National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Heavy Rain and Flooding Along the Central Gulf Coast; Severe Weather in South Texas

Heavy to excessive rainfall could lead to flash flooding over portions of east Texas into southern Mississippi through Wednesday morning. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across the southern Great Plains to coastal Louisiana Wednesday. Large hail will be the primary threat, with the greatest risk across south Texas. 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.

 

 

nws logo Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged!
Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site.
nws logo