Several rounds of severe thunderstorms produced numerous reports of large hail and wind damage.
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 HGX wrote it up.
Several rounds of severe thunderstorms produced numerous reports of large hail and wind damage.
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 Houston/Galveston, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 15, 11:47 AM CST, 2 hours 28 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX 1247 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024 ...New AVIATION... .SHORT TERM... (Today through Saturday Night) Issued at 307 AM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024 A potentially active short-term is expected with the approach/pass- age/stalling of a cold front as well as weak shortwave activity at the upper levels. Warm/muggy weather this morning will transition to more warm/muggy weather this afternoon but with increasing rain chances across our northern FA (stretching from the Brazos Valley to the Piney Woods) as the next cold front begins moving into the region. Abundant low level moisture along with daytime heating(increasing instability)/ favorable shear should lead to the development of thunderstorms a- long/near the front. Some storms could be strong or severe as they track into the area from west later this afternoon. But that being said, SPC has shrunk the Slight Risk area (level 2 of 5) a bit for our W/NW counties in their Day 1 outlook. However, a Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) will remain in place through today/tonight for much of SE TX. The primary threat with these storms will be large hail. In addition to the severe weather threat, there is also the threat for excessive rainfall with this activity later this afternoon and continuing tonight (and through Sat/Sun). And much like the severe potential, WPC has trimmed the Slight Risk area (level 2 of 4) for today/tonight, to only western portions of the CWA. Elsewhere, the Marginal Risk (level 1 of 4) will continue. With the stalled cold front across SE TX (likely just inland/along the coast), Sat could be a rather wet day. The potential for heavy rain and flooding will depend a lot on what happens today/tonight (to some extent) but conditions do remain favorable for the devel- opment of additional activity tomorrow and tomorrow night. There's still uncertainty with regards to timing/location for the heaviest rains per the track of the embedded disturbances in the flow aloft (from around the base of the closed upper low lingering just south of the Four Corners). WPC has almost all of SE TX in a Slight Risk for excessive rain for Sat/Sat night. 41 && .LONG TERM... (Sunday through Thursday) Issued at 307 AM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024 The wet pattern that will dominate the upcoming weekend is expected to continue into Sunday as the slowly advancing frontal boundary continues to push offshore while a developing weak surface trough along the coast continues to advance towards the Central Gulf. The midlevel pattern will continue to be characterized by the passage of several weak shortwaves that should continue to produce fairly widespread showers and storms. The slow advance of the boundary should shift the main axis of rainfall towards the coast, where an additional 1-2 inches of rainfall are possible on Sunday before a shift to northeast winds behind the departing front will bring a surge of drier air to the area. While heavy rainfall will ultimately be limited by a lack of available SB instability, low-level moisture still remains abundant and some pockets of locally heavy rain will remain possible closer to the coast. WPC continues to maintain a Marginal risk of excessive rainfall for areas along and south of the I-10 corridor for the time being. Severe storm development, while again not impossible, will also be limited by weaker speed shear and less SB instability compared to previous days. As the front advances offshore on Monday, a shift to moderate northeast winds will put a temporary end to the wet pattern as an influx of drier air brings a return to more seasonable conditions. Daytime highs on Monday will struggle to eclipse 70, while clear skies and steady CAA will drive lows into the 40s to low 50s. Winds taper off on Tuesday as surface high pressure moves overhead as highs remain in the 60s, with moisture return underway by Tuesday night as this surface high shifts into the Central Gulf. Models currently remain in disagreement for the mid-late week period. GFS shows a more progressive development of the next upper low/trough, which in its most recent solution will induce a coastal low by late Wednesday which could bring our