I think the sky looked to be mostly clear with some white, altostratus clouds, at my older sister's house in the Heights area, during the early morning. White altostratus clouds looked to cover most of the sky, during the mid and late morning, at my house in northwest Houston, TX, and at my older sister's house in the Heights area. Low, white to grey stratus clouds started to cover the whole sky, at my house in northwest Houston, TX, Katy, TX, and the Bellaire area, during the early afternoon. Low white to grey stratus clouds continued to cover the whole sky in the Bellaire area and Katy, TX, during the mid-afternoon. Low white to grey stratus clouds covered the whole sky in Katy, TX and at my house in Houston, TX, during the late afternoon and early evening. Low white to grey stratus clouds covered the whole sky, at my house in northwest Houston, TX, during the late evening and night. A light drizzle was falling off and on, on my way from my older sister's house in the Heights area to my house in northwest Houston, TX, during the late morning. Light to moderate rain with some moderately heavy rain started to fall at my house in northwest Houston, TX, during the early afternoon and continued to fall on my way to pick up cats in Katy to take to a foster in the Bellaire area and then back to Katy, TX, and then back to my house, through the rest of the afternoon and evening. The rain looked to have stopped at my house in northwest Houston, TX, sometime during the early or late evening. The wind speeds were mostly calm with some possible 15 to 20 mph wind gusts and maybe some stronger. Especially during the night, at my house in northwest Houston, TX. It felt a little cool throughout the day.
Thoughts:
Well, it looks like Houston, TX is going to be spared a mostly major event with just some minor tropical force winds and some possible although unlikely prolonged flooding. Only some likely flash flooding and hopefully no power outages or much structural damage to any trees, powerlines, or buildings. It has been a crazy hurricane season! I am excited for this to be over soon. The only area that seems to be affected the most is south Houston coastal areas and Galveston/beaches along the coast of southeast Texas. And I think tomorrow is the first day of fall? Or is it the day after? I don't remember. But I am going to miss summer. I really enjoy warm/hot weather over cool and cold.
Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Houston/Galveston, TX
000
FXUS64 KHGX 210022
AFDHGX
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
722 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2020
.AVIATION [00Z TAF Issuance]...
Tropical Storm Beta continues to bring MVFR to IFR conditions to the
area. A small lull in the winds is coming to an end as another band
along the coast begins to move inland. Going off what the conditions
went to today with an outer band, conditions will be IFR with areas
of heavier rainfall at times with lowered visibility and ceilings.
With landfall in the southwestern CWA tomorrow afternoon, conditions
are not looking to improve much through the forecast period. Expect
tropical storm force winds along the coastal TAF sites and higher
winds still elsewhere. Ceilings and visibility are expected to
remain at or around the MVFR and IFR category as the system makes
landfall and moves across the southern CWA over the next couple of
days. 35
&&
.SHORT TERM [Through Monday Night]...
Bands of Tropical Storm Beta has started to move through the area.
While most rain has been light to moderate, there has been a few
areas that has had some heavier rainfall. mainly in the southern
counties. Winds have also increased across the area today with gusts
peaking at 38mph so far in galveston. Through the rest of the day,
we can expect conditions to be about the same across the CWA.
Northeasterly winds with higher gusts neat the coastal counties
through the night will be expected. Bands of rain showers will
continue to move into the area from the southeast and produce
showers across the CWA. At times, some of the showers could be heavy
at times and cause localized flooding. Due to the slow movement of
TS Beta, flash, urban, and river flooding is likely.
Tomorrow we can expect an increase in the amount of coverage and
amounts of rainfall across the CWA as TS Beta get closer to
landfall. Current track is still showing TS Beta making landfall
Monday night as a tropical storm. The system will become more
disorganized as it moves inland and start to turn northeastward.
Over night tomorrow, the bands of rain showers and widespread rain
will be at the peak of rainfall totals and coverage. Wind speeds
will be peaking along the coast as well at tropical storm strength
as the system makes landfall, then begins to weaken as the center
moves inland through the night. Mainly the southern counties will be
effected by the tropical storm strength winds and even more so in
the southwestern counties. Tomorrows high will reach mid 70s in the
norther counties after a mid 60s low tonight. Along the coast, highs
will reach mid 80s after mid 70s low. Tomorrow night, will be in the
upper 60s in the northern counties and upper 70s along the coast.
35
.LONG TERM [Tuesday through Saturday]...
Tues/Weds forecasts will be largely dependent on Beta and where it
eventually tracks and weakens. Per current/official thinking, this
system will be lingering in/near the region and this will keep the
potential for heavy rain in place through Tues...perhaps beginning
to decrease Weds. Confidence is low as to which locations will see
the heaviest rains except that it should be over the southern half
of our CWA. QPF forecasts are still indicating rainfall totals for
the event to average from 8 to 12 inches...with isolated totals up
to 20 inches possible.
Even as Beta continues to weakens through the middle to end of the
week, will be keeping scattered rain chances in the grids for this
time period. Models are indicating the development of a weak elong-
ated shear axis stretching along the TX coast and ENE into the mid
MS River Valley in its wake. This instability along with lingering
low-level moisture should be enough to support this activity. Then
looking further ahead...perhaps another cold front late during the
latter part of the upcoming weekend. 41
.MARINE...
