River, reached a peak elevation of 363.91 feet on January 7th. Normal pool is 363 feet. The peak discharge was 23,415 cfs.
Flooding in the Trinity River Basin impacted Madison, Polk, and Liberty Counties. Flooding on Bedias Creek closed FM 247 in far southeast Madison County. The pecan crop was severely damage due to heavy rain and flooding in east Madison County. In Polk County, a bridge was washed out on Kickapoo Creek near Onalaska (crest 21.71 feet on Jan 6th). Several business were flooded along Highway 190 west of Livingston from Long King Creek (crest 26.13 feet Jan 7th). In Liberty County, roads into several subdivisions were flooded restricting access to residents. The road into Big Thicket Lake Estates was flooded from Menard Creek near Rye (crest 25.31 feet Jan 7th). The subdivisions impacted above Liberty included Horse Shoe Bend, New River Lake Estates, Mason Lake Estates, Old River Lake Estates, Trinity River Lake Estates, Old Snake River, Sam Houston Lake Estates, Horse Shoe Lake Estates, Knights Forest, Dayton Lake Estates, Trinity River Plaza, Harvest Acres, and Riverside Plaza. One home in the Lake Grenada subdivision below Liberty had about 4 inches of water in it. The FM 787 and Highway 105 bridges across the Trinity River were closed for more than two weeks due to channel scour around the bridge piers.
Flooding in the San Jacinto River Basin impacted Montgomery, Liberty, and Harris Counties. On the East Fork of the San Jacinto River several homes in the community of Plum Grove in east central Liberty County were flooded. FM 1485 near the gage site was closed for several days due to flooding. Casey Road along the downstream left bank was also inundated. There were no reports of water in any homes. Flood water from Peach Creek flooded the intersection of FM 2090 and US Highway 59 near the community of Splendora in Montgomery County. Flooding also closed a service station/convenience store at that intersection. Crockett-Martin Road at FM 2090, also in Montgomery County, was closed due to flooding from Caney Creek. On the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, several roads and a few homes were flooded in the River Plantation subdivision south of Conroe in central Montgomery County. This was a result of backwater up Little Caney Creek. In far northeast Harris County near Humble, 10 homes in the Northshore subdivision, 1 in Lakeside, 4 in Forest Cove, and 17 in Riverside Crest, were flooded. Roads were also inundated in Walden Woods. This flooding was a combination of the flood wave moving downstream and backwater from Lake Houston. Below Lake Houston on the San Jacinto River main stem, Wallisville Road and Grace Drive leading into the Banana Bend subdivision were inundated; however, there were no reports of homes flooded in the subdivision.
Flooding on the Navasota River impacted mainly large areas of pastureland in Madison, Grimes, and Brazos Counties. Four families were briefly evacuated from Hall Lake subdivision north of Highway 21 in Brazos County. Flood waters reached near these homes, but did not enter them. Democrat and Long Trussel Roads were closed due to flooding from the Navasota. Grass Burr, Elmo Weeden Road, FM 1179 were closed due to flooding from Wixen Creek, a tributary to the Navasota River in Brazos County. No damage was attributed to this flooding.
Rises were also observed at several additional locations, however only minor overbank conditions and minor flooding of agricultural land occurred. The Trinity River at FM 787 near Romayor exceeded the bankfull stage of 30 feet on January 7th and remained over banks through January 28th. A crest near 38.8 feet occurred on January 9th. Davidson Creek at Highway 60 near Lyons rose above the bankfull stage of 15 feet on January 7th cresting at 16.58 feet that night. The creek remained above bankfull through January 9th. The San Bernard River exceeded the 14 foot bankfull stage at FM 442 near Boling on January 7th and crested at 16.28 feet on January 8th. The river remained above bankfull through January 11th. A minor rise occurred on the Tres Palacios River on January 22nd. The river crested near 13.8 feet at FM 456 near Midfield, below the 15 foot bankfull stage. East Mustang Creek at FM 647 near Louise rose above the Bankfull stage of 10 feet on late January 6th. The river crested near 15.2 feet on January 7th and fell within banks early on January 8th.
While this was the most significant flood event in the region since the October 1994 Flood, damage was relatively minimal and there were no deaths. It was however, an active month and hopefully not a precursor of things to come.
