What Was New in 2005?

Previous Page Update: Fri. December 23, 2005

• We now have two January and one February class dates set up for SKYWARN 2006. We look forward to seeing those of you who are Skywarn veterans or those of you who would like to attend one of our meetings for the very first time. Also, if you have not scheduled your meeting with us yet, now is the time to do so.
• Hurricane Katrina Tropical Cyclone Report is now available from the National Hurricane Center. Additional 2005 reports can be found here.
• October 2005 Severe Weather Events have been added to our Monthly Severe Weather Reports.

Previous Page Update: Wed. December 14, 2005

• September 2005 Severe Weather Events have been added to our Monthly Severe Weather Reports.

Previous Page Update: Wed. December 7, 2005

• It's not too early to think about the 2006 Hurricane Season...and Dr. Gray's forecast for next year is now available. Boy, does it not look good!

Previous Page Update: Thu. December 1, 2005

• The 2005 Hurricane season officially ended on November 30th. NOAA has a review of the record breaking season. Here are some of the noteworthy records established during this unprecented season.
• Here's the season ending Tropical Weather Summary from TPC/NHC.
• It can't happen again, can it? Another snowy Christmas? See what normally happens across Southeast Texas on Christmas Day. What might we expect on New Years Day?
• The November 2005 climate datum are now available.
• December climate normals, means and extremes are available for Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• The Top Ten wettest, driest, warmest, and coolest Decembers are available for Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• The latest issue of our newsletter, Storm Signals, is now available.

Previous Page Update: Tue. November 29, 2005

• National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Reports for the 2005 season are beginning to trickle in. So far, summaries on Tropical Storm Arlene, Hurricane Dennis and Tropical Storm Gert are available.
• July 2005 and August 2005 Severe Weather Events have been added to our Monthly Severe Weather Reports.

Previous Page Update: Mon. November 21, 2005

• The NWS Fire Weather Services Program is conducting a survey to evaluate user satisfaction and to determine how to better serve its users. Please help us by completing this short Web-based survey. Comments will be collected through December 12th.

Previous Page Update: Thu. November 10, 2005

• The latest issue (Fall 2005) of our newsletter, Storm Signals is now available to peruse...print out...make copies of...pass along to friends and loved ones...

Previous Page Update: Mon. November 7, 2005

• Apologies for the delay with the monthly update. Changes with ops pcs have caused a hiccup in the whole updating process. Hopefully these things have been ironed out and future delays can be avoided. Thanks for your patience.
• Not so fast my friends...the hurricane season is not quite over yet. While we are standing pat at Beta on the list of additional names for 2005...the official end of the season is not until November 30th. Here's a recap of all the tropical activity in October.
• The winter outlook for southeast Texas calls for near normal temperatures and slightly above average precipitation.
• October saw the return of normalacy...for temperatures that is. Southeast Texas stayed on the dry side of things...but we are coming up on the end of our "second" severe weather season.
• Though not technically weather related...here is an interesting story about Antarctic icebergs.
• The next issue of our quarterly newsletter, Storm Signals will be out soon!

Previous Page Update: Sat. October 15, 2005

• The September monthly summary for Galveston has been corrected to account for missing precipitation data when Rita came ashore. Loss of power to the automated site was the cause.

Previous Page Update: Thu. October 6, 2005

• Dr Gray has updated his forecast. Not too many changes from the earlier projections but as the old saying goes..."it's not over 'til it's over".
• Here's an interesting story on the HAZMAT challenges wrought by both Rita and Katrina.

Previous Page Update: Sun. October 1, 2005

• Hurricane Rita was the big story last month. While the Texas coast was spared a direct hit...her effects were felt nonetheless over east and southeast Texas when she finally made landfall. Unfortunately...Louisiana has gotten the double whammy of two major hurricanes this season with Rita and Katrina.
• Rita not withstanding...the busy Atlantic Basin hurricane season continued in September.
• Added some additional information on tide effects along the upper Texas coast in the event of tropical storms to the Tropical Section of the homepage.
• No, it was NOT your imagination. It has been a rather hot and somewhat dry September. Houston, Galveston and College Station all saw their warmest Septembers ever. College Station also recorded its driest ever September on record. So...what do the upcoming months hold in store for us?
• The updated September climate normals, means and extremes are available for Houston, Galveston and College Station.