Tropical storm conditions will prevail tonight and Monday across
the Middle/Upper Texas coasts as Tropical Storm Beta continues a
slow WNW track towards the area. A brief flare up of convection/
intensity earlier this afternoon did give some cause for concern
but things seemed to have eased off...and TPC is still expecting
Beta to move inland tomorrow as a tropical storm. The prevailing
N/NE winds that have been in place before/during this event will
be shifting to the W then SW across our Gulf waters as Beta slow-
ly moves further inland Tues/Wed. Seas are forecast to be in SCA
range (5-8ft) through at least Weds. A return of mostly light to
moderate offshore winds could be back in place across our marine
waters by late Tues for the offshore waters...dropping off as we
head north towards the bays as Beta further weakens by Weds. 41
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
College Station (CLL) 66 74 68 77 69 / 80 80 70 80 50
Houston (IAH) 69 78 72 84 73 / 70 90 70 70 50
Galveston (GLS) 74 85 78 85 76 / 90 90 80 70 60
&&
.HGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...Tropical Storm Warning for the following zones: Brazoria
Islands...Chambers...Coastal Brazoria...Coastal
Galveston...Coastal Harris...Coastal Jackson...Coastal
Matagorda...Fort Bend...Galveston Island and Bolivar
Peninsula...Inland Brazoria...Inland Galveston...Inland
Harris...Inland Jackson...Inland Matagorda...Matagorda
Islands...Southern Liberty...Wharton.
Flash Flood Watch through Tuesday evening for the following
zones: Austin...Brazoria Islands...Chambers...Coastal
Brazoria...Coastal Galveston...Coastal Harris...Coastal
Jackson...Coastal Matagorda...Colorado...Fort
Bend...Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula...Inland
Brazoria...Inland Galveston...Inland Harris...Inland
Jackson...Inland Matagorda...Matagorda
Islands...Montgomery...Northern Liberty...Southern
Liberty...Waller...Wharton.
GM...Tropical Storm Warning for the following zones: Coastal waters
from Freeport to Matagorda Ship Channel TX out 20
NM...Coastal waters from High Island to Freeport TX out 20
NM...Galveston Bay...Matagorda Bay...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.
&&
$$
SHORT TERM...35
LONG TERM...41
MARINE...41
AVIATION...35
Hurricane Local Statement
Tropical Storm Beta Local Statement Advisory Number 13
TXZ163-164-176>179-195>200-210>214-226-227-
235>238-300-313-335>338-436>438-210530-
Tropical Storm Beta Local Statement Advisory Number 13
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX AL222020
423 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2020
This product covers Southeast Texas
**BETA MOVING A LITTLE FASTER TOWARD THE CENTRAL TEXAS COAST**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Fort Bend, Inland
Brazoria, Inland Galveston, Inland Harris, Inland Jackson,
Inland Matagorda, Southern Liberty, and Wharton
- A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
for Brazoria Islands, Chambers, Coastal Brazoria, Coastal
Galveston, Coastal Harris, Coastal Jackson, Coastal Matagorda,
Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula, and Matagorda Islands
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 120 miles south-southeast of Galveston TX or about 150
miles east-southeast of Port O`Connor TX
- 27.7N 94.0W
- Storm Intensity 60 mph
- Movement West-northwest or 295 degrees at 6 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Although attempting to better organize itself earlier this afternoon,
Tropical Storm Beta continues to battle dry air and wind shear as it
moves west-northwestward towards the middle texas coastline. The current
forecast intensity remains unchanged. Beta remains on track to make
landfall near Matagorda Bay late Monday, then take a turn to
the northeast Tuesday through Thursday. Arrival of tropical storm
force winds is most likely Monday morning, but could arrive as early
as this evening.
We continue to anticipate a prolonged heavy rainfall and coastal
flooding event from Beta with elevated tides already occuring bringing
coastal flooding. Coastal flooding will remain a threat through
midweek with the worst of the storm surge anticipated on Monday and
Tuesday. The first rainbands from Beta have started to move onshore
today, but the heaviest rain will not occur until Monday into
Tuesday. Generally 6 to 12 inches of rain is expected with locally
higher amounts of around 15 inches along the immediate coast.
The combination of storm surge and heavy rainfall along with high
tides will elevate the risk of dangerous flooding along the Barrier
Islands and inner coastal locations through mid-week.
Many local authorities have issued voluntary evacuation orders for
low-lying and flood-prone areas. If you are within an area where an
evacuation warning has been issued, please heed the advice of your
local officials. The storm surge and flash flooding impacts of Beta
will have the potential to be life-threatening.
* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across the Barrier Islands and coastal regions from
Matagorda Bay through Galveston Bay. Potential impacts in
this area include:
- Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
- Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
spots.
- Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
numerous rip currents.
- Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
unprotected anchorages.
Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across portions of Southeast Texas with the
highest rain totals expected along the coast. Potential
impacts include:
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may
become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may
become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across across the Northern Brazos Valley and up
towards Houston County.