A rise on the Brazos River occurred in the channel above Highway 21 near Bryan to below FM 1462 near Rosharon. At Highway 21, the caution stage of 16 feet was exceeded on January 3rd followed by a rise above the bankfull stage of 32 feet on January 7th. A crest of 36.3 feet occurred on January 8th, and the river remained above bankfull through January 9th and above caution stage through January 19th. Another brief rise above caution stage occurred from January 22nd through 24th. At highway 290 near Hempstead a rise above the caution stage of 25 feet was observed on January 6th. The river crested at 38.29 feet on January 10th and fell below caution stage on January 19th. The river exceeded the caution stage of 20 feet in Richmond also on January 6th and crested at 38.19 feet on January 11th. The river remained above caution stage through January 28th. A rise to near the bankfull stage of 42 feet occurred at FM 1462 near Rosharon with a crest of 41. 92 feet on January 12th.
1997 Southeast Texas Weather in Review
By Jim Maxwell
Southeast Texas experienced slightly below normal temperatures and a much wetter 1997. After near normal rainfall in 1996...punctuated by drought conditions through the early part of that year...rainfall in 1997 started on a wet note...continuing through the spring months. The weather during the fall and winter months was quite changeable, with above normal rainfall and cooler temperature readings as "El Nino" took charge. The year showed dramatic departures from 30 year normals.
At Hobby, the 79.97 inches of rain was the third highest total in recorded history. Only 1981, with 82.14 inches, and 1979, when 83.02 fell, were higher. At Bush Intercontinental, not since 1991 when 61.09 inches fell has the total of 60.33 inches been accumulated. The record rainfall for the official reporting site in Houston was 72.86 inches which fell on two occasions in 1900 and 1946. The annual temperature data shows that 1997 was slightly below normal (0.5 degrees) at Intercontinental and a normal (0.0 degrees) departure at Scholes Field on Galveston Island. The year started out with record warmth, but all that changed abruptly when an arctic front arrived on January 11th producing a wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet and even a few flakes of snow. January was also responsible for the years coldest temperature, 26 degrees on the 18th. Temperatures rebounded nicely in February and March, but April was another story. In March, the mean temperature was 4.7 degrees above normal, but April's mean temperature dropped to 4.1 degrees below normal, an 8.8 degree turnaround at Houston ...7.3 degrees at Galveston. In fact, April was 1.1 degrees cooler than March's average temperature in Houston...while on Galveston Island the temperature was 0.3 warmer in April than in March. Below normal temperatures remained with us through June before slightly above normal temperatures took the city through the summer. In fact, all of southeast Texas ended the year with a below average mean temperature.
The data above was compiled from records at Intercontinental Airport...Galveston ...Bryan/College station and our dedicated Corp of cooperative observers throughout Southeast Texas.
As El Nino became stronger in the fall, temperatures began to decrease once again with below normal temperatures through the end of the year. This decrease can be attributed to the increased cloud cover, above normal rainfall, and the numerous pacific cold fronts that traversed the area.
Like 1996, the year 1997 brought no century mark temperatures at Bush Intercontinental or Galveston. Harris and Montgomery counties had several 100 degree days. The city of Conroe lead the way with a 103 degree reading on August 21st, the Port of Houston recorded 101 degrees on August 5th, and Baytown at 100 on August 7th. Not since September 17, 1995 has Intercontinental reported 100 degrees. In 1997 there were only 102 days at Intercontinental and 64 days at Galveston of 90 degree or better readings...both were below normal some 15 days at Intercontinental and 13 days at Galveston. Elsewhere, the warmest temperature was again reached at Columbus where the mercury hit 106 degrees on two occasions, with Madisonville a close second at 105 and El Campo at 104 degrees. The city of Columbus can also lay claim to the hottest spot in the area with 34 days of 100 or better temperatures. The coldest temperature was a 19 degree reading at Corrigan, followed by 21 at Columbus and 23 at Coldspring.
The last freeze occurred on February 11th in Houston; the normal date for this is the 25th of February. The first freeze occurred 13 days ahead of schedule on the 17th of November. The same dates were also the last and first freeze dates at Bryan/College Station.
The following data is for Southeast Texas and includes official City of Houston ...Galveston and Bryan/College Station data and cooperative weather stations scattered around Southeast Texas.
