Alert archive / Texas / Tornado Warnings in 1986

Tornado Warning 3, NWS Houston/Galveston, TX

May 17, 1986Fort Bend County, Texas

NWS Houston/Galveston, TX issued this tornado warning at May 17, 1986, 4:57 PM CDT for Fort Bend County, Texas. It was in force for 63 min.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
May 17, 1986, 4:57 PM CDT (21:57 UTC)
Expired
May 17, 1986, 6:00 PM CDT
In force
63 min
Issued by
NWS Houston/Galveston, TX
Area
Whole counties

County Fort Bend County, TX

The radar

The WSR-88D network and its archive begin in 1991, so there is no radar volume for this alert.

The nearest sounding before it

Victoria Regiona, TX (KVCT), launched 12:00Z, 10.0 hours before the alert went out and 133 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Victoria Regiona, TX at 12:00Z on 1986-05-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1627 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Victoria Regiona, TX at 12:00Z on 1986-05-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 171 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
1627 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-289 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
922 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
52 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
171 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
256 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
1.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KHOU 172157
TORHOU
TXC157-172300-

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED/EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED 
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON TX
457 PM CDT SAT MAY 17 1986

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING 
EFFECTIVE UNTIL 600 PM CDT FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTY OF

TEXAS...FORT BEND

AT 450 PM CDT DPS REPORTED A TORNADO ON THE GROUND NEAR HWY 90A
NEAR EAST BERNARD MOVING INTO WESTERN FORT BEND COUNTY. RADAR
SHOWS THUN~DERSTORMS IN THE AREA MOVING EAST SOUTHEAST AT 25 MPH.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 17, 12:45 PM CDT, 4 hours 12 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON TX
1245 PM CDT SAT MAY 17 1986

...A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR A LARGE PORTION OF SOUTHEAST AND
EAST TEXAS UNTIL 700 PM CDT...

THE WATCH AREA INCLUDES THE HOUSTON METROPOLITAN AREA AND COUNTIES
NORTH OF HARRIS COUNTY.

AT 1245 PM CDT AN AREA OF THUNDERSTORMS WERE MOVING INTO GRIMES..
WALKER AND HOUSTON COUNTIES.  THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS WERE FROM
NEAR COLLGEE STATION TO NORTH OF CROCKETT.  THE THUNDERSTORMS WERE
MOVING EAST SOUTHEAST AT 20 MPH.

THESE THUNDERSTORMS COULD PRODUCE STRONG GUSTY WINDS SOME HAIL AND
DANGEROUS LIGHTNING STRIKES AS THE MOVE THROUGH THE AREA.

CONDITONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE WEATHER
OR THE FORMATION OF TORNADOS..PERSONS IN THIS AREA ARE URGED TO STAY
TUNED TO LOCAL MEDIA FOR FURTHER STATEMENTS OR WARNINGS.
Special weather statement, May 17, 1:46 PM CDT, 3 hours 11 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON TX
145 PM CDT SAT MAY 17 1986

...A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR A LARGE PORTION OF SOUTHEAST AND
EAST TEXAS UNTIL 700 PM CDT...

THE WATCH AREA INCLUDES THE HOUSTON METROPOLITAN AREA AND COUNTIES
NORTH OF HARRIS COUNTY.

AT 145 PM CDT AN AREA OF HEAVY THUNDERSTORMS WERE IN WASHINGTOM..
GRIMES..WALKER AND TRINITY COUNTIES.  THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS
WERE IN A BAND FROM BRENHAM THROUGH HUNTSVILLE TO THE NORTHERN END
OF LAKE LIVINGSTON TO NORTH OF GROVETON.  THE THUNDERSTORMS WERE
MOVING EAST SOUTHEAST AT 25 MPH.

THESE THUNDERSTORMS COULD PRODUCE STRONG GUSTY WINDS SOME HAIL AND
DANGEROUS LIGHTNING STRIKES AS THE MOVE THROUGH THE AREA.

CONDITIONS REMAIN FAVORABLE FOR THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE WEATHER
OR THE FORMATION OF TORNADOS.

PERSONS IN THIS AREA SHOULD REMAIN ALERT FOR APPROCHING THREATING
WEATHER AND CONTINUE TO MONITOR YOUR WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL RADIO
O`R T.V. STATIONS FOR FURTHER STATEMENTS OR WARNINGS ISSUED AS NEEDED.
Special weather statement, May 17, 2:30 PM CDT, 2 hours 27 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON TX
230 PM CDT SAT MAY 17 1986

...A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR A LARGE PORTION OF SOUTHEAST AND
EAST TEXAS UNTIL 700 PM CDT...

THE WATCH AREA INCLUDES THE HOUSTON METROPOLITAN AREA AND COUNTIES
NORTH OF HARRIS COUNTY.

AT 230 PM CDT AN AREA OF HEAVY THUNDERSTORMS WERE IN GRIMES..WASHINGTON..
TRINITY..SAN JACINTO AND MONTGOMERY COUNTIES.  THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS
WERE FROM ROANS PRARIE THROUGH HUNTSVILLE TO LAKE LIVINGSTON.  THE
LEADING EDGE OF THE THUNDERSTORMS WERE IN NORTHERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY
AND SHOULD BE MOVING INTO THE HOUSTON AREA WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR.
THE THUNDERSTORMS WERE MOVING EAST SOUTHEAST AT 25 MPH.