* WIND:
Prepare for dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across
along the immediate coast, especially near the landfall location which
is expected to occur near Matagorda Bay. Potential impacts in this area
include:
- Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile
homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight
objects become dangerous projectiles.
- Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several
fences and roadway signs blown over.
- Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access
routes impassable.
- Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
in areas with above ground lines.
Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across most of Southeast Texas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions,
including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so
immediately.
For those not under evacuation orders, assess the risk from wind,
falling trees, and flooding at your location. If you decide to move,
relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do not relocate, help
keep roadways open for those under evacuation orders.
If evacuating, leave with a destination in mind and allow extra time
to get there. Take your emergency supplies kit. Gas up your vehicle
ahead of time.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your
home or business.
Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles
can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide
poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly
ventilated area.
Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and
hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge
zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find
yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed
evacuation orders issued by the local authorities.
Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don`t drown!
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
NEXT UPDATE
-----------
The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Houston/Galveston TX around , or sooner if conditions
warrant.
$$
limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees
are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown
over.
- A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within
urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving
conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways.
- Scattered power and communications outages.
* STORM SURGE
- No storm surge inundation forecast
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Little to no storm
surge flooding
- The storm surge threat has remained nearly steady from the
previous assessment.
- PLAN: There is little to no threat of storm surge flooding.
Rough surf, coastal erosion, and life-threatening rip
currents are possible.
- PREPARE: Little to no preparations for storm surge flooding
are needed.
- ACT: Follow the instructions of local officials. Monitor
forecasts.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None
- Little to no potential impacts from storm surge flooding.
* FLOODING RAIN
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flash Flood Watch is in effect
- Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 3-6 inches, with locally
higher amounts
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for major
flooding rain
- The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from
the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for
major flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are
likely.
- PREPARE: Strongly consider protective actions, especially
if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding.
- ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take
action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and
rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches
may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and
barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or
washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover
escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of
moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions
become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some
weakened or washed out.
* TORNADO
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
- Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for a few
tornadoes
- The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the
previous assessment.
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for a
few tornadoes.
- PREPARE: If your shelter is particularly vulnerable to
tornadoes, prepare to relocate to safe shelter before
hazardous weather arrives.
- ACT: If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter
quickly.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited
- The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the
execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
- A few places may experience tornado damage, along with
power and communications disruptions.
- Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings,
chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or
overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off,
shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown
off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings.
$$Flash Flood Watch
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
844 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2020
TXZ199-200-210>214-226-227-235>238-300-313-335>338-436>438-211300-
/O.CON.KHGX.FF.A.0005.000000T0000Z-200923T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Austin-Brazoria Islands-Chambers-Coastal Brazoria-
Coastal Galveston-Coastal Harris-Coastal Jackson-
Coastal Matagorda-Colorado-Fort Bend-
Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula-Inland Brazoria-
Inland Galveston-Inland Harris-Inland Jackson-Inland Matagorda-
Matagorda Islands-Montgomery-Northern Liberty-Southern Liberty-
Waller-Wharton-
Including the cities of Alvin, Anahuac, Angleton, Bay City,
Baytown, Bellville, Brookshire, Cleveland, Clute, Columbus,
Conroe, Dayton, Devers, Dickinson, Eagle Lake, Edna, El Campo,
First Colony, Freeport, Friendswood, Galveston, Ganado,
Hempstead, Houston, La Marque, Lake Jackson, League City,
Liberty, Mission Bend, Missouri City, Mont Belvieu,
Old River-Winfree, Palacios, Pasadena, Pearland, Pecan Grove,
Prairie View, Rosenberg, Sealy, Stowell, Sugar Land,
Surfside Beach, Texas City, The Woodlands, Waller, Weimar,
Wharton, and Winnie
844 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2020
...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING...
The Flash Flood Watch continues for
* Portions of south central Texas and southeast Texas...
including the following counties...in south central Texas...
Coastal Jackson and Inland Jackson. In southeast Texas...
Austin...Brazoria Islands...Chambers...Coastal Brazoria...
Coastal Galveston...Coastal Harris...Coastal Matagorda...
Colorado...Fort Bend...Galveston Island and Bolivar
Peninsula...Inland Brazoria...Inland Galveston...Inland
Harris...Inland Matagorda...Matagorda Islands...Montgomery...
Northern Liberty...Southern Liberty...Waller and Wharton.
* Through Tuesday evening
* Prolonged heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Beta will have the
potential to produce rainfall totals averaging 6 to 12 inches
with isolated amounts around 15 inches. The threat of flooding
along the coast is also increased due to storm surge potentially
reducing the ability of rainfall to drain. The heaviest rainfall
will occur Monday into Tuesday.
* This prolonged period of rainfall will have the potential to
produce life-threatening street and structure flooding.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to Flash Flooding. Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation.
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Do not enter or cross flowing water or water of unknown depth.
You may be risking your life if you do so. Flooding is
responsible for almost 90% of all tropical cyclone-related deaths
in the United States.
&&
$$
