April Weather Discussion.

[sleetstorm]

This may sound like a silly query, but how do you tell the size of hailstones that these severe thunderstorms are producing other than from what some people have been reporting?

[srainhoutx]

Okay, I went to NEXRAD radar and I saw a long column of different shades of different hues which of course is the rate of precipitation. But beside that to the right of the initials dBZ are a column of numbers which are in multiple of five. Do they indicate what elevation that showers & thunderstorms as far as in feet, wxdata, srainhoutx, wxman57, Ptarmigan?

In basic terms, that's showing how strong the return to the radar antenna is. The stronger the return the heavier the rain is falling.

Here's where you want to go

http://www.wunderground.com/radar/radblast.asp?ID=HGX

Just to the left of the color bar is a vertical bar labeled " Advanced Radar Types Click"

Click on that and near the bottom is 'echo tops"

wxdata gave a great 'free' link to see all the questions you're asking sleet. Check it out. There are some cool features to explore.

[wxdata]

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX
738 PM CDT WED APR 7 2010

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LEAGUE CITY HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
NORTHERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS...
CENTRAL SAN JACINTO COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS...
SOUTHEASTERN WALKER COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS...

* UNTIL 830 PM CDT

* AT 732 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 10 MILES WEST OF NEW
WAVERLY...OR ON THE WEST SIDE OF LAKE CONROE...AND WAS MOVING EAST
AT 30 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT
LIMITED TO COLDSPRING..

[wxdata]

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX
748 PM CDT WED APR 7 2010

TXZ198-199-212-213-080145-
GRIMES-HARRIS-MONTGOMERY-WALLER-
748 PM CDT WED APR 7 2010

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR A STRONG THUNDERSTORM...

AT 742 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR PRAIRIE VIEW...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

ONE HALF INCH DIAMETER HAIL...WINDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH...CONTINUOUS
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...BRIEF HEAVY DOWNPOURS...ARE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE...LAKE CONROE DAM...
WOODLOCH...WILLIS...TOMBALL...TODD MISSION...THE WOODLANDS...
STAGECOACH...SPRING...PRAIRIE VIEW...PINEHURST...PINE ISLAND...
HEMPSTEAD...CONROE AND CHATEAU WOODS.

[weatherguy425]

Just looking at the radar, it apears that the storm in Northern Montgomery county has rotation with it.

[wxdata]

HPC Evening update:

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outloo ... _0100.html

[kayci]

*yawn*... oh well. Looks like nada rain for Texas City.

[biggerbyte]

Folks, there is an outflow boundary moving s.e. across portions of Montgomery and Harris counties. Watch for some rain and storms to form along this boundary. If you happen to be under the activity moving n.e., look out for severe weather.

Hey biggerbyte, I have not heard from you in a while. Have you been busy with college/work?

Hello...

Thank you for noticing... Yes, I have been really busy. I'm remodeling my home, revamping the yard, and working my computer business. Add to that trying to keep up with the whole weather thing, which has had to take a back burner. I've been in and out of the forum. You missed my comments in the thread about march, suggesting we would not see severe weather until sometime in April.

How have you been?

BB

[amandamarie01]

Hi all - updating from Dayton. Nice & cool out. Seeing a good bit of lighting in the clouds to my North & it seems to be moving Northwest. There is a nasty, low grumbling of thunder ever 5 or 10 minutes.

[sleetstorm]

Okay, I went to NEXRAD radar and I saw a long column of different shades of different hues which of course is the rate of precipitation. But beside that to the right of the initials dBZ are a column of numbers which are in multiple of five. Do they indicate what elevation that showers & thunderstorms as far as in feet, wxdata, srainhoutx, wxman57, Ptarmigan?

In basic terms, that's showing how strong the return to the radar antenna is. The stronger the return the heavier the rain is falling.

Here's where you want to go

http://www.wunderground.com/radar/radblast.asp?ID=HGX

Just to the left of the color bar is a vertical bar labeled " Advanced Radar Types Click"

Click on that and near the bottom is 'echo tops"

wxdata gave a great 'free' link to see all the questions you're asking sleet. Check it out. There are some cool features to explore.

I already did all of that srainhoutx, but, yes, thank you.

[sleetstorm]

Folks, there is an outflow boundary moving s.e. across portions of Montgomery and Harris counties. Watch for some rain and storms to form along this boundary. If you happen to be under the activity moving n.e., look out for severe weather.

Hey biggerbyte, I have not heard from you in a while. Have you been busy with college/work?

Hello...

Thank you for noticing... Yes, I have been really busy. I'm remodeling my home, revamping the yard, and working my computer business. Add to that trying to keep up with the whole weather thing, which has had to take a back burner. I've been in and out of the forum. You missed my comments in the thread about march, suggesting we would not see severe weather until sometime in April.

How have you been?

