Alert archive / Texas / Tornado Warnings in 1987

Tornado Warning 1, NWS Austin/San Antonio, TX

March 16, 1987Val Verde County, Texas

NWS Austin/San Antonio, TX issued this tornado warning at Mar 16, 1987, 5:42 PM CST for Val Verde County, Texas. It was in force for 58 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Mar 16, 1987, 5:42 PM CST (23:42 UTC)
Expired
Mar 16, 1987, 6:40 PM CST
In force
58 min
Issued by
NWS Austin/San Antonio, TX
Area
Whole counties

County Val Verde County, TX

The radar

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

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Mar 16, 6:05 PM CSTHail 4.5Val Verde, TX

NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in. Storm Data before 1996 records only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail.

The nearest sounding before it

Del Rio, TX (KDRT), launched 12:00Z, 11.7 hours before the alert went out and 66 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, Del Rio, TX at 12:00Z on 1987-03-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 616 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Del Rio, TX at 12:00Z on 1987-03-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 170 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
616 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-133 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
562 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
41 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
170 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
320 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
0.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
TTAA00 KSAT 162345 RRA
TORDRT
TXC465-170040-

BULLETIN - EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DEL RIO TX
542 PM CST MON MAR 16 1987

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE
UNTIL 640 PM CST FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTY IN

SOUTHCENTRAL TEXAS...VAL VERDE.

AT 540 PM CST RADAR INDICATED AN UNCONFIRMED TORNADO 10 MILES WEST OF
DEL RIO MOVING TOWARD DEL RIO AT 25 MPH. GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL WAS
ALSO REPORTED AT] LAKE AMISTAD.

PEOPLE IN THE DEL RIO AREA SHOULD TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.

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, Mar 16, 12:50 PM CST, 4 hours 52 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN ANTONIO TX
1250 PM CST MON MAR 16 1987

...SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK POSSIBLE FOR SOUTH TEXAS TONIGHT...

AN UPPER-LEVEL STORM SYSTEM...ALONG WITH AN ACCOMPANYING SURFACE
COLD FRONT...IS EXPECTED TO APPROACH SOUTH TEXAS FROM THE WEST LATE
THIS AFTERNOON AND PUSH ACROSS THE STATE TONIGHT AND TUESDAY.

ABUNDANT LOW-LEVEL MOISTURE CONTINUES TO BE PUMPED NORTHWARD INTO
TEXAS FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO.  THIS RICH AND WARM MOISTURE-LADEN
AIR WILL BE LIFTED THIS AFTERNOON DUE TO SURFACE HEATING AND LIFTED
FURTHER TONIGHT INTO THUNDERSTORM CLOUDS AS THE UPPER-LEVEL TROUGH
AND SURFACE FRONT TRIGGERS SEVERE WEATHER.

THUNDERSTORMS WILL INITIALLY DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON ACROSS THE HILL
COUNTRY AND EDWARDS PLATEAU...THEN SWEEP EASTWARD ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL
TEXAS AND THE COASTAL BEND TONIGHT...AND INTO SOUTHEAST TEXAS TUESDAY.
ABOUT THE ONLY PART OF SOUTH TEXAS THAT MAY BE SPARED THE THREAT OF
SEVERE WEATHER IS THE LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY...WHERE THUNDERSTORMS
MAY STAY BELOW SEVERE LIMITS.  SEVERE WEATHER IS ALSO FORECAST FOR
MUCH OF NORTH TEXAS AND PARTS OF WEST TEXAS AS WELL.

RESIDENTS OF SOUTH TEXAS...FROM THE HILL COUNTRY EASTWARD ACROSS
SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS AND COASTAL BEND INTO SOUTHEAST TEXAS...SHOULD
MONITOR RADIO...TV OR NOAA WEATHER RADIO BROADCASTS THIS AFTERNOON
AND TONIGHT...AND BE PREPARED TO MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IF SEVERE
WEATHER IS SIGHTED...OR SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS ARE ISSUED.

REMEMBER...SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IMPLY FREQUENT LIGHTNING...DAMAGING
SURFACE WINDS OVER 58 MPH AND THREE-QUARTER INCH DIAMETER HAIL OR
GREATER.  SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OFTEN PRODUCE TORNADOES WITH
LITTLE OR NO ADVANCE WARNING...AS WELL AS LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL
WHICH MAY CAUSE FLASH FLOODING OF CREEKS...LOW-WATER CROSSINGS OR
STREETS AND ROADS.

STAY TUNED.  ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS OR BULLETINS WILL BE ISSUED BY
TEXAS WEATHER SERVICE OFFICES AS CONDITIONS DEVELOP.  LISTEN FOR
THESE BROADCASTS...AND HEED THEIR ADVICE.  THEY COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE.
Special weather statement, Mar 16, 3:38 PM CST, 2 hours 4 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DEL RIO TX
337 PM CST MON MAR 16 1987

...A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR VAL VERDE COUNTY UNTIL 900 PM
CST...