Previous Page Update: Fri. September 2, 2005

• Hurricane Katrina devastated portions of the central Gulf of Mexico U.S. coast from Southeast Louisiana to Alabama at the end of August and will most likely go down as one of the worst natural disasters in the history of this country. Katrina's deadly track began as she moved across South Florida. Katrina then strengthened into a Category 5 Hurricane while moving northward toward the Central Gulf Coast. Although Katrina weakend before landfall, the Category 4 hurricane's fierce winds and near-record storm surge were still able to cause widespread destruction and loss of life.
• Here is a Hurricane Katrina radar loop of landfall in Southeast Louisiana and a Summary of Hurricane Katrina from the National Climatic Data Center.
• The Miami-South Florida National Weather Service Office has a website summarizing their area's deadly Hurricane Katrina experience.
• Here are some aerial survey photos of regions ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. More images can be found here.
• NOAA has quickly mobilized a wide-range of its resources immediately following Hurricane Katrina�s landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast.
• Here is a link to some Hurricane Katrina Emergency Information.
• Hurricane Katrina has also impacted NOAA marine and radar products.
• A NOAA Hurricane Hunter pilot snapped a series of images capturing the eyewall of Katrina a day before her destructive landfall.
• The Atlantic Basin saw five named storms of which two became hurricanes in August. It's still not too late to check out the National Hurricane Awareness Week website for excellent information that can be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water in case of a tropical threat here in Southeast Texas.
• Dr. Gray has issued his September hurricane forecast update for this season. Bottom line...it looks like our busy 2005 season will continue!
• Did you know that Galveston had it's warmest August ever? The August 2005 Climate Summary is now available.
• September climate normals, means and extremes are available for Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• The Top Ten wettest, driest, warmest, and coolest Septembers are available for Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• The August 2005 climate datum are now available.
• Extremes Data and Annual Summaries (monthly averages for 2003 through August 2005) are available. Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• The latest issue (Summer 2005) of our newsletter, Storm Signals is available to peruse...print out...make copies of...pass along to friends and loved ones...

Previous Page Update: Wed. August 31, 2005

• Here is a link to some Hurricane Katrina Emergency Information.
• Here is a Hurricane Katrina radar loop and a NOAA visible satellite picture of landfall in Southeast Louisiana.
• The Miami-South Florida National Weather Service Office has a website summarizing their Hurricane Katrina experience. Included on their website is a radar loop of Katrina crossing South Florida.
• NOAA has quickly mobilized a wide-range of its resources immediately following Hurricane Katrina�s landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast.
• Hurricane Katrina has also impacted NOAA marine and radar products.

Previous Page Update: Sun. August 14, 2005

• June 2005 Severe Weather Events have been added to our Monthly Severe Weather Reports.

Previous Page Update: Sun. August 7, 2005

• A Current Ozone Levels for SE TX link was added to the Ozone Section of our Miscellaneous Links and Products page.

Previous Page Update: Sat. August 6, 2005

• If you missed it, here is NOAA's 2005 Hurricane Season Forecast...August Update. Dr. Gray has also issued his hurricane forecast updatefor this season. Bottom line...it looks like our busy 2005 season will continue!
• With such an active tropical season, it would be a good idea to familarize yourself with the Southeast Texas potential evacuation routes and the Southeast Texas evacuation corridors. If you haven't already, please check out the National Hurricane Awareness Week website for excellent information that can be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water.
• Our 2005 Hurricane Season Highlights page contains links to the current tropical weather outlook, tropical cyclone definitions, evacuation maps, hurricane brochures and tracking maps. Check it out!
• April 2005 and May 2005 Severe Weather Events have been added to our Monthly Severe Weather Reports.

