Alert archive / Texas / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 4, NWS Houston/Galveston, TX

January 9, 2012Fort Bend County, Texas

NWS Houston/Galveston, TX issued this tornado warning at Jan 9, 2012, 8:11 AM CST for Fort Bend County, Texas. It was in force for 49 min. 7 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jan 9, 2012, 8:11 AM CST (14:11 UTC)
Expired
Jan 9, 2012, 9:00 AM CST
In force
49 min
Issued by
NWS Houston/Galveston, TX
Area
Storm-based polygon

County Fort Bend County, TX

The radar

The Houston radar (KHGX), 77 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 14:10 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jan 9, 8:45 AM CSTTORNADO6 Wnw Pecan Grove, TXTREES AND POWER LINES DOWN...PADDLE BOAT IN TREE. WITNESSES OBSERVED FUNNEL CLOUD OVER DAMAGE AREA NEAR FM 723 AND OAK KNOLL ROAD. TORNADO RATED EF0.
Jan 9, 8:50 AM CSTFUNNEL CLOUD3 Wnw Sugar Land, TXCOUNTY SHERIFF REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD AT GRAND PARKWAY HWY 99 AND MASON ROAD
Jan 9, 8:55 AM CSTHAIL 1Mission Bend, TX
Jan 9, 9:00 AM CSTHAIL 0.752 N Richmond, TXPENNY SIZE HAIL AT BELLAIRE AND HWY 99 NORTH OF RICHMOND
Jan 9, 9:05 AM CSTTSTM WND DMG4 Wnw Meadows, TXROOF DAMAGE TO HOMES. GARAGE DOORS BLOWN IN. POSSIBLE TORNADO. TIME ESTIMATED.
Jan 9, 9:05 AM CSTTORNADO 15 Wnw Meadows, TXAN EF-1 TORNADO WITH WINDS OF 95 MPH TOUCHED DOWN NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF BISSONNET STREET AND GAINS ROAD IN MISSION BEND OF FORT BEND COUNTY. SEVERAL HOMES WERE DAMAGED WITH ONE HAVING SIGNIFICANT ROOF DAMAGE. DAMAGE PATH LENGTH WAS 0.50 MILES WITH A WIDTH O
Jan 9, 9:05 AM CSTTORNADO5 Wnw Meadows, TXAN EF-1 TORNADO WITH WINDS OF 95 MPH TOUCHED DOWN NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF BISSONNET STREET AND GAINS ROAD IN MISSION BEND OF FORT BEND COUNTY. SEVERAL HOMES WERE DAMAGED WITH ONE HAVING SIGNIFICANT ROOF DAMAGE. DAMAGE PATH LENGTH WAS 0.50 MILES WITH A WIDTH O

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Corpus Christi, TX (KCRP), launched 12:00Z, 2.2 hours before the alert went out and 257 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, Corpus Christi, TX at 12:00Z on 2012-01-09Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2080 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, Corpus Christi, TX at 12:00Z on 2012-01-09The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 183 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
2080 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-4 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
458 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
45 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
183 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
182 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.8
Supercell composite
8.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

644 
WFUS54 KHGX 091411
TORHGX
TXC157-091500-
/O.NEW.KHGX.TO.W.0004.120109T1411Z-120109T1500Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX
811 AM CST MON JAN 9 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LEAGUE CITY HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHWESTERN FORT BEND COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS...

* UNTIL 900 AM CST

* AT 806 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO
  WAS LOCATED NEAR ORCHARD... MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE TORNADO WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  TOWN WEST...RICHMOND...PECAN GROVE AND FULSHEAR.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN THE INTERIOR HALLWAY OR
A ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF A STURDY BUILDING. USE
BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM
WINDOWS.

IF YOU ARE INSIDE A MOBILE HOME OR VEHICLE...EVACUATE THEM
IMMEDIATELY AND SEEK SHELTER INSIDE A STURDY BUILDING. AS A LAST
RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A CULVERT...DITCH OR LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR
HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

&&

PLEASE REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO THE COUNTY SHERIFF...LOCAL POLICE...
OR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND ASK THEM TO RELAY YOUR REPORT TO
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

LAT...LON 2956 9570 2957 9602 2961 9603 2964 9602
      2972 9593 2979 9583 2967 9562
TIME...MOT...LOC 1410Z 249DEG 21KT 2961 9599

$$
1 follow-up statement
014 
WWUS54 KHGX 091434
SVSHGX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX
834 AM CST MON JAN 9 2012

TXC157-091500-
/O.CON.KHGX.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120109T1500Z/
FORT BEND TX-
834 AM CST MON JAN 9 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 AM CST FOR FORT BEND
COUNTY...