next period of widespread (and possibly heavy) rain. EC solution, on the other hand, shows a slower and less potent upper low with most of the associated rainfall occuring on Thursday. Nonetheless, the pattern as we head into the middle/end of the upcoming week should be fairly unsettled with increasing rainfall chances. Cady && .AVIATION... (18Z TAF Issuance) Issued at 1243 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024 GLS at IFR with limited VSBYs and low CIGs. LBX/IAH both at MVFR with CIGs. All other sites at VFR this afternoon. Expect SHRA/TSRA to begin around 19/20Z and continue through around 02Z. Some thunderstorms could produce large hail with the potential for significant hail (2"+). Damaging winds will also be possible in and in the vicinity of thunderstorms. Activity will taper off closer to midnight from west to east. Chance of rain will return Saturday morning into the afternoon hours. && .MARINE... Issued at 307 AM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024 Light to moderate onshore winds continue well into the weekend ahead of the passage of a cold front on Sunday. Wind speeds will occasionally approach caution thresholds at times, and periods of fog development are also possible prior to the frontal passage. Scattered showers and storms will develop on Friday, and become more widespread on Saturday and Sunday as the front slowly advances towards the coast. By late Sunday, the front will advance offshore with moderate to strong northeast winds developing behind its passage. This will likely require a Small Craft Advisory before conditions begin to improve by late Monday/early Tuesday. Cady && .CLIMATE... Issued at 636 PM CDT Thu Mar 14 2024 Here are the daily rainfall records (inches/year)for Friday (3/15), Saturday (3/16) and Sunday (3/17). College Station Houston Houston Hobby Galveston Palacios Fri: 2.81/1969 2.06/1974 1.66/1944 1.88/1896 5.15/1993 Sat: 1.84/1979 2.83/1896 2.28/1998 2.71/1944 2.65/1944 Sun: 1.48/1988 2.57/1957 5.00/1957 2.96/1957 1.83/1997 42 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... College Station (CLL) 80 64 72 61 / 50 30 80 60 Houston (IAH) 83 67 75 64 / 50 40 50 60 Galveston (GLS) 74 65 71 64 / 30 20 40 60 && .HGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... TX...High Rip Current Risk until 9 PM CDT this evening for TXZ436>439. GM...None. && SHORT TERM...41 LONG TERM....Cady AVIATION...Adams MARINE...Cady
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
209 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
TXZ195-197-211-152000-
Washington TX-Burleson TX-Austin TX-
209 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN AUSTIN...
SOUTHEASTERN BURLESON AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES THROUGH 300 PM CDT...
At 209 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Round Top, or 11 miles northeast of La Grange, moving northeast at 35
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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Brenham, Shelby, Somerville, Burton, Lake Somerville Dam, Lake
Somerville State Park & Trailway, Carmine, Independence, and Quarry.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
southeastern Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3020 9674 3024 9674 3025 9672 3025 9669
3030 9664 3030 9666 3049 9643 3019 9617
2999 9659 3008 9663 3011 9663 3013 9665
3015 9665 3016 9669 3015 9671 3014 9677
3016 9679
TIME...MOT...LOC 1909Z 236DEG 29KT 3005 9678
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
03Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
233 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
TXZ197-210>212-152000-
Washington TX-Waller TX-Colorado TX-Austin TX-
233 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL COLORADO...
NORTHERN AUSTIN...SOUTHEASTERN WASHINGTON AND WEST CENTRAL WALLER
COUNTIES THROUGH 300 PM CDT...
At 233 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Industry, or 15 miles north of Columbus, moving northeast at 30 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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Brenham, Bellville, Industry, New Ulm, and Frelsburg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
southeastern Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 2996 9657 2999 9659 3027 9626 3003 9607
2979 9654 2990 9662
TIME...MOT...LOC 1933Z 230DEG 25KT 2992 9653
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
03Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
252 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
TXZ226-227-152015-
Wharton TX-Fort Bend TX-
252 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN WHARTON AND
SOUTHWESTERN FORT BEND COUNTIES THROUGH 315 PM CDT...
