What Was New in 2003?

Previous Page Update: Tue. December 23, 2003

• The Southeast Texas November 2003 Climate Review is available. This and more climate review information can be found in our Previous Public Information Statements Page.
• NOAA has issued its USA Winter Weather Update. Their forecast is for January through March 2004. A cooler and wetter start of 2004 for Southeast Texas?
• NOAA has also issued a report on 2003 Climate in the United States. U.S. and global climate summaries are included.
• A more detailed report can be found in NCDC's Climate of 2003 - 2003 in Historical Perspective.

Previous Page Update: Tue. December 1, 2003

• A white Christmas? What are our chances?
• We can finally say goodbye to the 2003 Hurricane season. The good folks at the Tropical Prediction Center have composed their end of the season summary for the storms that were.
• While most of the damage has been cleared...the events of the November 17th tornado outbreak will probably be with a lot of people for a while. Many thanks to the storm spotters, emergency management officials, and member of law enforcement that have sent us pictures and information.
• Winter is Coming! Learn how to protect your family, pets, and property from hazardous winter weather. Winter storms are deceptive killers, because most deaths related to the storm are caused by traffic accidents on icy roads or hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold. Before winter sets in, take this opportunity to get ready for the upcoming winter season by preparing emergency survival kits for your home and car. And here is the latest update on the winter weather outlook for the nation.
• The November 2003 climate datum for southeast Texas is now available.

Previous Page Update: Fri. November 7, 2003

• The Southeast Texas October 2003 Climate Review is now available. This and more climate review information can be found in our Previous Public Information Statements Page.
• The October Tropical Weather Summary is now available.

Previous Page Update: Sun. November 2, 2003

• November climate normals, means and extremes are available for Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• The Top Ten wettest, driest, warmest, and coolest Novembers are available for Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• The hurricane season winds down this month. While there has never ever been a tropical cyclone landfall in Texas in November...one can never be too sure what the future holds. Hurricane Tracking Maps (in PDF format) are available at the bottom of the Southern Region Headquarters Tropical Page.
• The October 2003 climate datum is now available.

Previous Page Update: Sat. October 4, 2003

• October climate normals, means and extremes are available for Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• The Top Ten wettest, driest, warmest, and coolest Octobers are available for Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• Hurricane Tracking Maps (in PDF format) are available at the bottom of the Southern Region Headquarters Tropical Page.
• The September Tropical Weather Summary is now available.
• The September 2003 climate datum is now available.

Previous Update: Thu. September 25, 2003

• On Monday, September 22, 2003, the City of Friendswood became the first community in the Houston/Galveston area to be certified as StormReady. More information on the National Weather Service's StormReady program can be found here. Congratulations, Friendswood!
• Here are some pretty amazing Hurricane Isabel damage photos of the North Carolina coast.
• The Hurricane Research Division's Hurricane Isabel 2003 Mission Catalog has numerous photos, weather charts and graphics from their flights into Isabel. Make sure you check out their pictures of Isabel's amazing eyewall!

Previous Update: Thu. September 18, 2003

• The City of Friendswood is set to become the first community in the Houston/Galveston area to be certified as StormReady. More information on the National Weather Service's StormReady program can be found here. Congratulations, Friendswood!
• The Upper Texas Coast Tropical Cyclones in the 2000s page has been updated to include this year's Tropical Storms Bill and Grace and Hurricane Claudette. A Satellite photo of each storm (and the other 2000s storms, Fay in 2002 and Allison in 2001) has been included in the update.

Previous Update: Fri. September 12, 2003

• The Southeast Texas Summer 2003 Climate Review is now available. This and more climate review information can be found in our Previous Public Information Statements Page.
• We have posted our Tropical Storm Grace Post Storm Report on our Tropical Page.
• Just a reminder...Hurricane Tracking Maps (in PDF format) are now available at the bottom of the Southern Region Headquarters Tropical Page.

Previous Page Update: Sat. September 4, 2003

• September marks the peak of the hurricane season. Keep up with the latest on our Tropical Page or NWS Southern Region Headquarters Tropical Page or the Tropical Prediction Center.
• Just a reminder...the hurricane season doen not come to an official end until November 30th. Just because portions of Southeast Texas experienced Hurricane Claudette and Tropical Storm Grace does not mean our season is over.
• Additional radar loops and an updated Post Storm Reportare now available on our Hurricane Claudette Page.
• Dr. Gray has made an end of August update on his 2003 Atlantic hurricane season forecast.
• Hurricane Tracking Maps (in PDF format) are now available at the bottom of the Southern Region Headquarters Tropical Page.
• The August Tropical Weather Summary is now available.
• The August 2003 climate datum is now available.

