Alert archive / Texas / Rip Current Statements in 2024

Rip Current Statement 1, NWS Brownsville, TX

January 7, 2024Cameron County, Kenedy County, Willacy County, Texas

NWS Brownsville, TX issued this rip current statement at Jan 7, 2024, 2:42 PM CST for Cameron County, Kenedy County, Willacy County, Texas. It took effect at Jan 7, 2024, 9:00 PM CST. It was in force for 45 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jan 7, 2024, 2:42 PM CST (20:42 UTC)
In effect from
Jan 7, 2024, 9:00 PM CST
Expired
Jan 9, 2024, 6:00 PM CST
In force
45 hr
Issued by
NWS Brownsville, TX

Counties Cameron County, TX, Kenedy County, TX, Willacy County, TX

The radar

The Brownsville radar (KBRO), 69 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:42 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

Brownsville Intl, TX (KBRO), launched 12:00Z, 8.7 hours before the alert went out and 71 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, Brownsville Intl, TX at 12:00Z on 2024-01-07Temperature 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, Brownsville Intl, TX at 12:00Z on 2024-01-07The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -14 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1560 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
49 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-14 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-30 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

191 
WHUS44 KBRO 072042
CFWBRO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
242 PM CST Sun Jan 7 2024

TXZ451-454-455-081600-
/O.NEW.KBRO.RP.S.0001.240108T0300Z-240110T0000Z/
Kenedy Island-Willacy Island-Cameron Island-
242 PM CST Sun Jan 7 2024

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM CST THIS EVENING
THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Dangerous longshore and rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Kenedy Island, Willacy Island and Cameron Island 
  Counties.

* WHEN...From 9 PM CST Sunday evening through Tuesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
  from shore into deeper water. Longshore currents can pull
  swimmers far up or down the beach, well aweay from their entry
  point.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Very strong south to north longshore
  currents will develop this evening and continue through Monday
  evening. Currents will quickly turn to a north to south
  longshore, though possibly at lesser intensity if flow is from
  west to east, later Monday night into Tuesday. Residual
  southeasterly swell is likely to make the surf rough and
  confused even as the direction of the current. 

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.

&&

$$

52/BSG
5 follow-up statements
048 
WHUS44 KBRO 080923 AAA
CFWBRO

Coastal Hazard Message...UPDATED
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
323 AM CST Mon Jan 8 2024

TXZ451-454-455-081800-
/O.CON.KBRO.RP.S.0001.000000T0000Z-240110T0000Z/
Kenedy Island-Willacy Island-Cameron Island-
323 AM CST Mon Jan 8 2024

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

* WHAT...Dangerous longshore and rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Kenedy Island, Willacy Island and Cameron Island 
  Counties.

* WHEN...Through Tuesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
  from shore into deeper water. Longshore currents can pull
  swimmers far up or down the beach, well away from their entry 
  point.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Very strong south to north longshore
  currents will develop and continue through Monday evening.
  Currents will quickly turn to a north to south longshore, though
  possibly at lesser intensity if flow is from west to east, later
  Monday night into Tuesday. Residual southeasterly swell is
  likely to make the surf rough and confused even as the direction 
  of the current changes. 

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.

&&

$$
316 
WHUS44 KBRO 081847
CFWBRO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
1247 PM CST Mon Jan 8 2024

TXZ451-454-455-090300-
/O.NEW.KBRO.CF.S.0001.240108T2000Z-240109T0300Z/
/O.CON.KBRO.RP.S.0001.000000T0000Z-240110T0000Z/
Kenedy Island-Willacy Island-Cameron Island-
1247 PM CST Mon Jan 8 2024

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY
AFTERNOON...
...COASTAL FLOOD STATEMENT IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous south to north
  longshore currents with embedded rips. For the Coastal Flood 
  Statement, isolated minor coastal flooding expected.

* WHERE...Kenedy Island, Willacy Island and Cameron Island 
  Counties.

* WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk, through Tuesday 
  afternoon. For the Coastal Flood Statement, until 9 PM CST 
  this evening.

* IMPACTS...Wave run-up may approach the dunes along narrow
  beaches. Beach equipment, such as umbrellas and chairs, could be
  moved by waves. Vehicles driving along narrow beaches may
  experience higher water levels. Elevated water levels may also
  occur across the Laguna Madre and South Bay, and along State
  Highway 4 west of Boca Chica State Park. Strong longshore
  currents can move swimmers far away from their entry points, and
  embedded rips can pull swimmers offshore at the same time. 


* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Beach cameras on South Padre Island are
  indicating a steady rise of water levels nearing the dune line
  on the City Beaches. High tide, at 440 PM, is likely to coincide
  with peak wave run-up which will reach the dunes at narrow
  beaches and may edge to the dune line elsewhere. Conditions will
  continue into the evening as predicted tides remain elevated,
  even immediately after the cold front passes.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move items behind the dune line to be safe. Potential swimmers are
urged to not enter the water today as the very rough surf and
strong currents are life-threatening.


&&

$$
416 
WHUS44 KBRO 090301
CFWBRO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
901 PM CST Mon Jan 8 2024

TXZ451-454-455-100000-
/O.EXP.KBRO.CF.S.0001.000000T0000Z-240109T0300Z/
/O.CON.KBRO.RP.S.0001.000000T0000Z-240110T0000Z/
Kenedy Island-Willacy Island-Cameron Island-
901 PM CST Mon Jan 8 2024

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY
AFTERNOON...
...COASTAL FLOOD STATEMENT HAS EXPIRED...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Kenedy Island, Willacy Island and Cameron Island 
  Counties.

* WHEN...Through Tuesday 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.

&&

$$
955 
WHUS44 KBRO 090922
CFWBRO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
322 AM CST Tue Jan 9 2024

TXZ451-454-455-100000-
/O.NEW.KBRO.SU.Y.0001.240109T1200Z-240110T0000Z/
/O.CON.KBRO.RP.S.0001.000000T0000Z-240110T0000Z/
Kenedy Island-Willacy Island-Cameron Island-
322 AM CST Tue Jan 9 2024

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS
AFTERNOON...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents. 
  For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 6 to 8 
  feet expected in the surf zone.

* WHERE...Kenedy Island, Willacy Island and Cameron Island 
  Counties.

* WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk, through this afternoon. 
  For the High Surf Advisory, until 6 PM CST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and
  localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best
  swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

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.

&&

$$
916 
WHUS44 KBRO 092356
CFWBRO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
556 PM CST Tue Jan 9 2024

TXZ451-454-455-100100-
/O.EXP.KBRO.SU.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-240110T0000Z/
/O.EXP.KBRO.RP.S.0001.000000T0000Z-240110T0000Z/
Kenedy Island-Willacy Island-Cameron Island-
556 PM CST Tue Jan 9 2024

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 6 PM CST THIS EVENING...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK WILL EXPIRE AT 6 PM CST THIS EVENING...

Surf conditions are expected to continue to improve through
tonight and into Wednesday. While there is no longer a high risk
of rip currents, there remains a moderate risk of life threatening
rip currents. 

$$

56

The office that day

Everything else NWS Brownsville, TX issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 7, 9:50 AM CSTSmall Craft AdvisoryBRO32 hr
Jan 7, 2:14 PM CSTWind AdvisoryBROBrooks, Cameron, Hidalgo, Kenedy, Willacy46 hr
Jan 7, 2:34 PM CSTGale WatchBRO19 hr
Jan 7, 2:56 PM CSTFire Weather WatchBROBrooks, Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, Starr and 2 more24 hr

Nearby

Rip Current Statements in Texas, 2024Every rip current statement in 2024

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.