Alert archive / Texas / Rip Current Statements in 2020

Rip Current Statement 59, NWS Houston/Galveston, TX

December 29, 2020Brazoria County, Galveston County, Matagorda County, Texas

NWS Houston/Galveston, TX issued this rip current statement at Dec 29, 2020, 9:16 AM CST for Brazoria County, Galveston County, Matagorda County, Texas. It was in force for 51 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Dec 29, 2020, 9:16 AM CST (15:16 UTC)
Expired
Dec 31, 2020, 12:00 PM CST
In force
51 hr
Issued by
NWS Houston/Galveston, TX

Counties Brazoria County, TX, Galveston County, TX, Matagorda County, TX

The radar

The Houston radar (KHGX), 54 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 15:17 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

Corpus Christi, TX (KCRP), launched 12:00Z, 3.3 hours before the alert went out and 241 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 2020-12-29Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 67 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 2020-12-29The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 76 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
67 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-440 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
737 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
24 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
76 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
130 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

741 
WHUS44 KHGX 291516
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
916 AM CST Tue Dec 29 2020

TXZ436>438-300000-
/O.NEW.KHGX.RP.S.0059.201229T1516Z-201230T0000Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-
Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula-
916 AM CST Tue Dec 29 2020

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Matagorda Islands, Brazoria Islands and Galveston 
  Island and Bolivar Peninsula Counties.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM CST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away 
  from shore into deeper water.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
7 follow-up statements
668 
WHUS44 KHGX 292117
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
317 PM CST Tue Dec 29 2020

TXZ436>438-301000-
/O.EXT.KHGX.RP.S.0059.000000T0000Z-201231T0000Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-
Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula-
317 PM CST Tue Dec 29 2020

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Matagorda Islands, Brazoria Islands and Galveston 
  Island and Bolivar Peninsula Counties.

* WHEN...Through Wednesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away 
  from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
015 
WHUS44 KHGX 300457
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
1057 PM CST Tue Dec 29 2020

TXZ436>438-301300-
/O.CON.KHGX.RP.S.0059.000000T0000Z-201231T0000Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-
Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula-
1057 PM CST Tue Dec 29 2020

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Matagorda Islands, Brazoria Islands and Galveston 
  Island and Bolivar Peninsula Counties.

* WHEN...Through Wednesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away 
  from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
834 
WHUS44 KHGX 300942
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
342 AM CST Wed Dec 30 2020

TXZ436>438-311800-
/O.EXT.KHGX.RP.S.0059.000000T0000Z-201231T1800Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-
Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula-
342 AM CST Wed Dec 30 2020

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Matagorda Islands, Brazoria Islands and Galveston 
  Island and Bolivar Peninsula Counties.

* WHEN...Through Thursday morning.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away 
  from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
040 
WHUS44 KHGX 301630
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
1030 AM CST Wed Dec 30 2020

TXZ436>438-310030-
/O.CON.KHGX.RP.S.0059.000000T0000Z-201231T1800Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-
Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula-
1030 AM CST Wed Dec 30 2020

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY
MORNING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Matagorda Islands, Brazoria Islands and Galveston 
  Island and Bolivar Peninsula Counties.

* WHEN...Through Thursday morning.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away 
  from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
729 
WHUS44 KHGX 302106
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
306 PM CST Wed Dec 30 2020

TXZ436>438-310515-
/O.CON.KHGX.RP.S.0059.000000T0000Z-201231T1800Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-
Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula-
306 PM CST Wed Dec 30 2020

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY
MORNING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Matagorda Islands, Brazoria Islands and Galveston 
  Island and Bolivar Peninsula Counties.

* WHEN...Through Thursday morning.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away 
  from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
024 
WHUS44 KHGX 310929
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
329 AM CST Thu Dec 31 2020

TXZ436>438-311730-
/O.CON.KHGX.RP.S.0059.000000T0000Z-201231T1800Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-
Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula-
329 AM CST Thu Dec 31 2020

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Matagorda Islands, Brazoria Islands and Galveston 
  Island and Bolivar Peninsula Counties.

* WHEN...Through this morning.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away 
  from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
520 
WHUS44 KHGX 311542
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
942 AM CST Thu Dec 31 2020

TXZ436>438-311800-
/O.CON.KHGX.RP.S.0059.000000T0000Z-201231T1800Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-
Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula-
942 AM CST Thu Dec 31 2020

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Matagorda Islands, Brazoria Islands and Galveston 
  Island and Bolivar Peninsula Counties.

* WHEN...Through this morning.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away 
  from shore into deeper water.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A tornado watch is also in effect for this 
  area until 3 pm CST. Keep the potential for severe weather in mind
  when planning activity outdoors today.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 29, 6:32 AM CSTSmall Craft AdvisoryHGX53 hr

Nearby

Rip Current Statements in Texas, 2020Every rip current statement in 2020

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.