Alert archive / Texas / Tornado Warnings in 2024

Tornado Warning 100, NWS Lake Charles, LA

December 28, 2024Jefferson County, Texas

NWS Lake Charles, LA issued this tornado warning at Dec 28, 2024, 2:58 PM CST for Jefferson County, Texas. It was in force for 47 min. 2 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
Dec 28, 2024, 2:58 PM CST (20:58 UTC)
Expired
Dec 28, 2024, 3:45 PM CST
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS Lake Charles, LA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Damage threat
Considerable
Hail
1.25 in

County Jefferson County, TX

The radar

The Lake Charles radar (KLCH), 84 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:57 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
Dec 28, 3:10 PM CSTTORNADO10 Ssw Hamshire, TX*** 1 INJ *** Tornado continued into southwest Jefferson County from Chambers County. It snapped off power poles at French Rd before continuing northeast. An area of trees were snapped off and uprooted just south of the Big Hill Strategic Oil Reserve. Tornado
Dec 28, 3:25 PM CSTTORNADO9 Sse Hamshire, TX*** 1 INJ *** Report of a minor injury as a motorist was caught in the tornado crossing Jefferson County earlier. Time and location approximate.

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

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 2 storm reports to this tornado warning; the first came 12 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Dec 28, 2:17 PM CSTTornado Watch PDSSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Lake Charles Mun, LA (KLCH), launched 12:00Z, 9.0 hours before the alert went out and 85 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 2024-12-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2104 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°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 2024-12-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 155 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
2104 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-5 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
579 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
33 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
155 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
186 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.7
Supercell composite
11.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

492 
WFUS54 KLCH 282058
TORLCH
TXC245-282145-
/O.NEW.KLCH.TO.W.0100.241228T2058Z-241228T2145Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
258 PM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Jefferson County in southeastern Texas...

* Until 345 PM CST.

* At 257 PM CST, a large and extremely dangerous tornado was located 
  near Stowell, or 12 miles southwest of Hamshire, moving east at 50 
  mph.

  This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris 
           may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile 
           homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
           businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete 
           destruction is possible.

* The tornado will be near...
  Hamshire around 305 PM CST.
  La Belle around 310 PM CST.
  Port Arthur around 315 PM CST.
  Port Acres around 320 PM CST.
  Nederland, Southeast Texas Regional Airport, and Port Neches 
  around 325 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Sea
Rim State Park.

This includes Interstate 10 in Texas between mile markers 838 and
832.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is developing. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move to
an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid
windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move
to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying
debris.

&&

LAT...LON 2987 9436 3008 9405 3007 9403 3003 9403
      3003 9400 2987 9392 2984 9392 2985 9394
      2984 9395 2982 9393 2982 9392 2980 9395
      2981 9393 2977 9393 2976 9390 2969 9384
      2967 9386 2968 9402 2961 9423 2959 9435
TIME...MOT...LOC 2057Z 247DEG 49KT 2971 9442 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN

$$

Rua
3 follow-up statements
847 
WWUS54 KLCH 282109
SVSLCH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
309 PM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

TXC245-282145-
/O.CON.KLCH.TO.W.0100.000000T0000Z-241228T2145Z/
Jefferson TX-
309 PM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CST FOR SOUTHERN
JEFFERSON COUNTY...

At 308 PM CST, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located near Stowell, or 11 miles south of Hamshire, moving northeast
at 30 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

The tornado will be near...
  La Belle around 330 PM CST.
  Port Arthur around 340 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Sea
Rim State Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid
windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move
to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying
debris.

&&

LAT...LON 2983 9436 3000 9407 2971 9394 2960 9435
TIME...MOT...LOC 2108Z 247DEG 24KT 2971 9437 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN

$$

Kowalski
831 
WWUS54 KLCH 282125
SVSLCH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
325 PM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

TXC245-282145-
/O.CON.KLCH.TO.W.0100.000000T0000Z-241228T2145Z/
Jefferson TX-
325 PM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CST FOR CENTRAL
JEFFERSON COUNTY...

At 325 PM CST, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located 8 miles south of La Belle, or 9 miles southeast of Hamshire,
moving northeast at 40 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

The tornado will be near...
  Port Arthur and La Belle around 330 PM CST.
  Port Acres around 335 PM CST.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid
windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move
to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying
debris.