AT 335 PM CST RADAR INDICATED THUNDERSTORMS FROM 25 MILES
NORTHWEST OF DEL RIO TO 75 MILES NORTHWEST OF DEL RIO. THESE
STORMS WERE BUILDING RAPIDLY AND MOVING TO THE SOUTHEAST AT 5 MPH.

BOATERS ON LAKE AMISTAD SHOULD KEEP A LOOKOUT FOR STRONG GUSTY WINDS
AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING AS THESE STORMS MOVE ACROSS LAKE AMISTAD.

REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR
TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH
AREA. PEOPLE IN VAL VERDE COUNTY SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR
THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS
AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
Special weather statement, Mar 16, 4:01 PM CST, 1 hour 41 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN ANTONIO TX
403 PM CST MON MAR 16 1987

...TORNADO WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM TONIGHT FOR MUCH OF THE
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY AND EDWARDS PLATEAU...

AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE IN NEW MEXICO THIS AFTERNOON WILL MOVE SLOWLY
EASTWARD TONIGHT AS A COLD FRONT CURRENTLY IN WEST TEXAS MOVES INTO
CENTRAL TEXAS.  THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO FORM IN THE VERY MOIST
AND UNSTABLE AIRMASS OVER SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS.  THE NECESSARY WEATHER
CONDITIONS HAVE COME TOGETHER TO PRODUCE A THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER.

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS HAVE FORMED IN THE WESTERN PORTION OF THE HILL
COUNTRY SOUTHWESTWARD TO NEAR DEL RIO.  THESE STORMS ARE MOVING TO THE
NORTHEAST AT NEAR 30 MILES AN HOUR.  AS THESE STORMS CONTINUE TO
DEVELOP AND MOVE EASTWARD ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS...A VERY REAL
THREAT OF LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WIND AND PERHAPS EVEN TORNADOES EXISTS.

RESIDENTS OF SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS ARE ASKED TO KEEP TUNED TO A SOURCE OF
WEATHER INFORMATION...AND BE READY TO MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IF
SEVERE WEATHER IS REPORTED OR A WARNING IS ISSUED.  IT IS VERY POSSIBLE
THAT THE TORNADO WATCH WILL BE EXTENDED EASTWARD THIS EVENING ACROSS
THE REMAINDER OF SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS...INCLUDING THE SAN ANTONIO AREA.

REMEMBER...SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MAY ALSO PRODUCE HEAVY RAINFALL AND VERY
DEADLY AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING.  LOW WATER CROSSINGS AS WELL AS POORLY
DRAINED STREETS AND HIGHWAYS MAY FLOOD.  MOTORISTS SHOULD USE EXTRA
CAUTION IN AND NEAR HEAVY RAINFALL.
Special weather statement, Mar 16, 5:07 PM CST, 35 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN ANTONIO TX
507 PM CST MON MAR 16 1987

...TORNADO WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM TONIGHT FOR MUCH OF THE
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY AND EDWARDS PLATEAU...

WIDELY SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WERE INDICATED AT 500 PM THIS AFTERNOON
BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR IN AN AREA WEST OF A LINE FROM DEL
RIO TO JUNCTION.  MARBLE SIZED HAIL WAS REPORTED AT COMSTOCK IN VAL
VERDE COUNTY JUST BEFORE 500 PM AS THE STORMS MOVED ACROSS.  VERY HEAVY
RAIN WAS ALSO INDICATED IN THE STORMS IN VAL VERDE COUNTY.  THE ACTIVITY
WAS MOVING TO THE NORTHEAST AT NEAR 30 MILES AN HOUR.

LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WIND AND ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE AS THESE
VERY INTENSE STORMS CONTINUE TO DEVELOP EASTWARD INTO SOUTH CENTRAL
TEXAS TONIGHT.  VERY FREQUENT...DEADLY LIGHTNING AND BRIEF HEAVY RAIN
ARE ALSO EXPECTED.  FLOODING AND LIGHTNING ARE THE TWO MAJOR CAUSES OF
WEATHER RELATED DEATHS IN SOUTH TEXAS.
<
IF SEVERE WEATHER IS REPORTED OR A WARNING IS ISSUED...RESIDENTS IN THE
THREATENED COUNTY SEEK FOR SHELTER IN A WELL BUILT HOME OR STURDY
BUILDING.  MOVE INTO THE CENTER PORTION OF THE BUILDING ON THE LOWEST
FLOOR AND STAY AWAY FROM DOORS AND WINDOWS4.

IF A TORNADO THREATENS...CROUCH LOW ON THE FLOOR...PROTECTING THE HEAD
WITH HANDS AND ARMS.  ABOVE ALL ELSE...DO NOT REMAIN IN A VEHICLE.  THEY
ARE HIGH PROFILED AND VERY SUBJECT TO BEING OVERTURNED AND CRUSHED IN
HIGH WINDS.

The office that day

Everything else NWS Austin/San Antonio, TX issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 16, 4:41 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEWXVal Verde59 min
Mar 16, 5:48 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEWXKinney57 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Texas, 1987Every tornado warning in 1987Tornadoes in 1987

Sources

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