Alert archive / Texas / Rip Current Statements in 2023

Rip Current Statement 12, NWS Houston/Galveston, TX

March 13, 2023Brazoria County, Galveston County, Matagorda County, Texas

NWS Houston/Galveston, TX issued this rip current statement at Mar 13, 2023, 9:16 AM CDT for Brazoria County, Galveston County, Matagorda County, Texas. It was in force for 3 days.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Mar 13, 2023, 9:16 AM CDT (14:16 UTC)
Expired
Mar 16, 2023, 7:00 PM CDT
In force
3 days
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 14:20 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, 2.3 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 2023-03-13Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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 2023-03-13The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -29 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1131 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
57 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-29 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-111 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

091 
WHUS44 KHGX 131416
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
916 AM CDT Mon Mar 13 2023

TXZ436>439-132230-
/O.NEW.KHGX.RP.S.0012.230313T1416Z-230314T0000Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-Galveston Island-
Bolivar Peninsula-
916 AM CDT Mon Mar 13 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

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

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT 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.

&&

$$
12 follow-up statements
420 
WHUS44 KHGX 131957
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
257 PM CDT Mon Mar 13 2023

TXZ436>439-140400-
/O.EXT.KHGX.RP.S.0012.000000T0000Z-230315T0000Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-Galveston Island-
Bolivar Peninsula-
257 PM CDT Mon Mar 13 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

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

* WHEN...Through Tuesday 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.

&&

$$
629 
WHUS44 KHGX 140827
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
327 AM CDT Tue Mar 14 2023

TXZ436>439-141630-
/O.CON.KHGX.RP.S.0012.000000T0000Z-230315T0000Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-Galveston Island-
Bolivar Peninsula-
327 AM CDT Tue Mar 14 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

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

* WHEN...Through 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. 
Do not 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.

&&

$$
818 
WHUS44 KHGX 141511
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
1011 AM CDT Tue Mar 14 2023

TXZ436>439-142315-
/O.CON.KHGX.RP.S.0012.000000T0000Z-230315T0000Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-Galveston Island-
Bolivar Peninsula-
1011 AM CDT Tue Mar 14 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

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

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT 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.

&&

$$
166 
WHUS44 KHGX 142112
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
412 PM CDT Tue Mar 14 2023

TXZ436>439-150515-
/O.EXT.KHGX.RP.S.0012.000000T0000Z-230316T0000Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-Galveston Island-
Bolivar Peninsula-
412 PM CDT Tue Mar 14 2023

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

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

* WHEN...Through Wednesday 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.

&&

$$
331 
WHUS44 KHGX 150257
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
957 PM CDT Tue Mar 14 2023

TXZ436>439-151500-
/O.CON.KHGX.RP.S.0012.000000T0000Z-230316T0000Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-Galveston Island-
Bolivar Peninsula-
957 PM CDT Tue Mar 14 2023

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

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

* WHEN...Through Wednesday evening.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away
from shore...which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the
sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as groins...jetties
and piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards...beach patrol flags and
signs.

If you become caught in a rip current...yell for help. Remain
calm...do not exhaust yourself and stay afloat while waiting for
help. If you have to swim out of a rip current...SWIM PARALLEL TO
SHORE and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to
swim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly.



&&

$$
910 
WHUS44 KHGX 150844
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
344 AM CDT Wed Mar 15 2023

TXZ436>439-151645-
/O.CON.KHGX.RP.S.0012.000000T0000Z-230316T0000Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-Galveston Island-
Bolivar Peninsula-
344 AM CDT Wed Mar 15 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

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

* WHEN...Through this evening.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away
from shore...which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the
sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as groins...jetties
and piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards...beach patrol flags and
signs.

If you become caught in a rip current...yell for help. Remain
calm...do not exhaust yourself and stay afloat while waiting for
help. If you have to swim out of a rip current...SWIM PARALLEL TO
SHORE and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to
swim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly.

