| Tropical Depression #2 |
| June 3-5, 1981 |
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Above: SMS-2 visible satellite image of Tropical Depression #2 at 7:30 AM CDT June 5, 1981, shortly after landfall.
Tropical Depression #2 originated from a large area of disturbed weather over Central America that had persisted since the end of May. The northern extent of the disturbance moved northward across the Bay of Campeche and developed into Tropical Depression #2 early on June 3rd. The tropical depression was steered northward by the southerly flow between the large longwave mid to upper level trough over the Rockies and the large mid to upper level ridge off the Southeastern U.S. coast. The tropical depression stayed offshore the Mexican and South Texas coast through June 5th with southwesterly wind shear keeping the depression from strengthening.
The tropical depression made landfall around 5 AM CDT June 5th across the Central Texas coast near Matagorda Bay. The tropical depression moved inland and became post tropical by the afternoon as it moved northeast across East Texas and Western Louisiana later that evening. Click here for an interactive track of Tropical Depression #2.
WIND & PRESSURE:
The National Weather Service in Port Arthur, Texas recorded maximum sustained winds of 37 mph (32 knots) with a peak wind gust of 46 mph (40 knots) at 8:36 AM CDT, along with a minimum sea level pressure of 1005.8 millibars (29.70 inches) at 11 AM CDT June 5th. Elsewhere across Central and Southern Louisiana, maximum sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 30 to 40 mph were recorded. These winds were associated with the stronger thunderstorms that were well northeast of the depression center as the system was transitioning to extratropical status. For complete meteorological statistics, see the Wind and Pressure section.
STORM SURGE:
Tide levels not available.
RAINFALL:
Heavy rainfall of 6 to 11 inches occurred across Inland Southeast Texas to West and Central Louisiana with the highest total of 11.10 inches being reported at Kinder, Louisiana. Elsewhere, 2 to 5 inches of rainfall occurred across the remainder of Southeast Texas and Southern Louisiana. For complete rainfall totals reported across our region, see the Rainfall section.
TORNADOES:
Several tornadoes occurred from the morning of June 5th through early on June 6th. An F2 tornado was reported near Johnsons Bayou in Cameron Parish Louisiana around Noon on June 5th. Rapides parish was especially hit hard with tornadoes (two F2 and one F3) between Noon and 1 PM CDT June 5th accounting for almost 2.8 million in damage and 10 injuries. For complete details on all the tornadoes reported across Texas and Louisiana, see the Tornadoes section.
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