Previous Page Update: Tue. August 2, 2005

• Here is the August update of NOAA's 2005 Hurricane Season Forecast. We may be in store for one of the most active Atlantic hurricane seasons on record! The new forecast is calling for a season total of 18 to 21 tropical storms, with 9 to 11 becoming hurricanes, and 5 to 7 of these becoming major hurricanes. Twenty-one named storms would take us all the way to the last name on this year's list, Wilma.
• The Atlantic Basin saw a record breaking five tropical cyclones in July. It is still early in the hurricane season and we could still get hit! Are you ready? Check out the National Hurricane Awareness Week website for excellent information that can be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water.
• Our 2005 Hurricane Season Highlights page contains links to the current tropical weather outlook, tropical cyclone definitions, evacuation maps, hurricane brochures and tracking maps. Check it out!
• The July 2005 Climate Summary is now available. Did you know that Galveston had it's 5th warmest July ever?
• Here is the latest U.S. Drought Monitor and the latest Outdoor Texas Burning Bans.
• August climate normals, means and extremes are available for Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• The Top Ten wettest, driest, warmest, and coolest Augusts are available for Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• The July 2005 climate datum are now available.
• Extremes Data and Annual Summaries (monthly averages for 2003 through July 2005) are available. Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• The latest issue (Summer 2005) of our newsletter, Storm Signals is now available to peruse...print out...make copies of...pass along to friends and loved ones...

Previous Page Update: Sat. July 30, 2005

• The latest issue (Summer 2005) of our newsletter, Storm Signals is now available to peruse...print out...make copies of...pass along to friends and loved ones...

Previous Page Update: Fri. July 1, 2005

• Did you know that June 2005 was warm and dry? Houston had it's driest June ever, College Station had it's 10th warmest June ever and Galveston had it's 8th driest and 3rd warmest June ever.
• Here is the latest U.S. Drought Monitor and the latest Outdoor Texas Burning Bans.
• The Atlantic Basin saw two tropical cyclones in June. The weather around here has been dry, so if you have forgotten, it is still very early in the hurricane season and you can still check out the National Hurricane Awareness Week website for excellent information that can be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water. So check it out now - do not wait until the next storm is on our doorstep! Remember...the last hurricane to strike the upper Texas coast was Claudette...a July hurricane just two years ago!
• Our 2005 Hurricane Season Highlights page contains links to the current tropical weather outlook, tropical cyclone definitions, evacuation maps, hurricane brochures and tracking maps. Check it out!
• July climate normals, means and extremes are available for Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• The Top Ten wettest, driest, warmest, and coolest Julys are available for Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• So what weather have we experienced in Southeast Texas on previous Independence Days?
• The June 2005 climate datum are now available.
• Extremes Data and Annual Summaries (monthly averages for 2003 through June 2005) are available. Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.

Previous Page Update: Mon. June 13, 2005

• The first tropical cyclone of the 2005 Atlantic Basin season, Tropical Storm Arlene, reached tropical storm status on Thursday morning, June 9th, in the northest Caribbean Sea. Arlene generally moved to the north and north northwest for the next two days and made landfall Saturday afternoon just west of Pensacola, FL. Arlene never became a hurricane.
• Lightning Safety Awareness Week is June 19-25, 2005. Check out this important website for handouts, indoor and outdoor safety tips, medical facts, history, survivor stories, photos, teacher tools and more.

Previous Page Update: Wed. June 8, 2005

• The first tropical storm of the 2005 Atlantic Basin season has formed in the northwestern Caribbean Sea. Get the latest advisory and forecast information on the right hand side of our Southeast Texas Tropical Weather Information Page, the National Weather Service Southern Region Headquarters Tropical Weather Page or the National Hurricane Center/Tropical Prediction Center.

Previous Page Update: Tue. June 7, 2005

• Rip Current Awareness Week is June 5-11.