Site Recorded Percentage of
Amount (inches) Normal
*************************************************************
Intercontinental 60.33" 131%
Hobby 79.97 157
Alvin 64.40 138
Anahuac 59.59 122
Angleton 63.26 120
Bay City 65.58 154
Baytown 78.02 160
Houston Barker 73.79 187
Belleville 52.49 ***
Brenham 53.66 139
Bryan/College Stn. 42.13 108
Caldwell 37.75 105
Cleveland 66.92 140
Clodine 70.46 169
Coldspring 60.97 135
Columbus 59.01 152
Conroe 54.64 124
Corrigan 64.45 ***
Crockett 41.35 105
Cypress 63.21 147
Dacus 55.58 137
Danevang 68.79 173
Deer Park 73.50 153
Edna 56.06 144
El Campo 65.96 ***
Freeport 64.61 131
Galveston Scholes 59.09 140
Galveston KGBC 65.59 168
The Heights 80.49 175
Jamaica Beach 53.70 ***
Katy 62.17 166
Liberty 64.48 128
Livingston 57.19 126
Madisonville 45.43 117
Matagorda 43.39 103
Midway 41.78 ***
Montgomery 51.93 125
North Houston (Fairbanks) 69.77 161
NW Houston (43rd/Antoine) 80.60 175
New Caney 73.39 160
New Gulf 59.51 144
Nwso Dickinson 67.28 ***
Pierce Ranch 59.58 150
Port of Houston 66.27 130
Richmond 63.61 153
Spring Branch 70.68 229
Sugarland 71.12 167
Texas City (Suntrans) 64.84 ***
Tomball 57.76 140
The Thompson's 70.35 214
West Columbia 74.49 170
Waller 57.37 149
Washington on the Brazos 48.96 131
Wharton 70.82 181
1998 HURRICANE SEASON
By Josh Lichter
The Texas coast, from Brownsville to Beaumont, has now gone eight straight years without a landfalling hurricane, equaling the longest period on record (1972 to 1979). The occurrence of tropical storms in Southeast Texas is a little more frequent ( our last visitor was Dean at the end of July 1995). But the last hurricane to strike the Texas coast was Jerry back in 1989. The question remains - how much longer we can go without a landfalling hurricane?
Dr. William Gray (Colorado State University professor) has a forecast for the 1998 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season (this includes the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico). In his forecast from December 1997, he called for a slightly below average season with 9 named storms, 5 of which become hurricanes (with 2 of these reaching category 3 or higher on the Saffir- Simpson Scale). Dr. Gray does not forecast where these tropical cyclones will develop, or whether or not they will make landfall. He will update his 1998 season forecast around April 7.
In preparation for the upcoming hurricane season, your Houston/Galveston National Weather Service staff has several workshops planned for the Southeast Texas community. Valuable information that can end up saving your property - and even your life - can be obtained by attending these workshops. The following is a list of these workshops - all free to the public.
| May 12 | Galveston Town Meeting Moody Center 6:00-9:00 PM |
| May 17 | Friendswood Hurricane Awareness Meeting 5:00pm - 7:00pm Friendswood United Methodist Church |
| May 20 | Fort Bend County Hurricane Awareness Meeting 7:00 pm George Library - Richmond, TX Contact: Ron Bolyard 281-342-6185 |
| May 28 | C-130 aircraft at Ellington Field 5:00pm - 8:00pm |
| May 29 | Houston/Galveston Hurricane Workshop Pasadena Convention Center 8:00am - Noon |
| June 1 | City of Baytown Town Meeting 7:00pm Tucker Hall - Lee College |
In addition to these workshops, Houston/Galveston National Weather Service meteorologists offer informative hurricane talks to businesses, schools, 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 one of us 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.
Here are some interesting and helpful internet sites about hurricanes you might want to check out.
| Houston/Galveston NWS Office | http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx/default.html |
| National Hurricane Center | http://www.nhc.noaa.gov |
| Joint Typhoon Warning Center | http://www.npmocw.navy.mil/npmocw/prods/jtwc.html |
| Dr. Gray's forecasts | http://tropical.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/index.html |
Houston Chapter of the American Meteorological Society
By Robert Van Hoven
The meeting last January was quite interesting to say the least. Tim Bruseth of the Texas Historical Commission talked about the LaSalle Shipwreck and its impact on the history of Texas. He provided an informative talk about events leading up to the ship wreck of the Belle and what became of the LaSalle's expedition. Possible meteorological conditions which resulted in the shipwreck were discussed during the meeting.
The February meeting was held at the Steak & Ale restaurant in southwest Houston. Dr. Bernard Meisner from the Scientific Services Division of the NWS Southern Region Headquarters talked about hurricane forecasting models. Earlier the same day, Dr. Meisner gave a talk to NWS Houston/Galveston staff about NCEP's (National Center for Environmental Prediction) numerical models.
