Tornadoes and Hail in Texas, March 28 to 29, 2018

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Texas, March 28 to 29, 2018
Start: 2018-03-28T20:45
End: 2018-03-29T00:42
Location: Texas

March 28 to 29, 2018 · NWS CRP · 12 events in 8 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $1.2 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 12

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS CRP wrote it up.

During the early evening hours on March 28th, isolated severe thunderstorms developed across northern Mexico and Deep South Texas. Storms formed within an environment of very unstable air and very strong vertical wind shear in advance of an approaching cold front with assistance from an approaching upper level disturbance. Severe storms occurred across the Brush Country during the evening. The storms congealed into a squall line late in the evening. Large hail and winds of at least 60 mph were observed with several of these storms across the Brush Country. During the early morning hours on March 29th, the squall line intensified as it advanced into the Coastal Bend and the Victoria area. Widespread winds between 40 and 60 mph were observed behind the squall line during this time. Sufficient low level shear in the lowest several thousand feet existed to produce mesovortices along the squall line. Several of these mesovortices produced tornadoes across the Coastal Bend during the early morning hours.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Corpus Christi, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 28, 7:23 PM CST, 1 hour 22 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 28, 7:23 PM CST, 1 hour 22 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
823 PM CDT Wed Mar 28 2018

.DISCUSSION...

Updated the forecast to add the Severe Thunderstorm Watch to the
entire CWA until 08z Thursday. Expect large hail, and damaging
straight-line wind east/south of the boundary, to be the primary
threats. Will coordinate with SPC later regarding a possible
Watch over the MSA. Decreased max POPs tonight over the CWA to 80
percent, which is still categorical. Adjusted the QPF to reflect
the latest output from WPC.

&&

.PREVIOUS DISCUSSION... /Issued 636 PM CDT Wed Mar 28 2018/

DISCUSSION...

Updated for the 00Z Aviation Discussion.

AVIATION...

With the exception of MVFR CIGs already at LRD, VFR is expected
for the next few hours at ALI-CRP-VCT before CIGs begin to lower.
The approach of mid-level trough is expected to aide in firing off
convection, slowly moving from west to east late this evening
through the overnight. Isolated SHRAs have developed across S TX
but as the night progresses, expecting an increase in development
along with thunderstorm activity. Did back timing a couple of
hours mentioning VCTS/TSRA as area still remains slightly capped,
but enough lifting from the approaching trough should help
overcome it. Some of these storms may become strong to even severe
at times, capable of producing hail and gusty winds. Convection
is expected to gradually diminish or completely push offshore
shortly before 12Z. VFR conditions are expected after that.
Surface boundary has already pushed through the western areas near
LRD where winds are more N-ly, but elsewhere, winds are generally
S-SE. Will gradually see winds begin to veer out of the SW then
NW through the night with the boundary moving eastward.

PREVIOUS DISCUSSION... /Issued 344 PM CDT Wed Mar 28 2018/

DISCUSSION (Tonight through Wednesday)...

Should not be much longer before South Texas starts to see
stronger convection fire up either over our area late this
afternoon and/or move into the area later tonight. Am expecting
widespread convection over the eastern areas, with lower POPs over
the NW Brush Country where the boundary has already moved across.
Appears that some frontogenesis has been occurring over the area
this afternoon (indicative of the lower temperatures west), and
that along with the potent upper level jet, will provide
scattered to widespread thunderstorms. SPC has area in slight risk
and will likely have at least a portion of the area in a blue
(severe) box tonight. Also the potential for heavy rainfall and
have included that in the eastern areas (see WPC excessive
rainfall outlook). Expect the convection to move offshore late
tonight with little to no rainfall over inland areas by sunrise
Thursday (maybe a small chance toward the coastal areas where some
rain may linger). Potential for some moderate to strong winds
behind the thunder as the atmosphere adjusts from the convection.