Previous Page Update: Mon. August 18, 2003

• The last major hurricane to strike the Upper Texas Coast was Alicia, and it happened twenty years ago today.

Previous Page Update: Thu. August 14, 2003

• Tropical Storm Erika has formed in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. We have initially issued a Marine Weather Statement and a Public Information Statement on Erika.
• If we (or other adjacent coastal offices) begin to issue Tropical Storm or Hurricane Local Statements on Erika, they can be found on our Tropical Page under the section labeled "Hurricane Local Statements (HLS)." Here is a direct link to our HLS.
• The current advisory package on Erika can be viewed on the right-hand side of our Tropical Page in the blue section labeled "2003 Active Storms."
• Here is a direct link the National Hurricane Center's (NHC) webpage on Erika where you can also get Erika's latest advisory package and graphics.
• All products and graphics on Erika are being archived at this NHC website.
• Finally, here is Southern Region Headquarter's Tropical Weather Page.

Previous Page Update: Fri. August 8, 2003

• Last month's Hurricane Claudette was the first hurricane to strike the Port O'Connor and Matagorda Bay area since Hurricane Fern on September 10, 1971.
• NOAA forecasters are still predicting an above-normal 2003 Atlantic hurricane season.
• Dr. Gray has made only a few changes on his forecast update for the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season.
• The July Tropical Weather Summary is now available.
• So, what is it - El Ni�o or La Ni�a?
• You think some of the hail we sometimes see here across Southeast Texas is large? Well, take a look at this record-breaking hailstone!
• The July 2003 climate datum is now available.

Previous Page Update: Wed. July 23, 2003

• Our Hurricane Claudette Page is now available.

Previous Page Update: Fri. July 18, 2003

• Hurricane Claudette made landfall on Tuesday, July 15th near Port O'Connor. This was the first hurricane to directly affect the Matagorda Bay area since Fern in September 1971.
• Our Preliminary Storm Report on Hurricane Claudette can be found here.
• Archived advisories and graphics on Claudette from the NHC/TPC are available here.

Previous Page Update: Tue. July 1, 2003

• Click here to check out what has happened on previous Independence Days.
• See the archived advisories for Bill, our first Gulf of Mexico tropical storm of the year.
• You can now get forecasts for buoys 42019 and 42035, off the coast of Galveston. These links are available on our marine page in the "Other Forecasts" section.
• The June Tropical Weather Summary is now available.
• The June 2003 Climate Summary for Southeast Texas is now available. Previous climate summaries can be found on our Climate Page and our Previous Public Information Statements Page.
• The June 2003 climate datum is now available.
• Due to a recent upgrade to our webpage, several links may still not work. If you would like, you may email us to let us know of links that are not working.

Previous Page Update: Tue. June 24, 2003

• Due to an upgrade to our webpage, several links may not work for the next week or so. We will work very hard to fix these links and hope to have them all working by the end of the month. If you would like, you may email us to let us know of links that are not working. Thanks for your patience, and sorry if this causes any inconvenience to you.

Previous Page Update: Mon. June 9, 2003

• Our 2003 Hurricane Preparedness Meetings continue.
• Another Public Information Statement has been issued with a more detailed May Climate Summary for Southeast Texas.
• Goodbye El Ni�o , Hello La Ni�a!
• Just another reminder - The week of June 22-28 is Lightning Safety Awareness Week.
• Our Marine Page now has links to clickable maps webpages where you can get the latest nearshore and offshore forecasts. Just look in the "Marine Forecasts" section.
• Don't forget to check out Southern Region's "Turn Around...Don't Drown" campaign to educate us on the flood and flash flood threat will will undoubtedly see again.

Previous Page Update: Sun. June 1, 2003

• June 1st marks the start of the 2003 Hurricane Season. Here are links to the latest hurricane season forecast from NOAA (May 19th) and from Dr. Gray (May 30th).
• Thanks go out to all who attended our Annual Hurricane Workshop last month. If you were unable to attend or would like to go to another meeting, check out our 2003 Hurricane Preparedness Meetings Page for the date and location closest to you.
• You can always go to the National Hurricane Awareness Week website to get excellent information on what you should be doing now - before the next tropical storm or hurricane takes aim on the upper Texas coast.
• The week of June 22-28 is Lightning Safety Awareness Week.
• Even though it may seem like we will never see rain again, it is always important to understand the dangers of flooding and flash flooding. Did you know that each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard? The Southern Region of the National Weather Service has introduced its "Turn Around...Don't Drown" campaign to educate us on this threat.
• For climatology buffs, May 2003 was a record-breaking month for much of Southeast Texas. Galveston (GLS) had their warmest ever and 6th driest May on record!. Houston (IAH) had their second warmest and 4th driest May on record! Not to be left out is College Station (CLL) which had their 5th warmest and 5th driest May on record (this follows April 2003 which was CLL's 2nd driest April on record)! A Public Information Statement has been issued that summarizes these records.
• The May 2003 climate datum are now available.