A joint meeting with the Air and Waste Management Association and Clean Air Coalition of the Houston/Galveston Area Council was held on Tuesday, March 10 at Rice University in the Ley Student Center. Pollution abatement plans for Texas metropolitan areas were discussed.
A lunch meeting will be held at the National Weather Service Office in League City on Thursday, April 16. Dr. David Morris, Hydrologist-in-Charge of the West Gulf River Forecast Center, will be the key speaker. He will talk about River Forecast Center operations. Food for the lunch meeting will be provided by Joe's Barbeque at $5 per person.
For those of you interested in joining the Houston Chapter of the American Meteorological Society, contact Robert Van Hoven at the Houston/Galveston National Weather Service Office (281) 337-5074. You do not have to be a meteorologist to join. All you need is an interest in meteorology. Annual membership dues are only $10 a year.
1997 Southeast Texas Weather in Review
By Brian Kyle
Many areas in Southeast Texas received bouts of severe weather throughout 1997 including large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes and flash flooding. The severe weather seasons (Spring, Fall) were more active than in 1996, and closer in resemblance to the 1995 season as far as the number of warnings issued at the Houston/Galveston National Weather Service. Some, but not all, highlights of 1997 severe weather reports follow:
An ice storm plagued Southeast Texas on January 12th-13th. Freezing rain and sleet coated area trees, power lines and roadways. Ice got so thick on some trees and power lines causing them to break. Over 1100 traffic accidents were reported during the 2 day period, 3 of which claimed lives.
On January 27th, a tornado struck the town of Pasadena in Harris County causing $12 million in damages. Luckily no one was injured in the incident. Many structures were severely damaged or destroyed.
Galveston also sustained tornado related damages totaling $200,000 on February 12th and again on June 5th.
A long fetch of strong easterly winds caused tides to run 2-4 feet above astronomical levels on April 25th-27th with major coastal flooding reported. Low lying roads and houses near the coast got flooded and significant beach erosion was reported. Damages due to the high water were set at $665,000.
On June 17th, an HP Supercell tracked southeastward across all of Harris County and the Houston Metropolitan area toppling trees, billboards, and causing major wind damage estimated near $500,000.
Southeast Texas escaped a potentially dangerous weather situation on October 23rd. Ten tornadoes were confirmed that day. Only one minor injury was reported in Montgomery County when a trailer home was lifted and wrapped around a tree. Counties receiving tornado touchdowns that day included: Fort Bend, Walker, Harris, Austin, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Polk Counties.
As stated before, these were selected highlights of the 1997 severe weather reports. Numerous other locations not listed undoubtably had their share of hail, high winds, etc. during the year. As a side note, 1998 is currently shaping up to be a very active year as severe weather is concerned. As of this writing, we have already issued over 300 severe/tornado/flash flood warnings this winter (Nov-Feb). Compare those numbers to the TOTAL number of all of last years warnings (Jan-Dec): 540. We have issued nearly 3 times as many warnings that we usually do during this time period. Another thing to blame on El Nino? Quite possibly!
Residents of Southeast Texas are urged to pay attention to threatening weather situations and not ignore Severe Thunderstorm, Tornado, or Flash Flood Warnings. You may want to consider purchasing a Weather Radio, which can inform you of hazardous weather situations in your area 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Remember... severe thunderstorms can be just as deadly as tornadoes. Let's be prepared should a potential deadly weather situation develop in Southeast Texas; what happened in Central Florida can also happen here as well.
Interesting Marine Weather Tidbits
(October through December 1997)
By Robert Van Hoven
October
On the night of 9th and continuing through the 11th, a tight pressure gradient produced sustained east to northeast winds at 20 to 25 knots with higher gusts along the upper Texas coastal waters. Coincident with the cyclic astronomical high tides, tidal levels rose 4 to 5 feet above MLLW in many portions of the upper Texas coast. The 13th and the 14th of the month was windy along the coastal waters and bays. This was due to a vigorous high pressure system producing northerly winds of 20 to 30 knots. On the 23rd, Numerous tornadic thunderstorms developed inland over Southeast Texas. Some of these storms moved to the coastal waters from Freeport to High Island. A cold front moving across Southeast Texas on the night of the 25th ushered 20 to 30 knot northerly winds with stronger gusts that lasted through the 26th. This resulted in rough bay waters and 10 foot seas offshore.