Previous Page Update: Sat. June 4, 2005

• The 2005 Hurricane Season began last Wednesday. Here is the first Tropical Weather Outlook of the year which contains this year's storm names.
• We will update our Southeast Texas Tropical Weather Information Page when the season becomes active. Links to all advisories and charts from the National Hurricane Center/Tropical Prediction Center will be available in the upper right hand corner of our Tropical Page. Another excellent location for storm updates can be found at the National Weather Service Southern Region Headquarters Tropical Weather Page.
• NOAA has introduced a new way to follow specific tropical storms or hurricanes. NOAA Storm Tracker will contain live links to advisories, tracking maps and satellite images of a particular storm that is projected to strike the United States or other nations in a storm�s path.
• The National Hurricane Awareness Week website has excellent information that can be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water. So check it out - do not wait until the next storm is on our doorstep!
• Speaking of being safe, it is a very good idea if you familarize yourself with the Southeast Texas Hurricane Evacuation Map to know what route you will have to take when evacuating for our next big one.
• Our 2005 Houston/Galveston Preparedness Meetings page indicates there are a couple more hurricane talks that you can attend.
• If you missed it, here is NOAA's 2005 Hurricane Season Forecast. Dr. Gray has also issued his hurricane forecastfor this season. Bottom line...it looks like a busy season coming up!
• Just another reminder - Lightning Safety Awareness Week is June 19-25, 2005. Check this site for handouts, indoor and outdoor safety tips, medical facts, history, survivor stories, photos, teacher tools and more.
• February 2005 and March 2005 Severe Weather Events have been added to our Monthly Severe Weather Reports.
• Office tours are once again available. To schedule a tour, contact us with the phone number at the bottom of this webpage or email the webmaster.

Previous Page Update: Wed. June 1, 2005

• The 2005 Hurricane Season has begun! NOAA is predicting another above average season. Here is the first Tropical Weather Outlook of the year.
• We would like to thank all of those who attended our 2005 Hurricane Workshop on Thursday, May 26th. This year's theme was "Florida 2004: It can happen in Texas." You can still check out our 2005 Hurricane Season Highlights page for additional hurricane activities scheduled this month.
• Keeping on the hurricane theme, National Hurricane Awareness Week was May 15-21, 2005. 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 - do not wait until the next storm is on our doorstep!
• Dr. Gray has also issued his May 31st forecast update for the 2005 Hurricane Season.
• Lightning Safety Awareness Week is June 19-25, 2005. Check this site for handouts, indoor and outdoor safety tips, medical facts, history, survivor stories, photos, teacher tools and more.
• June climate normals, means and extremes are available for Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• The Top Ten wettest, driest, warmest, and coolest Junes are available for Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• Extremes Data and Annual Summaries (monthly averages for 2003 through May 2005) are available. Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• Office tours are once again available. To schedule a tour, contact us with the phone number at the bottom of this webpage or email the webmaster.

Previous Page Update: Fri. May 27, 2005

• Our 2005 Hurricane Workshop on Thursday, May 26th was a great success! This year's theme was, "Florida 2004: It can happen in Texas." Thank you for everyone who attended this very important meeting. We hope to see you next year.
• Here is a copy (pdf version) of the Brazoria/Galveston/Harris County Hurricane Evacuation Map presented at our Hurricane Workshop.
• Check out our 2005 Hurricane Season Highlights page for additional hurricane activities scheduled this month and in June.
• Keeping on the hurricane theme, National Hurricane Awareness Week is May 15-21, 2005. 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!

Previous Page Update: Tue. May 17, 2005

• Here is NOAA's 2004 Hurricane Season Forecast.
• Don't forget! Our 2005 Hurricane Workshop will be on Thursday, May 26th. This year's theme is, "Florida 2004: It can happen in Texas." Also, check out our 2005 Hurricane Season Highlights page for additional hurricane activities scheduled this month and in June.
• Keeping on the hurricane theme, National Hurricane Awareness Week is May 15-21, 2005. 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!
• Daily Public Information Statements for National Hurricane Awareness Week are being issued, and these statements can also be viewed on our Previous Public Information Statements webpage.
• And finally...the 2005 Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season has begun. Here is the initial Tropical Weather Outlook issued by NHC/TPC. The start of the Atlantic Basin Season is just around the corner.

