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Flooding Risks from Tropical Moisture Across the Southeast and Southwest

Tropical moisture from Isaias and Rachel will impact portions of the Southeast and Southwest this weekend. Flash flooding, strong winds and even a threat for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible. Meanwhile, strong winds and dry fuels are raising fire weather concerns across the central Great Basin and western High Plains. Across the northern Rockies, first winter storm of the season. Read More >

Overview

On Jan 3rd, 2019, a compact but vigorous southern stream closed low moved across west Texas and slowed down as it approached the Red River Valley. This allowed plentiful moisture and lift to wrap around the system as it strengthened. Cold air on the backside of the low interacted with increasing moisture to produce a persistent band of snow across the far eastern Texas Panhandle. The heavier snow (6 to 8 inches) fell from Higgins to Canadian to Wheeler to near and west of Wellington. However, areas along and west of Borger to Amarillo stayed high and dry with just a few mid level clouds.

 

Fig 1: Mid-level water vapor imagery from GOES 16 shows the low pressure system as it moves east along the Red River Valley.

 

Fig 2: GOES 16 CIRA Geocolor reveals snow over the eastern Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma as the sun rises on Jan 4th.

 

 

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