Clearing on Thursday with the trough moving across, and it looks
like there will be one more warm day as westerly downslope winds
add to the temperature rises. High pressure will surge into the
area late Thursday night/Friday morning, providing a much cooler
day on Friday. The high moves east on Friday night and winds
return to the southeast for the weekend, resulting in another
gradual warm up and increase in humidity. Next shot of rainfall
appears to be Tuesday as the sufficient moisture return combines
with a shortwave trough. Will keep it mainly dry on Wednesday of
next week for now. Some models suggesting a front possibly near
the area Tuesday or Wednesday, but that probably will stay north
of the area.

Finally, tide levels are running about 1 foot (mainly less) above
predicted levels. High tide is approaching at Bob Hall Pier and
Port Aransas. Could have some very minor run-up later this
afternoon or this evening but overall tide levels will remain
below any need for Coastal Flood Advisory (will have next shift
monitor). Have maintained the rip current risk as high until 10
PM. By then, the convection will be approaching.

For temperatures, generally went with a short-term consensus-
NAM-12 forecast for tonight, and on the warm side for Thursday.
More toward the cooler guidance Thursday night. After Friday
(mainly consensus forecast) generally went with a blend of
Superblend and NationalBlend for temperatures and moisture grids.

MARINE...

Seas remain elevated over the offshore waters so have extended the
Small Craft Advisory until mid morning Thursday. Close to 7 feet
over the eastern-most near shore waters but overall no need for
the SCA there at this time. Thunderstorm activity will increase
in areal coverage toward midnight, with all the convection moving
out of the area by late Thursday morning (and probably earlier).
Mariners should keep an eye to the sky tonight and be prepared to
seek safe harbor if storms approach and/or a warning is issued.
Near SCA behind surge of high pressure on Friday, then flow
returns onshore by Saturday. No significant weather until early
next week, if then.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Corpus Christi    65  90  60  79  62  /  80  10   0   0   0
Victoria          63  85  56  77  57  /  80  10   0   0   0
Laredo            63  90  57  83  60  /  60   0   0   0   0
Alice             65  90  57  81  59  /  80  10   0   0   0
Rockport          67  85  62  77  64  /  80  10   0   0   0
Cotulla           59  88  54  81  57  /  50   0   0   0   0
Kingsville        67  89  58  81  60  /  80  10   0   0   0
Navy Corpus       67  87  63  77  66  /  80  10   0   0   0

&&

.CRP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...High Rip Current Risk until 10 PM CDT this evening For the
     following zones: Aransas...Calhoun...Kleberg...Nueces.

GM...Small Craft Advisory until 10 AM CDT Thursday For the following
     zones: Waters from Baffin Bay to Port Aransas from 20 to 60
     NM...Waters from Port Aransas to Matagorda Ship Channel
     from 20 to 60 NM.

&&

WC/87...SHORT TERM

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 28, 4:10 AM CST, 16 hours 35 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
510 AM CDT Wed Mar 28 2018

TXZ229>234-239>247-291015-
La Salle-McMullen-Live Oak-Bee-Goliad-Victoria-Webb-Duval-
Jim Wells-Kleberg-Nueces-San Patricio-Aransas-Refugio-Calhoun-
510 AM CDT Wed Mar 28 2018

This hazardous weather outlook is for South Texas.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

A slight risk of severe weather will exist for all of South Texas
for primarily late this afternoon through tonight. Large hail and
damaging winds will be the primary severe storm threats, although
a brief tornado will also be possible this evening. Minor flooding
may also occur overnight.

A high risk of rip currents will exist today along Gulf facing
beaches.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

A moderate risk of rip currents will exist on Thursday along Gulf-
facing beaches.

Chances for showers and thunderstorms return Monday into Tuesday.
Severe thunderstorms are not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to relay reports of severe
weather and flooding. Use hashtags #ccspotter and #txwx.

