Severe Thunderstorm Warning 26, NWS Houston/Galveston, TX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
259 AM CST Mon Feb 20 2017

.DISCUSSION...
At 230 AM, a line of showers and thunderstorms extended north to
south across the CWA from Crockett to Edna. The line will continue
to move slowly east while individual storms will continue to move
north northeast. At 07z, a a weak meso-high and associated cold
pool and outflow extended from about Dallas to La Grange. The
northern end of the line seems to be pushing east a bit faster
than the southern end of the line. 00z 850 mb analysis shows dew
pts between 10-11 degrees over North Texas and between 5 and 9
degrees further south but 850 mb winds were from the south at
25-35 knots so moisture levels expected to continue to increase
this morning. A weak 850 mb trough was located over SW TX. The
best 700 mb moisture was also located over N TX with a weak trough
over W TX. 300 mb winds show a diffluent pattern over E TX with a
deep trough over the 4 corners extending south into northern
Mexico. 00z models suggests that 300 mb winds will become even
more diffluent by 12z and PW values will increase to 1.70-1.80
inches. Instability is weaker over E-SE TX and the window for
severe weather appears to be closing. The primary hazard this
morning will be heavy rain. Will maintain the Flash Flood Watch
but not sure it will be needed after 18z. Instability is weaker
over E-SE TX and the window for severe weather appears to be
closing. The primary hazard this morning will be heavy rain. SE TX
will lie on the east side of the upper trough through this
evening so periods of light rain will persist this afternoon but
heavy rain is not expected after 18z.

The upper level trough axis will push east of the region tonight
and drier weather is expected Tuesday. A weak 500 mb ridge
amplifies slightly over Texas Wed/Thu so continued dry weather is
expected with unseasonably warm temperatures. Another upper level
trough will move across the central Rockies and surface low
pressure will develop in the lee of the Rockies. The sfc low will
move east and drag a cold front across the area Friday afternoon.
Slightly cooler temperatures expected for Saturday as high
pressure moves into the southern plains. Onshore winds resume
Saturday night as the surface high moves east of the region. Warm
air advection will persist on Sunday and patchy light rain will
accompany the warmer temepratures. 43

&&

.MARINE...
Caution conditions were diminishing slightly. However, inflow into
the storms over the inland areas will increase the winds over the
next 3 hours or so. Because of this, will keep the SCEC in place for
the Gulf waters through 12Z.

Otherwise, models were continuing to show thunderstorms developing
over Matagorda Bay and the Gulf waters west of Freeport this
morning. The storms should then begin affecting Galveston Bay and
areas east of Freeport late this morning into early this afternoon.
Impacts expected are strong winds. Storms could affect the marine
areas up to a 6-hour period.

A cold front will then push the rain and thunderstorms east of the
area later tonight and Tuesday. Offshore winds following the system
should persist through Wednesday. Onshore winds will return by
Wednesday night.

40

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
College Station (CLL)      72  57  76  54  79 /  90  20  10  10   0
Houston (IAH)              72  61  77  58  78 / 100  30  20  10  10
Galveston (GLS)            70  63  72  62  71 / 100  50  30  10  10

&&

.HGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...Flash Flood Watch through this afternoon for the following
     zones: Austin...Brazoria...Brazos...Burleson...Chambers...
     Colorado...Fort Bend...Galveston...Grimes...Harris...
     Jackson...Liberty...Madison...Matagorda...Montgomery...San
     Jacinto...Walker...Waller...Washington...Wharton.

GM...SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION until 6 AM CST early this
     morning for the following zones: Coastal waters from
     Freeport to the Matagorda Ship Channel out 20 NM...Coastal
     waters from High Island to Freeport out 20 NM...Waters from
     Freeport to the Matagorda Ship Channel from 20 to 60 NM...
     Waters from High Island to Freeport from 20 to 60 NM.

&&

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
317 AM CST Mon Feb 20 2017

TXZ163-164-176>179-195>200-210>214-226-227-235>238-210930-
Austin-Brazoria-Brazos-Burleson-Chambers-Colorado-Fort Bend-
Galveston-Grimes-Harris-Houston-Jackson-Liberty-Madison-Matagorda-
Montgomery-Polk-San Jacinto-Trinity-Walker-Waller-Washington-
Wharton-
317 AM CST Mon Feb 20 2017

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Southeast Texas..

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms are expected today. Some of the storms
could produce locally heavy rain. At this time, most of the area
will receive between 1 and 3 inches of rain with some isolated
totals between 3 and 5 inches. The threat for damaging winds and
hail is waning. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for a large
portion of Southeast Texas through the afternoon but the threat
for flash flooding will be ending around lunch time with just
patchy light to moderate rain in the afternoon.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

GMZ330-335-350-355-370-375-210930-
Coastal waters from Freeport to the Matagorda Ship Channel out
20 NM-Coastal waters from High Island to Freeport out 20 NM-
Galveston Bay-Matagorda Bay-
Waters from Freeport to the Matagorda Ship Channel from 20 to
60 NM-Waters from High Island to Freeport from 20 to 60 NM-
317 AM CST Mon Feb 20 2017

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Southeast Texas..

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will move across
the coastal waters today. A few of the storms could be strong with
heavy rain reducing visibility and gusty winds.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed.