A series of short waves moved across the region during late December causing multiple rounds of severe weather and flooding. One long lived tornado formed southeast of Houston and moved into deep southeast Texas before crossing into Louisiana.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS LCH wrote it up.
A series of short waves moved across the region during late December causing multiple rounds of severe weather and flooding. One long lived tornado formed southeast of Houston and moved into deep southeast Texas before crossing into Louisiana.
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 Lake Charles, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 26, 5:51 PM CST, 2 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lake Charles LA 551 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024 ...New AVIATION... .SHORT TERM... (Tonight through Saturday night) Issued at 300 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024 Afternoon surface analysis shows low pressure near DFW, with a warm from extending SE towards Galveston Bay and a stationary front near the I-35 corridor. Aloft, a rather robust shortwave is noted in water vapor imagery over north TX, near the surface low. Along and east of these features widespread, robust convection is ongoing across east TX and west LA, and a Tornado Watch is currently ongoing for our SE TX counties through 7PM with eastward expansion of the watch possible over the next few hours. Now through sunset, convection will continue to expand in coverage and intensity across our SE TX counties. This area, excluding coastal SE TX, has been upgraded to an Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) for severe weather today/tonight (coastal SE TX is included in the Slight Risk (2 of 5). In addition, SPC has outlined our SE TX counties along and north of I-10 in an 30% hatched risk for tornadoes today, indication a more significant tornado risk is present across these areas and a strong tornado or two is possible. The risk for both tornadoes as well as damaging winds and hail will gradually come to an end for SE TX from west to east around the 7-10PM time frame as this convection continues to shift eastward along and ahead of an eastward moving low pressure system. For our Louisiana parishes, the threat for severe weather will begin to increase from west to east around roughly 5-6PM for areas near the Sabine, expanding east towards Lake Charles/Alexandria around 7-10PM, and then spreading across the I-49 corridor and lower Acadiana from 10PM and beyond. There is good agreement among CAMs guidance that this convection will begin to weaken and decrease in coverage as it moves further east, which is reflected in the SPC outlook. Areas west of Lafayette Parish are outlined in a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5), while Lafayette eastward is included in a Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5). The risks for both tornadoes and damaging winds will however, persist throughout the overnight period while the risk for hail is expected to decrease as this convection spreads into central/south central LA. By Friday morning, the severe weather risk will come to an end as the shortwave ejects to the NE. A second shortwave will then slide across the Ark-La-Tex tomorrow behind the departing shortwave however, this one looks to be much less robust as well as on a slightly more northward track. Therefore, tomorrow will bring a relative lull in convection before rain chances increase again at the start of the weekend. We may still see some isolated shower activity tomorrow, and a warm and muggy day is likely, but severe weather and heavy rain is not expected. Finally, Saturday brings our last round of convection and potential severe weather as the third and last in a line of mid level shortwaves ejects across the Ark-La-Tex. At the same time, another surface low takes shape across north TX with a trailing cold front that will move through the CWA Sat night. At this time, severe potential for Sat looks best to our NE however, the local area along and north of I-10 has been outlined in a Slight Risk, while our coastal counties/parishes are in the Marginal Risk. Still a bit early to nail down the details of this next event, but for now looks like rainfall/severe potential will increase by the afternoon and taper off overnight with the passing of the cold front. 17 && .LONG TERM... (Sunday through next Wednesday) Issued at 300 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024 After several wet days, a dry pattern will commence on Sunday and continue through the end of the long term. High pressure briefly settles overhead on Sunday behind a departing cold front, bringing a short period of offshore flow and drier dewpoints for the second half of the weekend. Although highs will still warm into the lower 70s Sun afternoon, it will feel fairly pleasant as dewpoints drop into the upper 40s/lower 50s through the afternoon. High pressure departs Sun night with winds turning back to the south overnight. Moisture returns quickly through Monday with highs warming into the mid to upper 70s amid increasing dewpoints. New Years Eve brings a bit of a transitionary period away from warm and humid conditions back to a more seasonal pattern as we enter the New Year. A weak cold front will sweep through early Tues bringing an initial shot of shallow cooler/drier air. Highs warm into the mid 60s to low 70s Tues afternoon, while dewpoints slowly fall through the day. Early Wed, a secondary cold front swings through the area, followed by an upper level trough digging south across the lower MS Valley. This will bring a more significant shot of cooler and drier air throughout the column as we beginning 2025. Highs top out in the upper 50s to mid 60s on New Years Day, and in the mid to upper 60s on Thurs, while overnight lows fall into the 30s to low 40s both nights. At this time, neither of these front are expected to be accompanied by much, if any, convection. 17 && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 550 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024 Main issue this forecast period continues to be the likelihood of strong convection traversing ewd across the forecast area through tonight...with very low ceilings likely to develop with/behind the main line. Elevated srly winds will shift more wrly with the passage of the line, while also relaxing somewhat. VFR conditions are expected after daybreak for the wrn terminals, although MVFR ceilings are likely to linger for the Acadiana airports. 25 && .MARINE... Issued at 300 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024 Showers and thunderstorms will spread west to east across the coastal waters from this evening through tomorrow morning as a trof axis shifts east across the Mississippi Valley. Some of these storms will be capable of producing torrential rainfall, frequent lightning, gusty winds. and rough seas. Behind the convection, areas of fog will likely redevelop along the coastal marine zones, and winds will shift more W/SW and relax. Tomorrow into Saturday active weather continues, with several more rounds of rain and a few thunderstorms likely. Dry weather finally returns by Sunday into much of next week. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... AEX 56 73 55 73 / 100 0 30 60 LCH 60 74 61 74 / 90 10 30 60 LFT 64 76 63 76 / 70 40 30 60 BPT 58 74 61 78 / 90 0 30 50 && .LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... LA...None. TX...None. GM...None. && SHORT TERM...17 LONG TERM....17 AVIATION...25
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1257 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
TXZ180-259-261930-
Northern Jasper TX-Tyler TX-
1257 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL TYLER AND NORTHWESTERN
JASPER COUNTIES THROUGH 130 PM CST...