GMZ230-235-250-255-270-275-291015-
Bays and Waterways from Baffin Bay to Port Aransas-
Bays and Waterways from Port Aransas to Port O'Connor-
Coastal waters from Baffin Bay to Port Aransas out 20 NM-
Coastal waters from Port Aransas to Matagorda Ship Channel out
20 NM-Waters from Baffin Bay to Port Aransas from 20 to 60 NM-
Waters from Port Aransas to Matagorda Ship Channel from 20 to
60 NM-
510 AM CDT Wed Mar 28 2018

This hazardous weather outlook is for the Middle Texas
Coastal Waters.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Severe thunderstorms may occur after midnight tonight across area
waters.

A Small Craft Advisory is in effect until 7am this morning for the
nearshore Gulf waters and until 1am Thursday for the offshore Gulf
waters.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

Lingering thunderstorm chances will exist over the Gulf Waters
Thursday morning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Mariners are encouraged to relay reports of hazardous marine
conditions. Use hashtags #ccspotter and #txwx.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 28, 7:52 PM CST, 53 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
852 PM CDT WED MAR 28 2018

TXZ240>242-290215-
Jim Wells-Kleberg-Duval-
852 PM CDT WED MAR 28 2018

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN DUVAL...
SOUTHWESTERN JIM WELLS AND NORTHWESTERN KLEBERG COUNTIES...

At 851 PM CDT, strong thunderstorms were located over Premont,
moving northeast at 45 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and dime size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Kingsville, Premont, Concepcion, Palito Blanco, La Gloria, Cruz Calle
and Rios.

LAT...LON 2726 9847 2765 9814 2759 9787 2756 9784
      2726 9807
TIME...MOT...LOC 0151Z 219DEG 40KT 2737 9816

CB

Special weather statement, Mar 28, 8:12 PM CST, 33 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
912 PM CDT WED MAR 28 2018

TXZ240>242-290300-
Jim Wells-Kleberg-Duval-
912 PM CDT WED MAR 28 2018

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN DUVAL...
SOUTHWESTERN JIM WELLS AND NORTHWESTERN KLEBERG COUNTIES...

At 911 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Rios, or 10
miles northwest of Premont, moving north at 40 mph.

Winds in excess of 30 mph and dime size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Alice, San Diego, Premont, Benavides, Ramirez, San Jose, Concepcion,
Ben Bolt, Palito Blanco, La Gloria, Cruz Calle, Alice Acres, Rios and
Lake Alice.

LAT...LON 2726 9848 2789 9834 2784 9797 2726 9809
TIME...MOT...LOC 0211Z 189DEG 34KT 2749 9822

CB

Special weather statement, Mar 28, 8:14 PM CST, 31 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
914 PM CDT WED MAR 28 2018

TXZ229-239-290315-
Webb-La Salle-
914 PM CDT WED MAR 28 2018

...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP ACROSS NORTHWESTERN
WEBB AND LA SALLE COUNTIES...

At 912 PM CDT, thunderstorms were developing across northwestern
Webb and much of La Salle counties, moving northeast at 40 mph.
These storms are expected to continue to gradually strengthen over
the next hour and may produce small hail.

Half inch hail will be possible with these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Laredo, Cotulla, Encinal, Las Tiendas, Botines, La Esperanza Ranch
Airport, Ranchos Penitas West, Columbia Bridge, Artesia Wells,
Gardendale, Woodward, Millett, Los Angeles, Callaghan, Chupadera
Ranch Airport and Fowlerton.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They can relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Corpus Christi.

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 300 AM CDT for
South Texas.

LAT...LON 2820 9940 2864 9940 2864 9880 2848 9880
      2761 9954 2760 9958 2764 9960 2763 9964
      2766 9967 2766 9971 2778 9982 2776 9984
      2779 9987 2791 9990 2794 9994 2798 9993
      2800 9999 2815 10009 2819 10020
TIME...MOT...LOC 0212Z 234DEG 36KT 2805 9991

HART

The radar

The Corpus Christi radar (KCRP), 55 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:42 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

7 thunderstorm wind, 3 tornado, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Jim Wells

When: March 28, 8:45 PM CST to 8:47 PM CST
Where: Jim Wells County, 0.92 mi NE of Alice
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 27.760, -98.070

Pictures relayed through social media of quarter sized hail in Alice.