Previous Page Update: Sun. May 18, 2003

• National Hurricane Awareness Week has begun. During each day this week (May 18-24), the Houston/Galveston National Weather Service Office will release Public Information Statements on different aspects of hurricanes and tropical storms. Now is the time to prepare for the upcoming season that starts in two weeks!
• Don't Forget! The Houston/Galveston 2003 Hurricane Workshop is less than two weeks away - Wednesday, May 28th. This year's theme is Alicia: Our Last Major Hurricane. Hope to see you all there.

Previous Page Update: Wed. May 14, 2003

• Here is an article on the record breaking week of tornadoes that occurred across the central United States earlier this month. More details on individual tornadoes, including some radar, tornado and damage pictures, can be found on these webpages from the National Weather Service Offices in Springfield, MO (May 4th), Topeka, KS (May 8th), and Norman, OK (May 8th and May 9th).
• Don't Forget! The Houston/Galveston 2003 Hurricane Workshop is only two weeks away - Wednesday, May 28th. This year's theme is Alicia: Our Last Major Hurricane. Hope to see you all there.

Previous Page Update: Mon. May 5, 2003

• The April 2003 Climate Summary for Southeast Texas is now available. Previous climate summaries can be found on our Climate Page and our Previous Public Information Statements Page.
• April 2003 has gone down as the second driest April on record for College Station. Only 0.17 inches of rain occurred during the entire month!

Previous Page Update: Thu. May 1, 2003

• The Houston/Galveston 2003 Hurricane Workshop will be May 28th. This year's theme is Alicia: Our Last Major Hurricane.
• The first tropical storm of the 2003 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Ana, formed last month (hurricane season does not officially begin until June 1st!). Ana became only the second known tropical or subtropical cyclone to form in April...with the other one occurring in 1992. The Tropical Prediction Center has an archive of Ana's advisories and graphics.
• When additional hurricane meetings become official, you'll be able to find out on our 2003 Hurricane Preparedness Meetings Page.
• And keeping on the hurricane theme, National Hurricane Awareness Week is May 18-24, 2003. The excellent information on this website can be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water. So check it out - now is the time to prepare for the upcoming season!
• The 2003 SKYWARN Season is over. Your Houston/Galveston National Weather Service Office would like to thank all those who attended this year's training sessions. Hope to see you again in 2004!
• The April 2003 climate datum are now available.

Previous Page Update: Wed. April 23, 2003

• The first tropical storm of the 2003 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Ana formed a couple days ago southwest of Bermuda. Ana is only the second known tropical or subtropical cyclone to form in the month of April ...with the other one occurring in 1992. The Tropical Prediction Center has an archive of Ana's advisories and graphics. The National Weather Service Southern Region Headquarter's Tropical Weather Page is an excellent place to keep track of the latest on this tropical cyclone and future 2003 activity.
• NOAA has launched their new re-designed home page.

Previous Page Update: Fri. April 11, 2003

• Our Severe Weather Reports have been updated and now include events through January 2003.
• The 2003 Hurricane Workshop is on schedule for Wednesday, May 28th at the Pasadena Convention Center. This year's theme is Alicia: Our Last Major Hurricane. More details on this annual event coming soon!
• Speaking of hurricanes, Dr. Gray and crew have come out with their 2003 Hurricane Season Outlook - April update.
• NOAA has extended their hurricane forecasts from three to five days.
• This spring/summer is the ten year anniversary of what has become known as the Great Flood of 1993.

Previous Page Update: Fri. April 4, 2003

• The March 2003 Climate Summary for Southeast Texas is now available.

Previous Page Update: Tue. April 1, 2003

• Here are some April severe weather highlights in recent years, including tornadoes, wind, grapefruit size hail, coastal flooding and record cold.
• Severe Weather Awareness Week was last month. SWAW is always a wonderful opportunity for residents of the state to get "re-acquainted" with the severe weather hazards that have become such a familiar part of our weather landscape.
• Speaking of severe weather, there are only a handful of SKYWARN 2003 training classes left. Time is running out to become a trained weather spotter. Additional information about our SKYWARN program can be found here.
• Check out JETSTREAM, the National Weather Service Weather Southern Region Weather School. This excellent website is designed to help educators, emergency managers, or anyone interested in learning about weather. Go ahead...take a look!
• Houston's climate normals, means and extremes section now contains record low maximum and record high minimum temperatures for each month of the year.
• Climate data is now available for Pearland's Clover Field.
• The March 2003 climate datum are now available.