BOATERS AND CAMPERS IN THE LAKE LIVINGSTON AND LAKE CONROE AREA SHOULD
MOVE TO A SHELTERED AREA UNTIL THESE THUNDERSTORMS MOVE OUT OF THE AREA.

THESE THUNDERSTORMS COULD PRODUCE STRONG GUSTY WINDS..SMALL HAIL AND
DANGEROUS LIGHTING STRIKES AS THEY MOVE THROUGH THE AREA.

CONDITIONS REMAIN FAVORABLE FOR THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS OR FROMATION OF TORNADOS.  PERSONS ARE URGED TO
REMAIN ALERT AND SEEK SHELTER IF THREATING WEATHER IS SIGHTED OR
A WARNING IS ISSUED.
Special weather statement, May 17, 3:15 PM CDT, 1 hour 42 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON TX
315 PM CDT SAT MAY 17 1986

...A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR A LARGE PORTION OF SOUTHEAST
TEXAS UNTIL 1000 PM CDT...

THE WATCH AREA INCLUDES THE HOUSTON METROPOLITAN AREA AND COUNTIES
NORTH OF HARRIS COUNTY.

AT 315 PM CDT HEAVY THUNDERSTORMS WERE IN HARRIS..MONTGORMERY..POLK
AND SAN JACINTO COUNTIES.  THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS WERE FROM NEAR
KATY THROUGH CONROE THROUGH LAKE LIVINGSTON TO CAMP RUBY.  THE
THUNDERSTORMS WERE MOVING EAST SOUTHEAST AT 25 MPH.

BOATERS AND CAMPERS IN THE LAKE LIVINGSTON AND LAKE CONROE AREA SHOULD
MOVE TO A SHELTERED AREA UNTIL THESE THUNDERSTORMS MOVE OUT OF THE AREA.

THESE THUNDERSTORMS COULD PRODUCE STRONG GUSTY WINDS OF 50 MPH OR HIGHER
SMALL HAIL AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING STRIKES AS THEY MOVE THROUGH THE
AREA.

CONDITIONS REMAIN FAVORABLE FOR THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS OR FORMATION OF TORNADOS.  PERSONS ARE URGED TO
REMAIN ALERT AND SEEK SHELTER IF THREATING WEATHER IS SIGHTED OR
A WARNING IS ISSUED.
Special weather statement, May 17, 3:30 PM CDT, 1 hour 27 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY...CORRECTION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GALVESTON TX
330 PM CDT SAT MAY 17 1986

 ...A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT FOR ALL OF SOUTHEAST
TEXAS INCLUDING GALVESTON AND CHAMBERS COUNTIES.

AT 330 PM CDT A LINE OF VERY HEAVY THUNDERSTORMS STRETCHED FROM THE
SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR...SOUTHWEST TO JUST NORTH OF HOUSTON...ACROSS
TOMBALL TO WEST OF
LA GRANGE.

THIS LINE WAS MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 25 MILES AN HOUR.

ALONG THE LEADING EDGE OF THIS LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS VERY STORNG
GUSTING WINDS ARE OCCURRING...REPORTS OF GUSTS UP TO 75 MILES AN HOUR
HAVE BEEN RECIEVED.

PERSONS SOUTH OF THE THUNDERSTORM LINE SHOULD TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.

THE HEAVIEST THUNDERSTORMS WERE OCCURRING NEAR STEINHAGEN LAKE...AND
SOUTHWEST OF LA GRANGE NEAR FLATONIA.

STAY TUNED TO LOCAL TV...RADIO...OR NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR THE LATEST
INFORMATION OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
Special weather statement, May 17, 4:40 PM CDT, 17 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GALVESTON TX
440 PM CDT SAT MAY 17 1986

 ...A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT FOR ALL OF SOUTHEAST
TEXAS INCLUDING GALVESTON AND CHAMBERS COUNTIES.

AT 330 PM CDT A LINE OF VERY HEAVY THUNDERSTORMS STRETCHED FROM JUST
SOUTH OF HALLETTSVILLE THROUGH EAGLE LAKE TO JUST NORTH OF GALVESTON
AND ON THROUGH SOURLAKE TO JUST SOUTH OF TOLEDO BEND RESERVOIR.

THIS LINE WAS MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 25 MILES AN HOUR.

ALONG THE LEADING EDGE OF THIS LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS VERY STRONG
GUSTING WINDS ARE OCCURRING...REPORTS OF GUSTS UP TO 75 MILES AN HOUR
HAVE BEEN RECIEVED.

PERSONS SOUTH OF THE THUNDERSTORM LINE mSHOULD TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.

WIDESPREAD RAIN WAS OCCURRING OVER THE REMAINDER OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS.

STAY TUNED TO LOCAL TV...RADIO...OR NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR THE LATEST
INFORMATION OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

The office that day

Everything else NWS Houston/Galveston, TX issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 17, 3:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXLiberty57 min
May 17, 3:51 PM CDTTornado WarningHGXFort Bend69 min
May 17, 3:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXHarris63 min
May 17, 4:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXAustin, Colorado, Wharton65 min
May 17, 4:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXWaller65 min
May 17, 4:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXBrazoria65 min
May 17, 4:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXChambers, Galveston60 min
May 17, 5:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXChambers, Galveston60 min
May 17, 5:20 PM CDTTornado WarningHGXBrazoria55 min
May 17, 5:59 PM CDTTornado WarningHGXMatagorda61 min
May 17, 6:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXBrazoria66 min
May 17, 6:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXChambers, Galveston2 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Texas, 1986Every tornado warning in 1986Tornadoes in 1986

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.