Thunderstorm Wind, La Salle

When: March 28, 9:07 PM CST
Where: La Salle County, (Cot)cotulla Muni Ar
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 28.450, -99.220

Cotulla-La Salle County Airport ASOS measured a gust to 53 knots.

Thunderstorm Wind, La Salle

When: March 28, 9:15 PM CST
Where: La Salle County, (Cot)cotulla Muni Ar
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 28.450, -99.220

Cotulla-La Salle County Airport ASOS measured an additional wind gust to 53 knots.

Hail, McMullen

When: March 28, 10:26 PM CST
Where: McMullen County, 16.98 mi SSW of Wantz
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 28.160, -98.510

Cooperative observer reported nickel to quarter sized hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bee

When: March 28, 11:24 PM CST to 11:29 PM CST
Where: Bee County, 2.53 mi NNW of Beeville to 1.16 mi ESE of Beeville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 28.435, -97.761

Trees and power poles were blown down near Paw Place in Beeville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nueces

When: March 28, 11:49 PM CST to 11:50 PM CST
Where: Nueces County, 1.23 mi N of Robstown Co Arpt to 1.51 mi NNE of Robstown
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 27.798, -97.678

Trees were blown down across portions of Robstown.

Tornado, Refugio

When: March 28, 11:56 PM CST to 11:57 PM CST
Where: Refugio County, 0.69 mi N of Woodsboro to 0.61 mi E of Woodsboro
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.92 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 28.240, -97.330

Tornado touched down near the Woodsboro Farm Co-op damaging the ladder caging on one bin. The tornado moved east-southeast taking down power lines and damaging the roofs of several homes. One roof was completely removed from a mobile home. Minor tree damage was noted along the path length. Damage occurred to another mobile home near the high school before the tornado lifted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nueces

When: March 29, 12:00 AM CST to 12:02 AM CST
Where: Nueces County, 0.76 mi SW of Annaville
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 27.842, -97.588

Pictures submitted through social media showed a large tree was blown down on to a mobile home.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nueces

When: March 29, 12:11 AM CST to 12:13 AM CST
Where: Nueces County, 0.89 mi W of T Head to 1.06 mi WSW of T Head
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 27.802, -97.394

Trees were blown down on to cars on Chaparral Street.

Tornado, Aransas

When: March 29, 12:25 AM CST to 12:26 AM CST
Where: Aransas County, 1.1 mi W of Holiday Beach to 1.06 mi WSW of Holiday Beach
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 28.167, -97.018

Tornado touched down on Belaire Drive removing the roof from one home with debris blown into another home across the street. Several power poles were snapped.

Tornado, Calhoun

When: March 29, 12:39 AM CST to 12:40 AM CST
Where: Calhoun County, 0.19 mi ESE of Seadrift to 0.51 mi E of Seadrift
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.4 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 28.419, -96.717

An EF-1 tornado touched down in north part of the community of Seadrift on Oakland Avenue and traveled to the east-northeast to North 3rd Street. The tornado flipped several mobile homes and completely destroyed one mobile home near the intersection of West Denver Avenue and North 4th Street. A truck and boat were capsized. Several homes experienced roof damage and several outbuildings were damaged or destroyed. Eight homes were destroyed with one home sustaining major damage and two homes receiving minor damage. Estimated peak wind from the tornado was 110 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Calhoun

When: March 29, 12:42 AM CST
Where: Calhoun County, 0.92 mi SE of Seadrift
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 28.410, -96.710

TCOON mesonet station at Seadrift Harbor measured a gust to 60 mph.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Texas in 2018 Every state in 2018 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Texas, 2018 Warnings in Texas, March 2018

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 745590, 745593, 745594, 745591, 745592, 746683, 745595, 746681, 746678, 745596, 745597, 746679.