Alert archive / Texas / Flash Flood Warnings in 1997
Flash Flood Warning 27, NWS Houston/Galveston, TX
NWS Houston/Galveston, TX issued this flash flood warning at Apr 4, 1997, 6:32 AM CST for Liberty County, Texas. It was in force for 118 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Apr 4, 1997, 6:32 AM CST (12:32 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 4, 1997, 8:30 AM CST
- In force
- 118 min
- Issued by
- NWS Houston/Galveston, TX
- Area
- Whole counties
County Liberty County, TX
The radar
The Houston radar (KHGX), 80 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 12:35 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
The nearest sounding before it
Lake Charles Mun, LA (KLCH), launched 12:00Z, 0.5 hours before the alert went out and 155 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 388 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -27 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 498 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 39 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 257 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 288 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 3.9
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
000 TTAA00 KHOU 041233 FFWHOU TXC291-041430- BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED FLASH FLOOD WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX 632 AM CST FRI APR 4 1997 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HOUSTON/GALVESTON HAS ISSUED A FLASH FLOOD WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 830 AM CST FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION... IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS ...LIBERTY COUNTY AT 632 AM...RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF STRONG STORMS EXTENDING FROM DAYTON TO HOUSTON TO JULIFF. MOVEMENT WAS TO THE EAST NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH. RAINFALL RATES OF 2 TO 3 INCHES PER HOUR CAN BE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS AND WILL LIKELY CAUSE FLASH FLOODING. MOST DEATHS IN FLASH FLOODING OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS BRIDGES...DIPS...OR UNDERPASSES IF WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING STREAM...EVEN A SMALL ONE...ON FOOT.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Houston/Galveston, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Apr 4, 2:35 AM CST, 3 hours 57 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 4, 2:35 AM CST, 3 hours 57 minutes before
SOUTHEAST TEXAS FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX 235 AM CST FRI APR 4 1997 MCS MOVG INTO THE SWRN COUNTIES OF THE FA AT THIS HR. THIS AREA OF STRMS IS SHOWN WELL BY THE 06HR NGM. HGX RADAR NOW ON A TROPICAL Z-R RELATIONSHIP...AND THE 3 HR PCPN SHOWED 1.25 TO 1.5 INCHES AT VCT WITH ACTUAL REPORTS BEING 1 INCH. CRP 3 HR PCPN AT VCT WAS ALSO IN THE 1.25 TO 1.5 INCH RANGE. LOOKS LIKE THIS BATCH OF TSTMS WL MOV THRU SETX THIS AM...ENDING AROUND 12Z OR SO. NGM 500 MB VORT FCSTS THE NEXT BATCH OF TSTMS TO AFFECT THE FA AROUND MIDDAY AND LASTING THRU THE AFT. THE CDFNT THEN MOVS INTO THE CLL AREA LATE THIS EVE... THRU IAH/HOU BETWEEN 06Z AND 09Z...THEN TO THE CST BEFORE 12Z. WL NEED TO KEEP THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH UP THRU TDY AND CONSIDER XTDG THE WATCH THRU TONIGHT. AS THE CDFNT FINALLY MOVS INTO THE FA TONIGHT FEEL THAT A SQUALL LINE WL BRING MORE CHCS FOR HVY RNFL. PW/S WL BE NR 2 INCHES WITH THE RRQ OF THE JET PUTTING SETX IN A FAVORABLE AREA FOR SVR TSTMS WITH HVY RNFL. NEXT ITEM OF BUSINESS CONCERNS THE COASTAL FLOOD WATCH. IF THE TIDES APRCH 5 FEET WL NEED TO PUT OUT A WARNING. LOW TIDES WL OCCUR AFTER 12Z WITH THE HIGH TIDE IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON. TIDE LVLS NOW WERE APRCHG 2 FEET ABV NORMAL. SATURDAY...THERE WL BE A NICE BREAK FM ALL OF THE ROUGH WX THO THE WEST WNDS WL BE A BIT BREEZY. RETURN FLOW BEGINS AGAIN BY SAT NGT. WL GO BLOW FWC HIGHS 1ST PD...THEN NR FWC TEMPS. AGREE WITH POPS. 40 PRELIMS... CLL TTBB 73/60 79/58 +9-- (HVY RNFL POSSIBLE TDY/TONIGHT) IAH TTBB 74/63 80/56 +9-- (HVY RNFL POSSIBLE TDY/TONIGHT) GLS TTBB 72/69 77/60 +92- (HVY RNFL POSSIBLE TDY/TONIGHT) (GLS...3RD PD BCMG PARTLY CLDY)
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Apr 4, 2:49 AM CST, 3 hours 43 minutes before