&&

$$
896 
WHUS44 KHGX 151516
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
1016 AM CDT Wed Mar 15 2023

TXZ436>439-152330-
/O.CON.KHGX.RP.S.0012.000000T0000Z-230316T0000Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-Galveston Island-
Bolivar Peninsula-
1016 AM CDT Wed Mar 15 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

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

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT 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.

&&

$$
401 
WHUS44 KHGX 152116
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
416 PM CDT Wed Mar 15 2023

TXZ436>439-160530-
/O.EXT.KHGX.RP.S.0012.000000T0000Z-230317T0000Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-Galveston Island-
Bolivar Peninsula-
416 PM CDT Wed Mar 15 2023

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

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

* WHEN...Through Thursday 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.

&&

$$
758 
WHUS44 KHGX 160214
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
914 PM CDT Wed Mar 15 2023

TXZ436>439-161015-
/O.CON.KHGX.RP.S.0012.000000T0000Z-230317T0000Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-Galveston Island-
Bolivar Peninsula-
914 PM CDT Wed Mar 15 2023

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

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

* WHEN...Through Thursday 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.

&&

$$
955 
WHUS44 KHGX 160927
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
427 AM CDT Thu Mar 16 2023

TXZ436>439-161730-
/O.CON.KHGX.RP.S.0012.000000T0000Z-230317T0000Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-Galveston Island-
Bolivar Peninsula-
427 AM CDT Thu Mar 16 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

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

* WHEN...Through Thursday 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. 
Do not 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.

&&

$$
123 
WHUS44 KHGX 161518
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
1018 AM CDT Thu Mar 16 2023

TXZ438-439-162330-
/O.NEW.KHGX.CF.S.0001.230316T1518Z-230317T0300Z/
/O.CON.KHGX.RP.S.0012.000000T0000Z-230317T0000Z/
Galveston Island-Bolivar Peninsula-
1018 AM CDT Thu Mar 16 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD STATEMENT IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT THIS
EVENING...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...For the Coastal Flood Statement, isolated minor coastal 
  flooding. For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip 
  currents.

* WHERE...Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula Counties.

* WHEN...For the Coastal Flood Statement, until 10 PM CDT this 
  evening. For the High Rip Current Risk, until 7 PM CDT this 
  evening.

* IMPACTS...Some water on low lying roads and property. Rip 
  currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into 
  deeper water.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Do not drive through flooded roadways.

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.

&&

$$

TXZ436-437-162330-
/O.CON.KHGX.RP.S.0012.000000T0000Z-230317T0000Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-
1018 AM CDT Thu Mar 16 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Matagorda Islands and Brazoria Islands Counties.

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT 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.

&&

$$
168 
WHUS44 KHGX 162116
CFWHGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
416 PM CDT Thu Mar 16 2023

TXZ438-439-170300-
/O.CON.KHGX.CF.S.0001.000000T0000Z-230317T0300Z/
/O.CON.KHGX.RP.S.0012.000000T0000Z-230317T0000Z/
Galveston Island-Bolivar Peninsula-
416 PM CDT Thu Mar 16 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT THIS
EVENING...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...For the Coastal Flood Statement, isolated minor coastal 
  flooding. For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip 
  currents.

* WHERE...Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula Counties.

* WHEN...For the Coastal Flood Statement, until 10 PM CDT this 
  evening. For the High Rip Current Risk, until 7 PM CDT this 
  evening.

* IMPACTS...Some water on low lying roads and property. Rip 
  currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into 
  deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Do not drive through flooded roadways.

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.

&&

$$

TXZ436-437-170000-
/O.CON.KHGX.RP.S.0012.000000T0000Z-230317T0000Z/
Matagorda Islands-Brazoria Islands-
416 PM CDT Thu Mar 16 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Matagorda Islands and Brazoria Islands Counties.

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT 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.

&&

$$

Nearby

Rip Current Statements in Texas, 2023Every rip current statement in 2023

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.