November
Severe thunderstorms moving across Brazoria County late on the evening of the 4th eventually moved to Christmas Bay and the southern part of West Bay by midnight. Strong thunderstorms continued developing on the 5th with several storms moving from the coastal counties into the immediate coastal waters.
December
A line of strong thunderstorms moved across Galveston Bay and the immediate coastal waters from Freeport to High Island during the early morning of the 3rd. By late morning, additional thunderstorms developed extending the line of thunderstorms over the near shore coastal waters from High Island to the Matagorda Ship Channel. During the evening of the 7th, strong thunderstorms moved from Galveston Bay to High Island with PORTS (Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System) reporting 43 knot winds at Eagle Point, and 38 knots winds at Bolivar Roads. Strong thunderstorms continued developing late in the evening to midnight of the 7th over the bays and coastal waters. By early morning on the 8th, the thunderstorm activity had moved farther offshore. During the evening hours of the 20th, a strong thunderstorm passed near the Bolivar Peninsula. A towboat operator reported 35 knot winds with gusts to 50 knots from this particular storm. Early morning of the 21st saw a strong thunderstorm producing 40 knot winds in Trinity Bay. Strong thunderstorms moving across Galveston Bay on evening of the 23rd produced gusty winds to 35 knots. Later in the evening, as the storms moved to the coastal waters, a lightering ship (OMS Nueces) reported 35 knot winds, while Oil Platform 296 reported wind speeds to 40 knots. A cold front associated with a deep low pressure centered over southwest Arkansas produced 20 to 30 knot north winds over the coastal waters and bays of upper Texas on the 28th. Due to sustained strong northerly winds, tide levels at Galveston Bay fell, with PORTS at several locations in Galveston Bay reporting levels at or slightly below MLLW values.
EMERGENCY MANAGERS WEATHER INFORMATION NETWORK (EMWIN)
By Gene Hafele
As an integral part of its mission, the NWS recognizes the need to provide the emergency management community with access to a set of basic NWS warnings, watches, forecasts, and other products at no recurring cost.
EMWIN is now evolving into a fully operational and supported NWS service, in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other public and private organizations.
EMWIN is a suite of methods of making available a live data stream of basic weather data, and providing access to stored sets of basic unenhanced data, using a variety of techniques and technologies. Each method has advantages and disadvantages over the others, hence this multilayered approach to enable multiple methods of availability.
EMWIN's present methods in use for disseminating the basic data stream include:
Currently in southeast Texas there are two radio re-broadcasts available. In the Houston area the EMWIN data is being rebroadcast on 150.435 MHZ as a public service by the Harris County Appraisal District. The broadcast currently originates from Loop 610 and Hwy 290 from atop a 175 foot tower at 50 watts power output. The broadcast range is 30-40 miles from the transmitter site. To receive the data you need a VHF receiver capable of receiving 150.435 MHZ, a demodulator, and a computer with WEATHERNODE software. Software and demodulator can be purchased from vendors for less than $200. Plans are underway to move the transmitter to a higher location at which time the effective range will increase to reach further out into southeast Texas. Information on Houston EMWIN rebroadcast can be obtained by sending e-mail to EMWIN-Houston@hcad.org.
In Bryan/College Station the NWS is working with KEOS FM radio station (89.1 MHZ) to rebroadcast the data on their FM subcarrier (67 KHZ). Similar to the Houston rebroadcast you must have a receiver capable of receiving the 67 KHZ signal along with demodulator and WEATHERNODE software to display the data stream. The transmitter is currently at 100 watts located on a 200 foot tower. Their broadcast coverage covers all of Brazos county along with portions of the surrounding counties (Robertson...Burleson...Grimes...Madison) with an outside antenna.
For further information on EMWIN including a list of vendors you can contact our office or use the Internet to access the following addresses:
| http://www.nws.noaa.gov/oso/oso1/oso12/document/wintip.htm |
| http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/main.html |
The Co Op - News Corner
By Tom Fountain
As the old saying goes, " when it rains it pours", and we have all had plenty for now. Max and I haven't been out on the road much because of the weather. Therefore, the ROSA program is behind where we would like to be. But we will eventually get around and get you setup. We have some stations using the ROSA system that are good about sending in their observations - this is great help. THANKS!
