Alert archive / Texas / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 5, NWS Houston/Galveston, TX

January 9, 2012Fort Bend County, Harris County, Texas

NWS Houston/Galveston, TX issued this tornado warning at Jan 9, 2012, 8:58 AM CST for Fort Bend County, Harris County, Texas. It was in force for 47 min. 4 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, 8:58 AM CST (14:58 UTC)
Expired
Jan 9, 2012, 9:45 AM CST
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS Houston/Galveston, TX
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Fort Bend County, TX, Harris County, TX

The radar

The Houston radar (KHGX), 49 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 14:58 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, 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
Jan 9, 9:40 AM CSTTSTM WND GST 603 Ne Hilshire Village, TX60 MPH WIND GUST AT HCFCD AT HWY 290 AND LOOP 610.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Lake Charles Mun, LA (KLCH), launched 12:00Z, 3.0 hours before the alert went out and 223 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, Lake Charles Mun, LA at 12:00Z on 2012-01-09Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 610 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, Lake Charles Mun, LA at 12:00Z on 2012-01-09The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 108 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
610 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-7 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
546 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
67 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
108 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
169 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.6
Supercell composite
4.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

622 
WFUS54 KHGX 091458
TORHGX
TXC157-201-091545-
/O.NEW.KHGX.TO.W.0005.120109T1458Z-120109T1545Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LEAGUE CITY HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHEASTERN FORT BEND COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS...  
  HARRIS COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS...

* UNTIL 945 AM CST

* AT 853 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO
  WAS LOCATED NEAR MISSION BEND... MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

  LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD NEAR HIGHWAY 99 AND MASON  
  ROAD AT 850 AM.  

* LOCATIONS IN THE TORNADO WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE
  MEDICAL CENTER...RELIANT PARK...MINUTE MAID PARK...MEMORIAL...HOBBY
  AIRPORT...HERMAN PARK...THE GALLERIA...ADDICKS...WEST UNIVERSITY
  PLACE...TOWN WEST...SUGAR LAND...STAFFORD...SPRING VALLEY...
  SOUTHSIDE PLACE...SOUTH HOUSTON...PINEY POINT VILLAGE...PECAN
  GROVE...MEADOWS...HUNTERS CREEK VILLAGE...HOUSTON...HILSHIRE
  VILLAGE...HEDWIG VILLAGE...FIRST COLONY...BUNKER HILL VILLAGE AND
  BELLAIRE.

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 2993 9533 2962 9520 2956 9571 2972 9579
TIME...MOT...LOC 1456Z 255DEG 25KT 2968 9565

$$
1 follow-up statement
779 
WWUS54 KHGX 091540
SVSHGX

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

TXC157-201-091548-
/O.EXP.KHGX.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-120109T1545Z/
FORT BEND TX-HARRIS TX-
940 AM CST MON JAN 9 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR HARRIS AND FORT BEND COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE
AT 945 AM CST...

THE ROTATION IN THE STORM THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS WEAKENED.
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING CONTINUES FOR HARRIS AND FORT BEND 
COUNTIES UNTIL 10 AM. 

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 2993 9533 2962 9520 2956 9571 2972 9579
TIME...MOT...LOC 1538Z 255DEG 25KT 2976 9533

$$

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, 8:11 AM CSTTornado WarningHGXFort Bend49 min
Jan 9, 8:57 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHGXBrazoria, Fort Bend, Harris63 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.