Previous Page Update: Sat. May 1, 2005

• Mark your calenders! Our 2005 Hurricane Workshop will be on Thursday, May 26th. This year's theme is, "Florida 2004: It can happen in Texas." Also, check out our 2005 Houston/Galveston Preparedness Meetings page for additional hurricane activities on our schedule. June 1st marks the start of the 2005 Hurricane Season.
• Keeping on the hurricane theme, National Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 15-21. 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 April 2005 climate datum are now available.
• January 2005 Severe Weather Events have been added to our Monthly Severe Weather Reports.
• What are the Normals, Means and Extremes for May? Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• What are the Top Tens for May? Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• Extremes Data and Annual Summaries (monthly averages for 2003 through April 2005) are available. Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• The Houston/Galveston National Weather Service Office would like to thank everyone who helped and supported our successful office move last month. We are now operational in our new building (our new address can be found at the bottom of this webpage...our phone numbers have remained the same).
• Due to our office move, no tours are being scheduled until Wednesday, June 1st.

Previous Page Update: Sat. April 16, 2005

• The Houston/Galveston National Weather Service Office relocated April 8-14.

Previous Page Update: Fri. April 8, 2005

• The Houston/Galveston National Weather Service Office will be relocating April 8-14.

Previous Page Update: Thu. April 7, 2005

• Extremes Data and Annual Summaries (monthly averages for 2003 through March 2005) are available. Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.

Previous Page Update: Wed. April 6, 2005

• Dr. Gray and crew have come out with their 2005 Hurricane Season Outlook - April update. Is the Atlantic Basin in for another active year?

Previous Page Update: Tue. April 5, 2005

• The Houston/Galveston National Weather Service Office will be relocating April 8-14.
• Due to our office move, there will be no office tours through Wednesday, June 1st.
• SKYWARN 2005 meetings have come to an end. We thank all who were able to attend a class this year, and we hope to see you and many new faces again next year. Thanks again for a great year!
• The March 2005 climate datum are now available.
• The March 2005 Climate Summary is now available.
• What are the Normals, Means and Extremes for April? Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• What are the Top Tens for April? Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.

Previous Page Update: Tue. March 22, 2005

• NOAA has issued their 2005 Spring Outlook .
• December 2004 Severe Weather Events have been added to our Monthly Severe Weather Reports.

Previous Page Update: Mon. March 21, 2005

• March 21-25 is Flood Safety Awareness Week.
• Here is a preliminary storm summary (LSR) for the severe weather on 3/19 and 3/20.

Previous Page Update: Sun. March 13, 2005

• A warm and sincere thank you to all those who provided feedback concerning the proposed changes in our Coastal Waters Forecast. Results from your comments will be available soon.

Previous Page Update: Tue. March 1, 2005

• Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 6 - 12. As part of this very important week, we have booklets available (in pdf format) for Southeast Texas Severe Weather Awareness Week and a guide to developing a Severe Weather Emergency Plan for Southeast Texas Schools.
• Boaters...can you please help us out? Some changes are being proposed in our Coastal Waters Forecast.
• SKYWARN 2005 is in full swing. We look forward to seeing those of you who are Skywarn veterans or those of you who would like to attend one of our meetings for the very first time. Also, if you have not scheduled your meeting with us yet, now is the time to do so.
• The February 2005 climate datum are now available.
• The February 2005 Climate Summary is now available.
• Extremes Data and Annual Summaries (monthly averages for 2003 through February 2005) are available. Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• What are the Normals, Means and Extremes for March? Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• What are the Top Tens for March? Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• Due to our upcoming office move, there will be no office tours between Monday, March 21st and Wednesday, June 1st.