At 251 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Wharton, moving northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Wharton, East Bernard, Kendleton, and Hungerford.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
southeastern Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 2928 9619 2938 9625 2954 9607 2945 9589
2930 9588
TIME...MOT...LOC 1951Z 246DEG 17KT 2936 9603
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
AdamsSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
259 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
TXZ197-211-212-152030-
Washington TX-Waller TX-Austin TX-
259 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN AUSTIN...
SOUTHEASTERN WASHINGTON AND NORTHWESTERN WALLER COUNTIES THROUGH 330
PM CDT...
At 259 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Shelby, or 12 miles west of Brenham, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Brenham, Shelby, and Burton.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
southeastern Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3034 9625 3014 9610 3001 9639 3002 9661
3005 9662 3007 9662 3008 9663 3011 9663
3013 9665 3015 9665
TIME...MOT...LOC 1959Z 250DEG 31KT 3010 9659
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
03Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
308 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
TXZ226-227-152045-
Wharton TX-Fort Bend TX-
308 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN WHARTON AND
SOUTHWESTERN FORT BEND COUNTIES THROUGH 345 PM CDT...
At 308 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Beasley, or 7 miles southwest of Rosenberg, moving northeast at 30
mph.
HAZARD...Pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Southwestern Sugar Land, Rosenberg, Richmond, Needville, East
Bernard, Pleak, Fairchilds, Beasley, Kendleton, Greatwood, Cumings,
New Territory, and Hungerford.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
southeastern Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 2934 9609 2950 9617 2959 9586 2958 9566
2942 9574
TIME...MOT...LOC 2008Z 242DEG 26KT 2947 9590
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
AdamsThe Houston radar (KHGX), 128 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:14 UTC.
20 hail, 14 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was downed and there was a barn that was heavily damaged near the intersection of Mill Creek Road and Kuykendall Road.
A member of the public observed golf ball-sized hail in Bellville.
A member of the public reported tennis ball-sized hail in Bellville.
An mPING user reported golf ball-sized hail in Bellville.
A member of the public reported golf ball-sized hail in Pleak.
Local media measured quarter-sized hail in the Richmond area.
A large tree, measuring at least 2 feet in diameter, was downed by strong thunderstorm wind gusts in the Greatwood area.
Quarter sized hail was reported.
Quarter sized hail was reported.
Ping pong ball sized hail was reported via mPing.
Quarter sized hail was reported.
Quarter sized hail was reported via mPing.
Quarter sized hail was reported.
The wind gust occurred at the WeatherFlow station TXSUGAR66.
Golf ball sized hail was observed.
The wind gust was measured at a WeatherFlow station.
Numerous power lines were downed between Beasley and Needville.
A roof was blown off a house.
Numerous trees and power lines were downed along with damage to a metal shed in the Damon area.
Wind gust occurred at a mesonet station.
Power lines and trees were downed at the Brazoria County Fairgrounds.
A large tree that was uprooted knocked down a wood fence.
Wind gust was measured using a hand held anemometer.
The weather station at the Angleton Police Department had sustained winds of 53 mph with gusts to 75 mph.
Wind gust occurred at the Brazoria County Airport ASOS site KLBX.
Quarter sized hail was reported.
Golf ball sized hail was reported.
Wind gust occurred at the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge station BZRT2.
Golf ball sized hail was reported.
There was widespread tennis ball sized hail neat the intersection of Highway 36 and School Street.
Tennis ball sized hail caused some damage to homes across Needville.
Widespread ping pong sized hail was reported just north of Damon.
Baseball sized hail was reported via mPing.
A social media user documented widespread hail in Gilchrist. The maximum hail diameter observed was 1.25 inches.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, March 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: 1158863, 1156950, 1156952, 1156953, 1156955, 1156956, 1156958, 1158830, 1158831, 1158832, 1158833, 1158834, 1158835, 1158864, 1158839, 1158867, 1158868, 1158871, 1158873, 1158879, 1158895, 1158896, 1158900, 1158904, 1158905, 1158836, 1158838, 1158916, 1158842, 1158843, 1158845, 1158846, 1158847, 1156948.