696
FXUS64 KHGX 092354
AFDHGX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
654 PM CDT Thu May 9 2024

...New AVIATION...

.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Friday Night)
Issued at 354 PM CDT Thu May 9 2024

Showers and thunderstorms are developing over the central and north
central portions of Texas ahead and along a cold front this
afternoon. These storms are expected to continue east southeastward
and make it into the Brazos Valley and Piney Woods region later this
evening into early tonight. Although the cap still remains fairly
strong for much of Southeast Texas, it is expected to weaken later
today. Forecast soundings still show CAPE values of over 4000 J/kg,
in particular for areas north of I-10. In addition, they indicate
SFC-6km shear values of 45-55 kts, steep mid level, and DCAPE values
of over 1000 J/kg. PWs will increase to around 1.8 inches this
evening and dewpoints will be in the mid to upper 70s. Overall, any
storms that do make it into the aforementioned area has the
potential to remain strong to severe and could result in large hail
and damaging winds. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out either.

One thing to note is the small potential for a few vort maxes to
move across Southeast Texas early this evening, which could lead to
locally driven, isolated storms...if they manage to overcome the
cap.

SPC now has placed an Enhanced Risk (threat level 3 of 5) north of a
line from Washington County into northern Liberty County. A Slight
Risk (threat level 2 of 5) exists southward of there to roughly
along the I-10 corridor and a Marginal Risk (threat level 1 of 5)
exists for the rest of the area except around Matagorda Bay.

Be prepared and have multiple ways of receiving warnings!

Storms are expected to have either dissipated or moved eastward and
away from our region before midnight, ahead of the next cold frontal
passage. The front is progged to reach the coastal areas during the
late night hours. On Friday, tranquil but breezy conditions are
expected as gusty north to northeast winds develops in the wake of
the front. Slightly "cooler and drier" air will filter in across the
area and result in partly cloudy skies and highs in the low to mid
80s over the Brazos Valley and Piney Woods region and in the mid to
upper 80s elsewhere. The lows Friday night into early Saturday
morning will be in the low to mid 60s over the Brazos Valley and
Piney Woods region and in the upper 60s to low 70s elsewhere.

24

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Saturday through next Wednesday)
Issued at 354 PM CDT Thu May 9 2024

Though low levels will be drier on Saturday than they have been
the past several days, we still anticipate some mid level
moisture & cloud cover streaming overhead. Some of the
deterministic models show some decent shortwave energy and lift
passing across the southern parts of the area, so went ahead and
included some low POPs in case we see some associated sprinkles or
light rain.

Heading into Saturday night and Sunday, the remnant boundary in
the Gulf will move back inland as a warm front. With it comes some
deep Gulf moisture as PW`s climb to around 2.2" across a good part
of the region. A zone of low level speed convergence sets up and
combined with additional passing upper impulses we anticipate
increasing shower and thunderstorm coverage on Mother`s Day.
Somewhat similar setup for Monday as mid-upper trof makes its way
across the Southern Plains with a series of embedded vorts
continuing to flow on its southern periphery. Wouldn`t be
surprised to see another 1-4" of rain across the area (highest
I-10 northward) before all is said and done. And with the deep
moisture and potential mesoscale boundaries/convergent zones you`d
keep an eye out for potential localized higher totals. Grounds are
already saturated from last weeks rain, and additional heavy rain
falling in a shorter time period will be prone to quickly runoff.
So, it`s a forecast worth watching this weekend.

With the passage of the mid-upper trof to the east, we`ll see
some drier condition on Tue with some subtle ridging. That,
however, won`t last too long. Ridging will slide to the east and
we again transition to a messier wsw flow aloft as the next
western trof takes shape, a continued onshore llvl flow off the
Gulf, and eventually a slow moving front sagging closer to the
area later next week. 47

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAF Issuance)
Issued at 651 PM CDT Thu May 9 2024

Haze continues to appear on recent surface observations as a
result of smoke transport due to agricultural burning over
portions of Central America. This should continue to prevail until
the passage of a frontal boundary overnight. Scattered
thunderstorms are expected to impact sites north of IAH through
approximately 06Z, with some storms becoming strong to severe. A
few strong wind gusts will be possible. While storm development
near IAH can`t be ruled out between around 04-06Z, storms will
generally struggle to maintain strength along and south of the
I-10 corridor. North winds develop behind the passing boundary
overnight, reaching 10-15 knots tomorrow afternoon. Some gusts to
20 knots are expected at times tomorrow.

Cady

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 354 PM CDT Thu May 9 2024

A cold front will make its way into the upper Texas coastal waters
late tonight and early Friday morning. There may be some isolated
showers and thunderstorms ahead of it, but the vast majority of
storms will dissipate further inland before reaching the waters.
Areas of haze/fog should improve after the wind shift. North and
northeast winds in the wake of the front will swing back to the
southeast by early Sunday as the front moves back inland as a warm
front. Periods of showers and thunderstorms can be expected
Sunday and Monday. 47

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
College Station (CLL)  70  83  65  82 /  40   0  10  10
Houston (IAH)  72  88  68  84 /  30  10  10  20
Galveston (GLS)  75  84  73  80 /  10   0   0  20

&&

.HGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...None.
GM...Small Craft Should Exercise Caution until 4 AM CDT Friday for
     GMZ370-375.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...24
LONG TERM....47
AVIATION...Cady
MARINE...47