South Texas Weather Journal National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office Edition: March, 2001 Corpus Christi, TX www.srh.noaa.gov/crp Kenneth Graham, Meteorologist-in-Charge 361.299.1353

State of Texas Office of the Governor

evere weather can strike anywhere in S the Lonestar State with little warning. The coming Spring season brings the potential for violent weather, including severe thunderstorms, lightning, and flooding. The severe thunderstorms and tornado that struck the Dallas-Fort Worth area last March show how devastating Texas weather can become. That event serves as a reminder that no part of the state is immune to severe weather threats. And, Texans need to be prepared. The Division of Emergency Management The SKYWARN Program and the National Weather Service have by Steve Smart, HMT designated March 4-10 as Severe Weather Awareness Week. The observance aims at id you know in the average year 10,000 Dsevere thunderstorms occur across the United preparing communities for violent weather by States? 5,000 floods and over 900 tornadoes occur reminding children and adults of what to do each year as well. The National Weather Service when severe weather threatens. is charged by congress with the responsibility for Texans should put together a “Readiness Kit” issuing appropriate warnings, watches and advisories of important supplies; keep a battery-operated to protect lives and property in America. This radio or television available for information; is accomplished by using Doppler radar, satellite, lightning detection networks, surface observations, develop an emergency communication plan and state-of-the-art, high speed computers. with out-of-area relatives or friends; and However, only trained volunteer SKYWARN designate a place to go if you have to take spotters can provide real-time identification and shelter or evacuate. reports of tornadic activity, hail, wind speeds, I urge all Texans to stay informed and prepare flooding, and damage assessment. SKYWARN for severe weather. By doing so, you may save spotters receive training by National Weather Service meteorologists in order to make and report official your own life or the life of a loved one. severe weather observations. When atmospheric Therefore, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, conditions are conducive to producing severe weather, do hereby proclaim March 4-10, 2001 SKYWARN spotters are called into service. Severe Weather Awareness Week. (See SKYWARN on next page)

(SKYWARN continued) r Specific and detailed weather reports are e th immediately relayed via phone to the National Weather a e e Service. Information received from SKYWARN r w e v spotters about storm location, movement, associated e phenomena or damage can provide additional minutes s of advance warning time to the public and emergency management officials. A SKYWARN amateur radio network also provides a way for meteorologists to receive and relay critical information on fast-breaking, Severe Weather in South Texas severe weather events. by Brian Brong, Meteorologist Sound like something you’d like to do? You’d be performing a great service for the community, plus evere Weather takes many forms, tornadoes, hail you would become a member of a very elite group of Sthree-quarter inch in diameter or larger and local heroes. Give us a call and we’ll tell you how and thunderstorm winds 58 m.p.h. and higher. All of these when you can become an official SKYWARN spotter events pose a threat to South Texans throughout the for the National Weather Service. Call 361.299.1353, year. However there are certain months when severe or 361.289.0959. weather occurs more frequently.

Tornadoes are most common in May, August and Spring Flood Potential September. Tornadoes in May are spawned from by Mark Lenz, Meteorologist thunderstorms, while tornadoes that occur in August and September are generally produced by land-falling ith Spring right around the corner, many Texans hurricanes and tropical storms. On an average Ware wondering if their local river or stream will year five tornadoes affect South Texas. Severe flood. This question is a difficult one to answer, since thunderstorms are most common during May. there are several factors to examine that would create On average, South Texas experiences 20 Severe a flood situation. Currently, stream flows across the Thunderstorms a year. Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Plains are slightly to well below normal. Over the Victoria area stream While severe weather is most common during May, it flows are near to slightly above normal. With can occur during the other eleven months. The point dry conditions continuing over most of South Texas is to be prepared for severe weather through the entire rainfall is still needed. year. It is our mission to inform you of threatening weather 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a This Winter saw above normal rainfall amounts and year. this helped to replenish subsoil moisture necessary for pasture grasses and newly planted crops. The outlook for Spring is for near normal precipitation amounts. By this time you are probably wondering, what is rfing u th the effect going to be in my area? The first Spring s e Flood Potential Outlook has been issued and calls for w.srh n e t ? w . p a moderate flood potential through the Spring over the w n r Victoria area and a low flood potential for the Coastal o c a a v/ Bend and Rio Grande regions. Remember, if you live . g o near a creek or stream and heavy rainfall develops, listen for the latest forecast and warnings from your Corpus Christi National Weather Service Office. Severe Weather Awareness Week by Brian Brong, Meteorologist

evere Thunderstorms, Tornadoes and Flash SFlooding are a part of life in Texas. Awareness and preparedness is a key element to ensure that injury and property damage is minimized during there events. Most importantly it is each persons responsibility to be aware of and prepared to face the dangers associated with severe weather. The focus of Severe Weather Awareness Week is to remind Texans of these dangers as well as provide tips to reduce injuries, loss of life Q: What is a severe thunderstorm? and minimize property damage due to severe weather. Answer: A severe thunderstorm is a cumulonimbus Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 4th to the cloud(s) that produces one or more of the following: 10th. Each day during this week, two National Weather • tornado Service Offices, that serve Texas Counties, will issue • waterspout (a tornado over water!) a Public Information Statement. These statements will • 3/4 inch diameter (dime size) or larger hail provide valuable information to protect life and reduce • wind gusts in excess of 50 knots (57.5 m.p.h.) property damage. We will broadcast these statements on NOAA Weather Radio and post them on our web site, www.srh.noaa.gov/crp.

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Weather To GOTM Weather To GOTM Weather To GOTM NOAA Weather Radio On the Internet On your Phone 162.550 MHz Corpus www.srh.noaa.gov/crp (361) 289-1861. 162.400 MHz Victoria w g 162.475 MHz Port Oconnor atchdo Watchdog says, don't bark up the 162.475 MHz Laredo wrong tree when weather strikes! Vizzy Amaz he ing t Ra e diosond