Previous Page Update: Sat. March 15, 2003

• We now have daily F-6 climate reports available for individual locations across Southeast Texas. The reports can be found in the first group of links on our Southeast Texas Climate Data page under "Daily Reports (F-6)". The reports are also available on each individual climate page (such as Houston's Intercontinental Airport or College Station) as the link called "Current Monthly Climate Data (F-6)". These daily F-6 climate reports are normally updated daily around 8 AM.

Previous Page Update: Mon. March 2, 2003

• Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 2-8, 2003. SWAW is a wonderful opportunity for residents of the state to get "re-acquainted" with the severe weather hazards that have become such a familiar part of our weather landscape.
• The latest issue of "Storm Signals" is on the streets. This edition features articles about last year's weather, upcoming workshops, a staff spotlight and a peek into operations at the Storm Prediction Center. Previous issues of "Storm Signals" can be found here.
• The February 2003 climate datum are now available.

Previous Page Update: Wed. February 19, 2003

• Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 2-8, 2003.
• Here is an interesting NASA article on one of the things that is being done about the Houston area's air pollution problem.
• New classes have been added to our SKYWARN 2003 schedule. More on our SKYWARN program can be found here.

Previous Page Update: Tue. February 18, 2003

• Spot forecasts can now be requested online. This service is available to state and federal forestry personnel for planning purposes or in support of ongoing wildfires in southeast Texas. This link is usually found on our Fire Weather Page.

Previous Page Update: Sat. February 8, 2003

• Mark your calendars...the 2003 Houston/Galveston Hurricane Workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28th. This year's workshop theme will focus on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Alicia. Some information on the workshop is now available on our Tropical Page under the 2003 Hurricane Season Notes section.
• The moderate strength El Ni�o, which has influenced the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season and U.S. fall and winter weather, appears to be weakening.
• Just another reminder...Severe Weather Awareness Week 2003 will be March 2-8. Stay tuned for details!
• Don't forget to monitor our SKYWARN 2003 schedule. A big thank you goes out to all who attended the two Houston area meetings on January 29th and February 1st. More on our SKYWARN program can be found here.
• Finally, it has been one week since the Space Shuttle Columbia was lost. Here is a link of the Space Shuttle Columbia plume as seen by National Weather Service Doppler Radars. This link comes from the National Weather Service's Southern Region Headquarters. Also, NOAA wind profilers may assist NASA investigators in locating pieces of shuttle debris and trying to figure out the cause of the accident. For more information on Columbia, here is a link to NASA's website.

Previous Page Update: Sat. February 1, 2003

• January 2003 was quiet on the severe weather front with not a single severe storm observed across Southeast Texas. February 2003 could be different. Here are some February severe weather highlights in recent years, including tornadoes, wind, hail and ice storms.
• The third annual National Severe Weather Workshop will be held in Norman, OK, February 27 - March 1.
• Severe Weather Awareness Week 2003 will be March 2-8. More details on this event coming soon.
• Even though January 2003 rainfall was below normal across Southeast Texas, the latest U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook issued by the Climate Prediction Center shows drought conditions not expected to develop across Southeast Texas through April.
• Additional classes have been added to our SKYWARN 2003 schedule. More on our SKYWARN program can be found here.
• The January 2003 climate datum and the January 2003 Climate Summary are now available.

Previous Page Update: Wed. January 29, 2003

• Just a reminder...A SKYWARN class will be held this evening (Wednesday, January 29th) at the Houston Transtar building from 630 PM to 900 PM. This and all other SKYWARN classes (including our next one this Saturday morning, February 1st, in Humble) are free and open to the public.

Previous Page Update: Mon. January 13, 2003

• We've added links to Daily Rainfall Reports in the "Products" section of our Southeast Texas Climate Page. These reports are produced by the West Gulf River Forecast Center every morning and show daily rainfall totals from many area locations for a 24 hour period ending about 7 AM. An example of this product can be found here.

Previous Page Update: Sun. January 12, 2003

• Galveston's 2002 rainfall total of 64.22 inches has made 2002 the sixth wettest year on record!. Houston's (IAH) 2002 total of 59.71 inches was 2.80 inches short of reaching their Top 10 List...and College Station's (CLL) 2002 total of 42.86 inches was 6.49 inches short of reaching their Top 10 List.
• El Nino has reached its "mature stage".

Previous Page Update: Tue. January 7, 2003

• Our 2002 Southeast Texas Climate Summary is now available.
• NOAA has produced a U.S and Global Weather Summary for 2002.
• The December 2002 climate datum are available.
• Several more classes have been added to our SKYWARN 2003 schedule. More on our SKYWARN program can be found here.