MD 0262 CONCERNING SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 54… FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH-CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST TEXAS
Mesoscale Discussion 0262
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0354 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
Areas affected…Portions of south-central and southeast Texas
Concerning…Severe Thunderstorm Watch 54…
Valid 152054Z – 152230Z
The severe weather threat for Severe Thunderstorm Watch 54
continues.
SUMMARY…The severe-storm risk continues across Severe Thunderstorm
Watch 54. Large to very large hail remains the primary concern.
DISCUSSION…Supercell clusters continue to evolve/intensify between
San Antonio and Houston TX this afternoon, generally focused along
the outflow-modified cold front draped across the area. The
environment remains favorable for large to very large hail
production (possibly increasing to near 2 to 3-inch diameter) with
these supercells, given fairly weak sub-freezing level
shear/buoyancy and favorable instability and cloud-layer shear
through the hail-growth zone. So far, 1.75 inch hail and wind damage
has been reported with this activity. In addition to the large-hail
risk, severe-gust potential should also increase owing to localized
upscale growth into larger supercell clusters and bowing segments.
However, the increasing storm coverage could also lead to
destructive interference with time, especially northwest of the
Houston area.
Farther west, two discrete supercells are ongoing west-northwest of
Eagle Pass TX (across the International border). While these storms
are largely anchored to the higher terrain, east-southeast
right-mover and north-northeast left-mover storm motion vectors
could allow this activity to spread across the border with time.
Continued pre-convective heating/destabilization amid favorable
vertical shear should support the maintenance of this activity into
TX, with the primary risk being very large hail.
..Weinman.. 03/15/2024
…Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product…
ATTN…WFO…LCH…HGX…CRP…EWX…
LAT…LON 28560016 28540053 28840076 29190089 29580077 29860045
29920018 29629956 29549891 29659810 30339688 30569630
30579582 30509448 30139419 29849426 29069567 28849637
28729742 28739804 28899871 28859942 28560016
