August 2017: Looking Back at Harvey 5 Year Later

[Rip76]

Need a little help here.

I have a cousin who lives in South Padre, but is currently moving to Rockport as we speak.
(Great timing)

If they could only be at one of two places, which is the preferred?
I'm assuming South Padre with the current track?

I know, not an easy question to answer.

**Also, can you listen to HGX weather radio online anymore?**

[ticka1]

South Padre - dirty side and per satellite - all the convection is on the east side of harvey. But are they on the beach in South Padre?

[Rip76]

South Padre - dirty side and per satellite - all the convection is on the east side of harvey. But are they on the beach in South Padre?

I believe South Padre would be on the dirty side if this went into northern Mexico.

[tireman4]

Need a little help here.

**Also, can you listen to HGX weather radio online anymore?**

I can answer that...yes......

https://www.wunderground.com/wxradio/

[jasons2k]

Always rely on the official NHC forecast to make decisions, but I think Rockport will be very close to the landfall point. If I lived in Rockport, I'd be evacuating today.

I wouldn't stick around on SPI either, but I think between the two, Rockport area gets nailed.

[davidiowx]

I have the Midland WR300 weather radio and like it a lot. I have a feeling I will be listening to that for the next few days non stop.

[innerman]

Thank all of you so very much. I have a very disappointed daughter but you helped. As of now she is going to call it off. I hope they do call for evacuations because I am worried about her family that is down there.

Again, I really appreciate your help

I didn't even know there was a Portland in Texas.

Yep Oz, it is near Gregory Texas......it is near Beaumont...

FYI, I think Portland is actually just across the bridge NE of Corpus Christi. Not close to Beaumont.

[BiggieSmalls]

Anyone have a guess as to if/when Hobby and IAH could shut it down tomorrow?

[tireman4]

I apologize. Forgive me on that one. You are correct. It is indeed near Corpus Christi.

[tireman4]

Thank all of you so very much. I have a very disappointed daughter but you helped. As of now she is going to call it off. I hope they do call for evacuations because I am worried about her family that is down there.

Again, I really appreciate your help

I didn't even know there was a Portland in Texas.

Yep Oz, it is near Gregory Texas......it is near Corpus Christi..

Edit..It is near Corpus Christi, not Beaumont. My apologies

[srainhoutx]

RECON has been flying around the inner core of Harvey for the last 10-12 minutes sampling with that 16 mile wide eye. Lowest pressure extrapolated down to 981.5mb. Expect to see a picture via the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron on Twitter later.

[texoz]

RECON has been flying around the inner core of Harvey for the last 10-12 minutes sampling with that 16 mile wide eye. Lowest pressure extrapolated down to 981.5mb. Expect to see a picture via the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron on Twitter later.

For reference:
The 4AM advisory had 995 mb and 45 mph.
The 7AM advisory had 986 mb and 60 mph.

Predictions for 10 AM?? 981 mb and 80 mph?

[Andrew]

RECON has been flying around the inner core of Harvey for the last 10-12 minutes sampling with that 16 mile wide eye. Lowest pressure extrapolated down to 981.5mb. Expect to see a picture via the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron on Twitter later.

For reference:
The 4AM advisory had 995 mb and 45 mph.
The 7AM advisory had 986 mb and 60 mph.

Predictions for 10 AM?? 981 mb and 80 mph?

Winds are trying to catch up still. Probably won't be that high. Maybe strong TS still at 10am.

[sau27]

I see that landfall is already within the time frame of the TX Tech WRF, how reliable are these short-range hi-res models (ie HRRR) with tropical systems?

[srainhoutx]

Tropical Storm Harvey Discussion Number 16
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL092017
1000 AM CDT Thu Aug 24 2017

Data from an Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that
Harvey is quickly strengthening, and the cyclone's structure has
improved markedly with the plane reporting a closed 15-20 n mi wide
eye. The flight-level and SFMR winds support an intensity of 55 kt,
but one of the more notable measurements is the central pressure,
which has fallen to 982 mb. With a pressure this low, it is likely
that the winds will respond and increase further, and Harvey
probably isn't too far from becoming a hurricane.

With Harvey now strengthening at a faster rate than indicated in
previous advisories, the intensity forecast has become quite
concerning. Water vapor images indicate that the cyclone's outflow
is expanding--indicative of low shear--and Harvey will be moving
over a warm eddy of high oceanic heat content in the western Gulf of
Mexico in about 24 hours. As a result of these conditions, several
intensity models, including the ICON intensity consensus, are now
explicit showing Harvey reaching major hurricane intensity. What's
more astounding is that some of the SHIPS Rapid Intensification
indices are incredibly high. As an example, the guidance is
indicating a 70 percent chance of Harvey's winds increasing by 45 kt
over the next 36 hours. Based on this guidance, the NHC official
intensity forecast now calls for Harvey to reach major hurricane
strength by 36 hours, before it reaches the middle Texas coast.

