National Weather Service National Headquarters

• Home
• Site Map
• News
• Organization
• Search for: NWS All NOAA 

000
FXUS64 KHGX 210849
AFDHGX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
349 AM CDT Thu Jun 21 2018

.DISCUSSION...
Radar imagery across Texas early this morning shows a few areas
of rain persisting. The first is associated with a mesoscale
convective vortex southeast of Laredo, with coastal convergence in
response to the MCV producing an expansive band of showers and
thunderstorms from Matagorda Bay towards Brownsville. The second
is a much lighter band of rain associated with a mid-level shear
axis stretching from San Antonio towards north central Louisiana.
A third area of developing showers was also noted across
Matagorda, Wharton, Fort Bend, Galveston, and Brazoria Counties.

The majority of the activity over South Texas is expected to
remain outside of the region today. However, an associated
inverted trough stretching up the coast towards Galveston Bay will
serve as a focus for scattered to numerous thunderstorm
development along and south of Highway 59 as convective
temperatures in the mid to upper 80s are reached later this
morning. A secondary round of rain will remain possible along the
mid-level shear axis as well north of Interstate 10 before it
pushes south later this afternoon. Yesterday evening`s soundings
from Corpus Christi and Lake Charles showed precipitable water
values ranging between 2.1 and 2.3 inches. These high precipitable
water values are expected to linger through this afternoon, and
at least a brief or locally heavy rain threat will exist through
this afternoon across the region. Rain chances will decrease from
north to south by late this afternoon or evening as the mid- level
shear axis clears the region, allowing for the atmospheric column
to dry out. Otherwise, expect highs in the mid 80s to lower 90s
today.

Heat will become the main headline of the forecast after today as
upper ridging over the Desert Southwest spreads east into Texas.
Warm mornings in the mid 70s to lower 80s will heat further into
the upper 80s along the coast and the low to mid 90s inland. Heat
index values are forecast to peak in the 102-108 degree range on
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Heat stress may be a concern for
residents participating in any outdoor activities this weekend or
without the ability to properly cool themselves and Heat
Advisories may be needed. Otherwise, expect the region to resume a
more typical summertime pattern with a few streamer type showers
possible along the Upper Texas coast tomorrow morning and for each
morning into the middle of next week. Inland rain chances will be
limited to whatever lone rain shower is able to develop along the
sea breeze (or possibly farther inland from heating) during the
day as subsidence from the 592-594 decameter ridge over the region
is expected to limit most development.

Huffman

&&

.MARINE...
A weak area of low pressure over Deep South Texas and a weak trough
extending from the low to the northeast will maintain onshore winds
today. The gradient relaxes significantly and wind speeds will drop
off. A light onshore flow will persist on Friday as high pressure
develops over the eastern Gulf. The gradient will tighten Fri night
through Sunday as low pressure develops over the Texas panhandle.
A light onshore flow will prevail for the first half of next week
with high pressure remaining over the eastern Gulf and lower
pressures over the southern plains. Seas are still slightly elevated
but are expected to decrease this morning but will extend the SCEC
through 15z for the offshore waters. Tide levels have dropped and
coastal flooding is no longer expected along the Bolivar so will not
reissue the CFW. Surf conditions are returning to normal but not
sure if the rip current threat has completely ended. Will await the
morning beach report from the GLS beach patrol before reissuing a
Rip Current Statement (if needed).

43

&&

.CLIMATE...
Houston received 1.43 inches of rain yesterday and this is the
4th consecutive day with an inch of rain or greater. The last time
this occurred was during Harvey (Aug 26 - Aug 29). The 4
consecutive days with an inch of rain or greater is the longest
streak in city history and has occurred six times...2018,
8/26-8/29 2017, 8/14-8/17 2016, 10/15-10/18 1994, 7/3-7-6 1942 and
6/27-6/30 1899.

43

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
College Station (CLL)      91  76  95  77  95 /  30  20  10  10  10
Houston (IAH)              90  77  94  79  93 /  60  20  20  10  10
Galveston (GLS)            86  81  87  82  88 /  50  20  20  10  10

&&

.HGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...NONE.
GM...SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION until 10 AM CDT this morning
     for the following zones: Waters from Freeport to Matagorda
     Ship Channel TX from 20 to 60 NM...Waters from High Island
     to Freeport TX from 20 to 60 NM.

&&

$$

Discussion...14
Aviation/Marine/Climate...43