Previous Page Update: Sat. February 12, 2005

• Severe Weather Awareness Week (March 6 - 12) is less than one month away. Are you prepared?
• The NWS is considering dropping the "Small Craft Should Exercise Caution (SCEC)" terminology that is used in our Coastal Waters Forecast (CWF). Gulf Coast NWS offices and only a few East Coast NWS offices are currently using this terminology. The rest of the country is not. In order to have consistency across the country, we are proposing to let the wind speeds of 15 to 20 knots speak for themselves for this category (not use "Small Craft Should Exercise Caution" headlines). We would eventually like the headlines in the CWF to reflect only Small Craft Advisory (SCA) conditions (winds >/= 20kt and/or seas >/= 7 ft) and above. So what do you think? Email your thoughts to Brian.Kyle@noaa.gov
• October 2004 and November 2004 Severe Weather Events have been added to our Monthly Severe Weather Reports.
• The latest issue (Winter 2004) of our (usually) quarterly newsletter, Storm Signals for all to peruse...print out...make copies of...pass along to friends and loved ones...
• Check out the new experimental radar display for the HGX radar. We encourage your comments or suggestions for improvements. Your feedback will help us determine if modifications are needed.

Previous Page Update: Tue. February 8, 2005

• The latest issue (Winter 2004) of our (usually) quarterly newsletter, Storm Signals for all to peruse...print out...make copies of...pass along to friends and loved ones...
• Check out the new experimental radar display for the HGX radar. We encourage your comments or suggestions for improvements. Your feedback will help us determine if modifications are needed.

Previous Page Update: Sat. February 5, 2005

• We now have some February class dates set up for SKYWARN 2005. We look forward to seeing those of you who are Skywarn veterans or those of you who would like to attend one of our meetings for the very first time. Also, if you have not scheduled your meeting with us yet, now is the time to do so.
• NOAA's NCDC has updated their website that lists U.S. billion dollar weather disasters.
• The January 2005 Climate Summary is now available.
• The January 2005 climate datum are now available.
• Extremes Data and Annual Summaries (monthly averages for 2003 through January 2005) are available. Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• What are the Normals, Means and Extremes for February? Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• What are the Top Tens for February? Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.

Previous Page Update: Mon. January 17, 2005

• Additional February and March SKYWARN classes have been finalized. To see if a class is coming close to you, check out our latest SKYWARN 2005 schedule.

Previous Page Update: Thu. January 6, 2005

• Parts of southeast Texas saw their first ever white Christmas last month. We are still interested in obtaining any nice photos; please drop us a line. We'd love to see them (and maybe feature them on our homepage).
• The December 2004 Climate Summary is now available.

Previous Page Update: Sat. January 1, 2005

• Find out what NOAA did in association with last month's disasterous Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has some more details on this megathrust earthquake.
• NOAA reports a record number of tornadoes in 2004.
• We now have some class dates set up for our SKYWARN 2005 season. We look forward to seeing those of you who are Skywarn veterans or those of you who would like to attend one of our meetings for the very first time. Also, if you have not scheduled your meeting with us yet, now is the time to do so.
• The Tropical Prediction Center is considering modifying their Tropical Storm Track and Watch/Warning Graphics for the 2005 Hurricane Season. Here is your chance to express your opinion.
• The Tropical Prediction Center has completed all of their Preliminary Reports for the active 2004 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
• The December 2004 Climate Summary is now available. December 2004 was drier than normal with near normal temperatures...and it snowed!!!.
• The December 2004 climate datum are now available.
• NOAA also provides a wrap-up on the very active 2004 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
• Extremes Data and Annual Summaries (monthly averages for 2003 and 2004) are available. Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• What are the Normals, Means and Extremes for January? Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• What are the Top Tens for January? Find out... Houston, Galveston and College Station.
• The latest issue of our (usually) quarterly newsletter, Storm Signals for all to peruse...print out...make copies of...pass along to friends and loved ones...