&&

LAT...LON 2981 9430 3000 9407 2971 9394 2968 9426
TIME...MOT...LOC 2125Z 241DEG 39KT 2976 9420 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

Kowalski
410 
WWUS54 KLCH 282136
SVSLCH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
336 PM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

TXC245-282145-
/O.CON.KLCH.TO.W.0100.000000T0000Z-241228T2145Z/
Jefferson TX-
336 PM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CST FOR CENTRAL
JEFFERSON COUNTY...

At 335 PM CST, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located 7 miles south of La Belle, or 11 miles west of Port Arthur,
moving east at 40 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

The tornado will be near...
  Port Arthur and Port Acres around 340 PM CST.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid
windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move
to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying
debris.

&&

LAT...LON 2979 9420 2992 9403 2976 9396 2973 9416
TIME...MOT...LOC 2135Z 251DEG 33KT 2978 9412 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

Kowalski

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Lake Charles, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Dec 28, 11:39 AM CST, 3 hours 19 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 28, 11:39 AM CST, 3 hours 19 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1139 AM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

...New AVIATION...

.UPDATE...
Issued at 1000 AM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

A lull in shower and thunderstorm activity is ongoing this morning
and should persist through at least the noon hour. Thereafter,
convection will begin to blossom in the warm sector followed by a
squall line type feature approaching from the west ahead of a cold
front. This line should make its way into SE TX around 2-3PM,
moving eastward from there through the late afternoon/evening and
eventually exiting lower Acadiana around 9-10PM. I went ahead and
made updates to the hourly POP grids through this evening to
account for current guidance trend, and blended NBM with the HRRR
and HREF which captured these trends well. Still expected all
modes of severe weather with the convection this
afternoon/evening. Remember to have multiple ways to receive
warnings through this period.

17

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Today through Monday night)
Issued at 333 AM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

An active weather day is expected today.

Thick fog is currently blanketing the area with most locations
having a vis of 1/2 mile or less. Dewpoints have risen into the
mid 60s to around 70 as moisture continues to increase. Fog will
continue through sunrise, however mixing will increase fairly
quickly this morning which will allow fog to dissipate earlier
than most local radiational fog events. Lift is already
increasing with spotty showers developing along the I-10 corridor
which may allow for brief and spotty breaks in the dense fog to
develop before sunrise.

An approaching short wave over West TX will quickly push
east/northeast today. Lift will continue to increase this morning as
this disturbance draws closer. Ample moisture and instability, an
increasing LLJ, and steep mid lvl lapse rates will combine over
the local area to produce severe weather late this morning through
this afternoon and early evening. SPC has increased the threat
level to moderate (risk lvl 4 of 5) for a portion of the region
including sections of the East TX Lakes area and Central LA for
the potential of large hail, strong winds, and long lived
tornadoes, however severe weather is possible for the entire area.
As lift and instability increases through the morning and mid day
discrete cells are anticipated to develop before a squall line
eventually sweeps through during the afternoon and early evening.

The vigorous short wave and associated cold front will push east
of the area tonight with a modest cool down and drier weather
expected for Sunday and early next week.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Tuesday through Saturday)
Issued at 333 AM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

Late Monday and early Tuesday a low pressure system will move
across the mid Mississippi Valley with a cold front pushing to the
gulf coast. This front will usher in more seasonable weather for
the second half of the week

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1133 AM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

For the next few hours, scattered shower activity will continue to
stream north across the region amid MVFR CIGs and gusty southerly
winds. Some of these showers may evolve into thunderstorms
through the next couple of hours, and will be capable of producing
strong wind gusts, frequent lightning, and torrential rainfall.

Around 2-3PM a line of strong to severe storms will move into SE
TX, shifting east from there through the afternoon into the early
part of the overnight hours. This line will bring the worst of the
period's weather. Attempted to time this line out within the TAFs,
including with TEMPO groups. Conditions will deteriorate at BPT
around 2-3PM, at LCH between 4 and 5 PM, at AEX between 4 and 6
PM, and at LFT/ARA between 5 and 7 PM.

Thereafter, rainfall/severe risk will come to an end and CIGs
should gradually lift to VFR. However, some patchy fog is expected
to develop overnight at all sites. This fog should burn off around
14Z tomorrow, giving way to VFR conditions.

17

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 333 AM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

Dense fog will linger along the coast through early morning. Winds
will increase after sunrise with a moderate onshore flow expected
through much of the day. Thunderstorms can also be expected today
which may cause locally higher winds and seas.