TXZ176>179-195>200-210>214-226-227-235>238-042155- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX 349 AM CDT FRI APR 4 1997 THERE IS A MODERATE RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TODAY AND TONIGHT ACROSS ALL OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS. CITIES INCLUDED IN THE RISK AREA ARE BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION...HOUSTON...GALVESTON...AND CONROE. AS A WARM FRONT MOVES NORTH INTO SOUTHEAST TEXAS TODAY...UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCES WILL MOVE OVER THE WARM...MOIST...AND UNSTABLE AIRMASS OVER THE REGION. STRONG UPPER LEVEL WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH THESE FACTORS TO HELP GENERATE THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE AREA. A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL THEN MOVE INTO SOUTHEAST TEXAS TONIGHT. THE REGION WILL BE UNDER A FAVORABLE AREA OF THE JET STREAM...AND A SQUALL LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED TO FORM AHEAD OF THE FRONT. SOME OF THE STORMS MAY BE SEVERE...AND THE PRIMARY THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS AND HAIL. ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. RESIDENTS ACROSS SOUTHEAST TEXAS ARE URGED TO STAY INFORMED ON THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION TODAY AND TONIGHT. STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS SHOULD BE READY FOR POSSIBLE ACTIVATION DURING THIS PERIOD. MARINERS ON THE BAYS AND COASTAL WATERS SHOULD BE ALERT TO STRONG THUNDERSTORMS THAT ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE AREA TODAY AND TONIGHT. THE SQUALL LINE IS EXPECTED TO MOVE THROUGH THE COAST TONIGHT WITH THE COLD FRONT THEN MOVING THROUGH THE COAST BY SUNRISE. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER WEATHER NEWS SOURCES FOR LATER UPDATES OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
Special weather statement, Apr 4, 2:58 AM CST, 3 hours 34 minutes before
TXZ176>179-195>200-210>214-226-227-235>238-042155- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX 358 AM CDT FRI APR 4 1997 THERE IS A MODERATE RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TODAY AND TONIGHT ACROSS ALL OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS. CITIES INCLUDED IN THE RISK AREA ARE BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION...HOUSTON...GALVESTON...AND CONROE. AS A WARM FRONT MOVES NORTH INTO SOUTHEAST TEXAS TODAY...UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCES WILL MOVE OVER THE WARM...MOIST...AND UNSTABLE AIRMASS OVER THE REGION. STRONG UPPER LEVEL WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH THESE FACTORS TO HELP GENERATE THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE AREA. A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL THEN MOVE INTO SOUTHEAST TEXAS TONIGHT. THE REGION WILL BE UNDER A FAVORABLE AREA OF THE JET STREAM...AND A SQUALL LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED TO FORM AHEAD OF THE FRONT. SOME OF THE STORMS MAY BE SEVERE...AND THE PRIMARY THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS AND HAIL. ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. RESIDENTS ACROSS SOUTHEAST TEXAS ARE URGED TO STAY INFORMED ON THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION TODAY AND TONIGHT. STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS SHOULD BE READY FOR POSSIBLE ACTIVATION DURING THIS PERIOD. MARINERS ON THE BAYS AND COASTAL WATERS SHOULD BE ALERT TO STRONG THUNDERSTORMS THAT ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE AREA TODAY AND TONIGHT. THE SQUALL LINE IS EXPECTED TO MOVE THROUGH THE COAST TONIGHT WITH THE COLD FRONT THEN MOVING OFF THE COAST BY SUNRISE. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER WEATHER NEWS SOURCES FOR LATER UPDATES OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
Special weather statement, Apr 4, 3:49 AM CST, 2 hours 43 minutes before