Aircraft fixes indicate that Harvey has turned toward the north-
northwest, and the initial motion estimate is 340/9 kt. A mid-
level high centered near Florida and the eastern Gulf of Mexico
should force Harvey toward the northwest later today, with that
trajectory continuing for the next couple of days. By 48 hours,
the cyclone appears to get sandwiched between the same mid-level
high over the Gulf of Mexico and a larger high over the
Intermountain West, which will cause Harvey to slow down
considerably during its approach toward the Texas coast and then
potentially stall just inland on days 3 through 5. Mainly based on
an adjustment of the initial position, the NHC forecast track has
been nudged northeastward on this cycle, but it still lies
relatively close to the TVCN multi-model consensus and the HFIP
Corrected Consensus Approach (HCCA).

It is critical that users not focus on the exact forecast track
of Harvey, since cycle-to-cycle adjustment are likely. All
locations within the hurricane and storm surge warning areas should
be preparing for the possibility of major hurricane-force winds and
life-threatening storm surge.

Key Messages:

1. Harvey has intensified quickly this morning, and is now forecast
to be a major hurricane at landfall, bringing life-threatening storm
surge, rainfall, and wind hazards to portions of the Texas coast.
Preparations to protect life and property should be completed by
tonight, as tropical-storm-force winds will first arrive in the
hurricane and storm surge warning areas on Friday.

2. A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for much of the Texas coast.
Life-threatening storm surge flooding could reach heights of 6 to 10
feet above ground level at the coast between the north entrance of
the Padre Island National Seashore and Sargent. For a depiction of
areas at risk, see the Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic at
hurricanes.gov.

3. Life-threatening flooding is expected across much of the Texas
coast from heavy rainfall of 12 to 20 inches, with isolated amounts
as high as 30 inches, from Friday through early next week. Please
refer to products from your local National Weather Service office
and the NOAA Weather Prediction Center for more information on the
flooding hazard.

4. The Potential Storm Surge Flooding Map is available on the NHC
website. This product depicts a reasonable worst-case scenario -
the amount of inundation that has a 10 percent chance of being
exceeded at each individual location. This map best represents
the flooding potential in those locations within the watch and
warning areas.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 24/1500Z 24.0N 93.3W 55 KT 65 MPH
12H 25/0000Z 24.9N 94.2W 70 KT 80 MPH
24H 25/1200Z 26.0N 95.3W 90 KT 105 MPH
36H 26/0000Z 27.3N 96.3W 100 KT 115 MPH
48H 26/1200Z 28.3N 97.0W 95 KT 110 MPH...INLAND
72H 27/1200Z 29.0N 97.7W 40 KT 45 MPH...INLAND
96H 28/1200Z 28.5N 97.5W 35 KT 40 MPH...INLAND
120H 29/1200Z 28.5N 96.5W 30 KT 35 MPH...INLAND

$$
Forecaster Berg

[MRG93415]

Ok, so it will be a Hurricane now, a major one. So does that put Houston out of this flooding threat or is it going to be worse. I am sorry, this is all so confusing and I am trying to keep up...

[davidiowx]

Ok, so it will be a Hurricane now, a major one. So does that put Houston out of this flooding threat or is it going to be worse. I am sorry, this is all so confusing and I am trying to keep up...

Good question and the answer is, likely no. Houston is still in a very serious flood threat and possible hurricane threat. The track is continuing to shift ever so slightly more N and E of the initial track. All we can do now is watch, be prepared and be ready to act fast in the event of sudden changes to the forecast.

[srainhoutx]

Ok, so it will be a Hurricane now, a major one. So does that put Houston out of this flooding threat or is it going to be worse. I am sorry, this is all so confusing and I am trying to keep up...

The rainfall/inland flooding threat has not changes. Expect 20+ inches with higher totals nearing 30 inches where the feeder bands set up. That location cannot be determined as of now. Now is the time to finish whatever preparations that need to be completed. The general feeling within the State/Local and Federal Government which includes ALL of the Weather Agencies is extreme concern for a Major Weather Event across a good portion of Texas and beyond. This Weather Event is expected to last at least 5 to 7 days...if not more counting the aftermath,

[Andrew]

I see that landfall is already within the time frame of the TX Tech WRF, how reliable are these short-range hi-res models (ie HRRR) with tropical systems?

They usually do a pretty poor job. They are more inline with NAM when it comes to forecasting tracks/intensity

[davidiowx]

Northern shift in the track..