A squall line will be moving into the area from the west and northwest through the period. Expect this line of storms to be roughly situated from Madisonville to Columbus by 910 am...and from Austonio to Huntsville to Conroe to Houston to Matagorda Bay by 1030 am. Though widespread severe weather is not expected with these storms...winds will really increase as it pushes through. Expect wind gusts between 20 and 40 mph. There are several outdoor activities going on today. Keep an eye to the sky...and plan to seek shelter as you observe these storms moving in from the west northwest.
Forecast for Harris
Updated: 4:47 am CDT on March 20, 2010
Wind Advisory in effect from 4 PM this afternoon to 7 PM CDT Sunday...
Today
Cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning...then showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Some thunderstorms may produce gusty winds late in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 60s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph in the morning becoming northwest with gusts to around 30 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 40 percent in the morning increasing to 90 percent in the afternoon.
Mostly cloudy early in the evening then clearing. Breezy...colder. Lows in the upper 30s. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph. Isolated showers possible early in the evening.
Sunday
Partly cloudy early in the morning then becoming mostly sunny. Breezy...cooler. Highs in the mid 50s. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph.
Partly cloudy in the evening...then mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain after midnight. Warmer. Lows in the mid 50s.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers. Highs in the lower 70s.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers. Lows in the upper 50s.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 70.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms early in the evening...then a 30 percent chance in the late evening and early morning. Lows in the mid 50s.
Friday
Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.
... Wind Advisory in effect from 4 PM this afternoon to 7 PM CDT Sunday...
The National Weather Service in Houston/Galveston has issued a Wind Advisory... which is in effect from 4 PM this afternoon to 7 PM CDT Sunday.
Strong northwest winds will be developing in the wake of a line of showers and thunderstorms associated with a potent cold front. Sustained winds of 20 to 25 mph with higher gusts can be expected late this afternoon in the early evening hours then should relax slightly. Near the coast winds of 20 to 30 mph will be likely and continue through the night.
After sunrise winds inland will begin to increase again and sustained winds of 15 to 20 mph with gusts near 30 mph will be possible during the day Sunday.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
Drivers of vans... campers... trailers... and other high-profile vehicles should be alert to the danger of these winds... especially when driving along northeast to southwest oriented roads
Special Weather Statement
Statement as of 9:14 AM CDT on March 20, 2010
... Significant weather advisory...
At 907 am CDT... National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 24 miles north of Navasota to 11 miles east of Columbus to 31 miles northwest of Edna to 32 miles west of Edna... moving southeast at 35 mph.
Winds greater than 40 mph and frequent lightning are possible with these storms.
Locations in the path of these storms include... Wadsworth... Vanderbilt... Sheridan... Rock Island... Roans Prairie... Morales... Louise... Egypt... Spring... Bedias... Anderson... Willis... Wharton... Tomball... Rosenberg... Prairie View... Pinehurst... Navasota... Montgomery... La Ward... Katy... Hempstead... El Campo... Edna... Eagle Lake... Conroe... Columbus... Bellville... and Beasley.
Gusty winds may cause unsecured small objects such as trash cans to blow around. Avoid tall outdoor objects that can attract lightning. If you are outdoors and hear thunder... you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Seek shelter in a sturdy structure or non-convertible automobile until these storms have passed.