TXZ176>179-195>200-210>214-226-227-235>238-042155- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX 349 AM CDT FRI APR 4 1997 THERE IS A MODERATE RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TODAY AND TONIGHT ACROSS ALL OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS. CITIES INCLUDED IN THE RISK AREA ARE BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION...HOUSTON...GALVESTON...AND CONROE. AS A WARM FRONT MOVES NORTH INTO SOUTHEAST TEXAS TODAY...UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCES WILL MOVE OVER THE WARM...MOIST...AND UNSTABLE AIRMASS OVER THE REGION. STRONG UPPER LEVEL WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH THESE FACTORS TO HELP GENERATE THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE AREA. A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL THEN MOVE INTO SOUTHEAST TEXAS TONIGHT. THE REGION WILL BE UNDER A FAVORABLE AREA OF THE JET STREAM...AND A SQUALL LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED TO FORM AHEAD OF THE FRONT. SOME OF THE STORMS MAY BE SEVERE...AND THE PRIMARY THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS AND HAIL. ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. RESIDENTS ACROSS SOUTHEAST TEXAS ARE URGED TO STAY INFORMED ON THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION TODAY AND TONIGHT. STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS SHOULD BE READY FOR POSSIBLE ACTIVATION DURING THIS PERIOD. MARINERS ON THE BAYS AND COASTAL WATERS SHOULD BE ALERT TO STRONG THUNDERSTORMS THAT ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE AREA TODAY AND TONIGHT. THE SQUALL LINE IS EXPECTED TO MOVE THROUGH THE COAST TONIGHT WITH THE COLD FRONT THEN MOVING THROUGH THE COAST BY SUNRISE. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER WEATHER NEWS SOURCES FOR LATER UPDATES OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
Special weather statement, Apr 4, 3:58 AM CST, 2 hours 34 minutes before
TXZ176>179-195>200-210>214-226-227-235>238-042155- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX 358 AM CDT FRI APR 4 1997 THERE IS A MODERATE RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TODAY AND TONIGHT ACROSS ALL OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS. CITIES INCLUDED IN THE RISK AREA ARE BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION...HOUSTON...GALVESTON...AND CONROE. AS A WARM FRONT MOVES NORTH INTO SOUTHEAST TEXAS TODAY...UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCES WILL MOVE OVER THE WARM...MOIST...AND UNSTABLE AIRMASS OVER THE REGION. STRONG UPPER LEVEL WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH THESE FACTORS TO HELP GENERATE THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE AREA. A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL THEN MOVE INTO SOUTHEAST TEXAS TONIGHT. THE REGION WILL BE UNDER A FAVORABLE AREA OF THE JET STREAM...AND A SQUALL LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED TO FORM AHEAD OF THE FRONT. SOME OF THE STORMS MAY BE SEVERE...AND THE PRIMARY THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS AND HAIL. ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. RESIDENTS ACROSS SOUTHEAST TEXAS ARE URGED TO STAY INFORMED ON THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION TODAY AND TONIGHT. STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS SHOULD BE READY FOR POSSIBLE ACTIVATION DURING THIS PERIOD. MARINERS ON THE BAYS AND COASTAL WATERS SHOULD BE ALERT TO STRONG THUNDERSTORMS THAT ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE AREA TODAY AND TONIGHT. THE SQUALL LINE IS EXPECTED TO MOVE THROUGH THE COAST TONIGHT WITH THE COLD FRONT THEN MOVING OFF THE COAST BY SUNRISE. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER WEATHER NEWS SOURCES FOR LATER UPDATES OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
The office that day
Everything else NWS Houston/Galveston, TX issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 4, 2:59 AM CST | Flash Flood Warning | HGX | Jackson | 2 hr |
| Apr 4, 3:04 AM CST | Tornado Warning | HGX | Jackson | 56 min |
| Apr 4, 3:39 AM CST | Flash Flood Warning | HGX | Wharton | 3 hr |
| Apr 4, 4:32 AM CST | Flash Flood Warning | HGX | Fort Bend | 3 hr |
| Apr 4, 4:49 AM CST | Flash Flood Warning | HGX | Jackson | 116 min |
| Apr 4, 5:35 AM CST | Flash Flood Warning | HGX | Harris | 115 min |
| Apr 4, 7:29 AM CST | Flash Flood Warning | HGX | Harris | 2 hr |
| Apr 4, 1:40 PM CST | Tornado Warning | HGX | Houston | 60 min |
| Apr 4, 2:05 PM CST | Tornado Warning | HGX | Trinity | 60 min |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Texas, 1997Every flash flood warning in 1997
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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.