AT 830 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 3 MILES SOUTH OF 
FULSHEAR...OR 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF RICHMOND...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO PECAN
GROVE...TOWN WEST AND MISSION BEND

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN THE INTERIOR HALLWAY OR
A ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF A STURDY BUILDING. USE
BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM
WINDOWS.

IF YOU ARE INSIDE A MOBILE HOME OR VEHICLE...EVACUATE THEM
IMMEDIATELY AND SEEK SHELTER INSIDE A STURDY BUILDING. AS A LAST
RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A CULVERT...DITCH OR LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR
HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

&&

PLEASE REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO THE COUNTY SHERIFF...LOCAL POLICE...
OR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND ASK THEM TO RELAY YOUR REPORT TO
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

LAT...LON 2956 9570 2957 9589 2962 9593 2966 9594
      2972 9589 2979 9582 2967 9562
TIME...MOT...LOC 1433Z 249DEG 21KT 2966 9585

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 8, 10:44 PM CSTMarine Dense Fog AdvisoryHGX19 hr
Jan 9, 2:20 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementHGXChambers40 min
Jan 9, 4:40 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementHGXMadison65 min
Jan 9, 4:58 AM CSTTornado WarningHGXHouston, Madison, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker47 min
Jan 9, 5:45 AM CSTTornado WarningHGXPolk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker44 min
Jan 9, 5:52 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementHGXMontgomery53 min
Jan 9, 6:02 AM CSTTornado WarningHGXMontgomery58 min
Jan 9, 6:40 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementHGXAustin, Colorado65 min
Jan 9, 7:17 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXAustin, Colorado, Fort Bend, Waller, Wharton43 min
Jan 9, 7:58 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXAustin, Fort Bend, Harris, Waller, Wharton62 min
Jan 9, 8:57 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXBrazoria, Fort Bend, Harris63 min
Jan 9, 8:58 AM CSTTornado WarningHGXFort Bend, Harris47 min
Jan 9, 9:20 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementHGXWharton25 min
Jan 9, 9:28 AM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryHGXFort Bend, Harris2 hr
Jan 9, 9:35 AM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryHGXLiberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto115 min
Jan 9, 9:40 AM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryHGXBrazoria, Fort Bend, Matagorda, Wharton2 hr
Jan 9, 9:49 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXBrazoria, Matagorda, Wharton41 min
Jan 9, 9:52 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningHGXFort Bend, Harris, Wharton3 hr
Jan 9, 9:58 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXBrazoria, Fort Bend, Wharton32 min
Jan 9, 10:13 AM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryHGXHarris, Montgomery, Waller2 hr
Jan 9, 10:17 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXBrazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Harris43 min
Jan 9, 10:21 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningHGXLiberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto3 hr
Jan 9, 10:25 AM CSTSpecial Marine WarningHGX2 hr
Jan 9, 10:33 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXBrazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Matagorda, Wharton42 min
Jan 9, 10:37 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningHGXChambers, Harris, Liberty3 hr
Jan 9, 10:46 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementHGXLiberty44 min
Jan 9, 11:06 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningHGXBrazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris3 hr
Jan 9, 11:11 AM CSTTornado WarningHGXBrazoria, Fort Bend27 min
Jan 9, 11:26 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXBrazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris64 min
Jan 9, 11:35 AM CSTTornado WarningHGXBrazoria, Galveston25 min
Jan 9, 11:54 AM CSTRiver Flood WarningHGXHarris22 hr
Jan 9, 12:16 PM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryHGXMatagorda119 min
Jan 9, 12:27 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXBrazoria, Galveston48 min
Jan 9, 12:39 PM CSTSpecial Marine WarningHGX66 min
Jan 9, 12:39 PM CSTTornado WarningHGXGalveston36 min
Jan 9, 12:48 PM CSTSpecial Marine WarningHGX117 min
Jan 9, 1:16 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXBrazoria, Galveston29 min
Jan 9, 1:41 PM CSTSpecial Marine WarningHGX64 min
Jan 9, 2:05 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXChambers, Galveston25 min
Jan 9, 2:16 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningHGXBrazoria, Chambers, Galveston2 hr
Jan 9, 2:52 PM CSTSpecial Marine WarningHGX83 min
Jan 9, 2:56 PM CSTSmall Craft AdvisoryHGX11 hr
Jan 9, 3:08 PM CSTSpecial Marine WarningHGX67 min
Jan 9, 4:19 PM CSTSpecial Marine WarningHGX56 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Texas, 2012Every tornado warning in 2012Tornadoes in 2012

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.