Recently, I ran across some tidbits that you might find interesting. In this country, we have around 11,000 stations involved in the Cooperative Observer Program. This climatological database that all of you are building represents the cornerstone of our country's weather history. This weather data extends in many cases over a hundred years, therefore it is the primary data used for research into global climatic change, and the data becomes more valuable with time. Our Cooperative Observer Program has become the model for other countries and the World Meteorological Organization which is busy trying to establish stations in remote areas of the world.
For all of you with computers, we now have a CB-91 computer program. This program compiles a database of your station and will generate a B-91 form similar to the one you are now sending, and will also make and send a ROSA Report. The other things the CB-91 can do is keep a running total of your rainfall for the week and month and produce a temperature graph for a given period of time. I understand the Weather Service will be producing a historical data-base for each station in the near future. So, if any of you have a computer and want to "give it a whirl", let me know and I will build a database for you and get you into the Electronic Zone.
NOAA WEATHER RADIO...ANOTHER NEW TRANSMITTER AND S.A.M.E. TECHNOLOGY NOW AVAILABLE!
In February, another new NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) transmitter serving portions of Southeast Texas was put on the air. This new transmitter was installed in Fayette county just east of La Grange. This new NWR broadcasts on a frequency of 162.50 MHZ and provides weather informationfor Colorado...Austin and Washington Counties in Southeast Texas in addition to Bastrop...Fayette and Lee counties in South Central Texas. The broadcasts for this new NWR will originate from the Austin/San Antonio National Weather Service (NWS) Office in New Braunfels, Texas.
With the addition of this new NWR, we now have six NWR's serving portions of the Houston/Galveston National Weather Service's County Warning Area. See the attached list for a list of frequencies...counties and FIPS codes. Work is continuing between the NWS, Polk County Emergency Management, and communities surrounding Lake Livingston to install yet another NWR that will serve the Lake Livingston region of southeast Texas. When this new NWR is installed all counties within the Houston/ Galveston NWS County Warning Area will be within listening range of a NWR. It is planned this new NWR will become a reality during 1998. If you live in the Lake Livingston area and would like more information concerning this venture, contact John McDowell with Polk County Emergency Management at 409-327-6826.
A new generation of programmable NOAA Weather Radio receivers now on the market have a special feature that allows consumers to choose only the official watches and warnings that affect their county area and screen out any warnings issued for other counties within the typical 40-mile broadcast range of the NWR transmitter.
Using digital technology known as Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME), all official watches and warnings issued by the NWS over NWR are preceded by unique audio codes that describe the type of warning and identify the county or counties being warned. People who own this newSAME-capable receiver can pre-select their local codes to ensure they hear the specific warning information they need to make potentially life-saving decisions. These new NWR receivers are currently available in Radio Shack Electronic Stores and will soon be available in other electronic stores across the area.
Our staff at the Houston/Galveston National Weather Service office is excited about how this new technology can benefit anyone withing range of a NOAA Weather Radio Transmitter. We encourage people to get their own NWR receiver, and help us move closer to our goal of someday having a NWR in every home, and in all schools, hospitals and other public gathering places. For additional information concerning this newtechnology, feel free to contact our office.
NOAA Weather Radio Stations broadcast that cover portions of the Houston/Galveston County Warning Area
| BAY CITY NWR 162.425 MHZ |
GALVESTON NWR 162.55 MHZ |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| County | FIPS | County | FIPS |
| Brazoria Fort Bend Jackson Matagorda Wharton |
048039 048157 048239 048321 048481 |
Brazoria Chambers Galveston Harris |
048039 048071 048167 048201 |
| BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION NWR 162.55 MHZ |
HOUSTON NWR 162.40 MHZ |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| County | FIPS | County | FIPS |
| Austin Brazos Burleson Grimes Leon Madison Milam Robertson Walker Waller Washington |
048015 048041 048051 048185 048289 048313 048331 048395 048471 048473 048477 |
Brazoria Chambers Fort Bend Galveston Harris Liberty Montgomery Waller |
048039 048071 048157 048167 048201 048291 048339 048473 |
| LA GRANGE NWR 162.50 MHZ |
LUFKIN NWR 162.55 MHZ |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| County | FIPS | County | FIPS |
| Austin Bastrop Colorado Fayette Lee Washington |
048015 048021 048089 048149 048287 048477 |
Angelina Houston Jasper Nacogdoches Polk San Augustine Trinity Tyler |
048005 048225 048241 048347 048373 048405 048455 048457 |
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