BB

I am still praying to God to bless me with a job even if is only part time for the time being. I tell you that this economic recession is not assisting anyone at all particularly those who very badly need work, and an income. I understand that President Barack is trying to get the economy back in the right direction bugt it is just not fast enough for those who again very much need work and financial assistance and support. Anyway, enough on that subject. You said that you are remodeling your home, revamping your yard, & computer business. How are all three coming along? Did the hard freezes during the months of January and February douse all of the life out of all of your plants or at least some of them, or are you simply ready for a change in scenery?

About not seeing any severe weather until the month of April, Texas did have some of that, at least the north half did. Now, southeast Texas did get one rather healthy Bow Echo late last month which came through over two hours prior sunrise. But most of our friends on this forum said that they did not hear anything or did get anything because some of those severe thunderstorms that came through SE Texas did so when a majority of us were still sound asleep. I just happened to wake up sometime between 4:35 and 4:40 that morning when I heard thunder outside. I took my cell phone, brought up the internet, gazed at the dopplar radar and there was, again, that very healthy Bow Echo Thunderstorm. It did not last even ten minutes because it was moving so fast. But it sure was enough to make me happy.

[biggerbyte]

I really hope you find work soon. The airport is hiring big time. Most stable jobs right now are Government and Medical.

Yes, there was major damage in my yard from the big freeze. I lost lots of stuff. The revamp is two-fold, however. I just wanted a fresh start with a new look. You may agree that a beautiful yard says something about the people that live there. Plus, I just like nice things anyway. It is tough though when you are single trying to do all/be all.

As far as severe weather for march. I mean a substancial outbreak. You know when that happens, because this forum is hopping with activity. Some folks sit up all night long watching the radar. April looks to be a very good month to start that engine.

[srainhoutx]

Just looking at the LSRs, nothing bigger than 0.75 inches in the HGX CWA.

Not much rain at my house, which is worse. Dragging out the sprinkler this weekend.

Not much here as well, Ed. As wxdata has stated, I also am becoming bit concerned by the lack of rain as of late. Looking at long range guidance there really is much hope rain chances as well. Western trough and a stubborn SE Ridge is becoming established. Enjoy the cooler weather while we have it because we may very well start to warm up and we will be longing for these pleasant temps. At least some of the pollen was washed down though.

[sleetstorm]

Just looking at the LSRs, nothing bigger than 0.75 inches in the HGX CWA.

Not much rain at my house, which is worse. Dragging out the sprinkler this weekend.

Not much here as well, Ed. As wxdata has stated, I also am becoming bit concerned by the lack of rain as of late. Looking at long range guidance there really is much hope rain chances as well. Western trough and a stubborn SE Ridge is becoming established. Enjoy the cooler weather while we have it because we may very well start to warm up and we will be longing for these pleasant temps. At least some of the pollen was washed down though.

That is what I have stated several times in the past. Everyone on this forum better revel in these pleasently cool spring days while they are able to because the remainder of this month on into September could very well have some days with temperatures in the nineties to triple digits+ º heat, regardless of whether we get high humidity or not.

[wxdata]

Also the trend for at least SE TX has been dry after a wet winter.

[sleetstorm]

I really hope you find work soon. The airport is hiring big time. Most stable jobs right now are Government and Medical.

Yes, there was major damage in my yard from the big freeze. I lost lots of stuff. The revamp is two-fold, however. I just wanted a fresh start with a new look. You may agree that a beautiful yard says something about the people that live there. Plus, I just like nice things anyway. It is tough though when you are single trying to do all/be all.

As far as severe weather for march. I mean a substancial outbreak. You know when that happens, because this forum is hopping with activity. Some folks sit up all night long watching the radar. April looks to be a very good month to start that engine.

Oh, I do concur a that beautiful, well kept yard does say something about the person who lives there. I defineitely would not want anyone to see how bad that my yard looks after a series of very strong freezes have extiguished all of life out of most of my plants that have been growing excellently for x-number of years.

The energy for severe thunderstroms just does not seem to be coming far enough south to ignite a good widespread severe thunderstorm outbreak that the north half of Texas experienced late last month and yesterday. The components just are not coming together, or they do but then they fall apart. I pray that the rest of this month does bring a good severe thunderstorm outbreak. Nothing fatal though, mind you. Just edaquate to give everyone in this forum a good thrill.

[wxdata]

Next five days- basically everywhere except here!

[Ptarmigan]

Also the trend for at least SE TX has been dry after a wet winter.

I remember 1998 had a wet winter and dry spring and hot summer. Guess what, two tropical storms hit us, Charley and Frances. The upcoming hurricane season has the same name cycle as in 1998 and 2004.

[srainhoutx]

Except for the Gulf being frigid, this would be interesting. If the Gulf were warmer, this would go in the hurricane forum.


GFS puts us on the South end of the 500 mb ridge, and drifts a weak surface feature Westward in the Gulf.


Look at Hours 138-180.


No model support I can see, although Euro tries to put the ridge axis North of us briefly...

Do we need another thread on April Weather Discussions for this?

[srainhoutx]

You can move it if you want, I suppose.

Done. The Topic Title can be edited if need be.