A cold front will push through tonight with a light to moderate
offshore flow anticipated into Monday. A stronger front is
expected Tuesday.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AEX  52  68  47  71 /  70   0   0   0
LCH  54  69  51  71 /  50   0   0   0
LFT  58  71  51  74 /  70   0   0   0
BPT  54  72  52  75 /  20   0   0   0

&&

.LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...None.
TX...None.
GM...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...05
LONG TERM....05
AVIATION...17

In the hours before

Local storm report, Dec 28, 10:21 AM CST, 4 hours 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1021 AM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0820 AM     Tornado          4 NNE Oretta            30.58N 93.42W
12/28/2024                   Beauregard         LA   Public

            Video of a weak tornado filmed on George
            Kendall Road.

&&
Special weather statement, Dec 28, 12:29 PM CST, 2 hours 29 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1229 PM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

LAZ027-281900-
Vernon LA-
1229 PM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN VERNON PARISH
THROUGH 100 PM CST...

At 1228 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Anacoco, moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
New Llano, Leesville, Anacoco, Kurthwood, Hutton, Slagle, and
Simpson.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 300 PM CST for central and
west central Louisiana.

&&

LAT...LON 3136 9303 3136 9299 3134 9298 3134 9296
      3133 9295 3108 9329 3121 9344 3137 9329
      3137 9303
TIME...MOT...LOC 1828Z 224DEG 39KT 3121 9331

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

JB
Special weather statement, Dec 28, 12:53 PM CST, 2 hours 5 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1253 PM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

TXZ180-201-281930-
Hardin TX-Tyler TX-
1253 PM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN TYLER AND
NORTHWESTERN HARDIN COUNTIES THROUGH 130 PM CST...

At 1253 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Thicket, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor
         objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Votaw, Warren, and Thicket.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 300 PM CST for southeastern
Texas.

&&

LAT...LON 3049 9454 3071 9459 3062 9438 3025 9464
      3025 9465 3049 9473
TIME...MOT...LOC 1853Z 205DEG 31KT 3037 9470

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

JB
Special weather statement, Dec 28, 1:58 PM CST, 1 hour before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
158 PM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

TXZ180-259-282030-
Northern Jasper TX-Tyler TX-
158 PM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EASTERN TYLER AND NORTHEASTERN
JASPER COUNTIES THROUGH 230 PM CST...

At 158 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Spurger, or near Town Bluff, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor
         objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Spurger, Jasper, and Town Bluff.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 300 PM CST for southeastern
Texas.

&&

LAT...LON 3061 9422 3072 9439 3105 9415 3088 9391
TIME...MOT...LOC 1958Z 218DEG 25KT 3073 9426

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

JB
Local storm report, Dec 28, 2:00 PM CST, 58 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
200 PM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0154 PM     Hail             Hillister               30.67N 94.38W
12/28/2024  M0.70 Inch       Tyler              TX   County Official

&&
Local storm report, Dec 28, 2:32 PM CST, 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
232 PM CST Sat Dec 28 2024

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0227 PM     Hail             Town Bluff              30.79N 94.18W
12/28/2024  M0.75 Inch       Tyler              TX   Emergency Mngr

            Tyler County Emergency Management reports
            dime sized hail falling in Town Bluff.

&&

The office that day

Everything else NWS Lake Charles, LA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 28, 8:52 AM CSTRiver Flood WarningLCHNewton, Orange29 days
Dec 28, 12:53 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementLCHHardin37 min
Dec 28, 12:59 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHHardin, Tyler46 min
Dec 28, 1:05 PM CSTTornado WarningLCHHardin, Tyler25 min
Dec 28, 1:28 PM CSTTornado WarningLCHJasper, Tyler32 min
Dec 28, 1:43 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHHardin, Tyler47 min
Dec 28, 1:58 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementLCHJasper32 min
Dec 28, 2:13 PM CSTTornado WarningLCHJasper, Newton47 min
Dec 28, 2:58 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHNewton62 min
Dec 28, 3:01 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHHardin, Jasper, Tyler59 min
Dec 28, 3:41 PM CSTTornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threatLCHJefferson, Orange49 min
Dec 28, 4:14 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLCHHardin, Jasper, Orange38 min
Dec 28, 4:26 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningLCHHardin, Jasper, Tyler3 hr
Dec 28, 4:29 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningLCHNewton3 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Texas, 2024Every tornado warning in 2024Tornadoes 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.