At 1256 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles southeast of Alabama-Coushatta Reservation, or 10 miles west of
Warren, moving northeast at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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...
Woodville, Colmesneil, Ivanhoe, and Rockland.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CST for southeastern
Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3104 9443 3107 9430 3096 9412 3053 9452
3053 9454 3077 9460
TIME...MOT...LOC 1856Z 214DEG 49KT 3063 9458
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
JBPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
144 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0122 PM Hail 3 W Woodville 30.77N 94.47W
12/26/2024 E0.70 Inch Tyler TX Public
Picture of hail about dime to penny size
west of Woodville.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
255 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
TXZ260-262115-
Northern Newton TX-
255 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN NEWTON COUNTY
THROUGH 315 PM CST...
At 254 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Farrsville, or near Burkeville, moving north at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size 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...
Toledo Bend Dam, Burkeville, Jamestown, Mayflower, Farrsville, and
Wiergate.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CST for southeastern
Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3119 9354 3118 9353 3117 9354 3116 9354
3115 9355 3114 9355 3088 9370 3093 9387
3095 9386 3102 9388 3116 9385 3118 9362
3118 9360 3117 9358 3119 9355
TIME...MOT...LOC 2054Z 199DEG 30KT 3099 9378
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
JBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
324 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
LAZ027-TXZ260-262200-
Vernon LA-Northern Newton TX-
324 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN VERNON PARISH IN
WEST CENTRAL LOUISIANA AND NORTHEASTERN NEWTON COUNTIES THROUGH 400
PM CST...
At 324 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Toledo Bend Dam, moving northeast at 20 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...
Toledo Bend Dam, Hornbeck, and Anacoco.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CST for southeastern
Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3129 9331 3104 9357 3114 9374 3117 9372
3118 9360 3117 9358 3119 9355 3122 9355
3123 9354 3124 9356 3125 9354 3128 9353
3128 9344 3134 9340
TIME...MOT...LOC 2124Z 214DEG 19KT 3116 9361
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
JBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
548 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
TXZ201-261-270015-
Hardin TX-Southern Jasper TX-
548 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EASTERN HARDIN AND SOUTHEASTERN
JASPER COUNTIES THROUGH 615 PM CST...
At 547 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Kountze, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Lumberton, Buna, Evadale, Kountze, and Silsbee.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CST for southeastern
Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3053 9411 3052 9399 3036 9389 3033 9390
3019 9433 3035 9442
TIME...MOT...LOC 2347Z 243DEG 29KT 3031 9430
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
jbThe Lake Charles radar (KLCH), 111 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:54 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind, 2 flash flood, 1 tornado, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A stream gage reported minor flooding along Black Creek. This caused minor flooding of roads north of Sour Lake.
A stream gage indicated water over Landis Drive southwest of Beaumont. Other locations also received minor flooding during the event with shallow water over roadways on the southside of Beaumont.
Multiple trees were downed south of Warren.
Trees and powerlines downed during a storm northwest of Kirbyville.
An EF-3 tornado developed south of Houston and moved across Chambers County into Jefferson County just south of Russel Road. 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. The tornado continued northeast where it destroyed the top floor of the Sabine Ranch Lodge, stripped metal from a nearby industrial building, flipped a car into a side yard, and damaged the roofs of two homes. The car contained two people, one sustained a minor injury. The tornado crossed Highways 87 and 82 where it snapped transmission poles. Finally, it moved overtop Sabine Lake. The track continued into western Cameron Parish. Maximum winds were estimated at 161 mph.
Six RVs were flipped along the west bank of Sabine Lake on Pleasure Island. Two people were injured. This was caused by strong winds flowing into the approaching tornadic supercell that would pass to the south of the RV park.
Golf ball size hail was reported at the Pleasure Island RV resort just before winds flipped multiple RVs.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Texas, 2024Warnings in Texas, December 2024
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: 1226815, 1226816, 1226818, 1226819, 1226825, 1226821, 1226827.