SPACE CITY 8AM UPDATE
Beryl tracking toward Matagorda, center likely to pass near west side of Houston: Serious impacts expected
July 7, 2024 at 7:42 am by Eric Berger
In brief:
*We are now less than 24 hours before Beryl will make landfall in Texas, likely near Matagorda, which is located about 90 miles south-southwest of Houston.
*Along this track the greater Houston area, particularly the western half of the metro area, will see significant effects in the form of strong, battering winds in addition to heavy rainfall.
This post will assess all of these threats, and their timing.
Tropical Storm Beryl status
*As of 7 am CT, Tropical Storm Beryl still has sustained winds of 60 mph. Its central pressure is largely unchanged overnight, dropping only slightly from 993 to 992 millibars.
*This indicates that Beryl has yet to begin the process of significantly intensifying.
*The storm is almost due south of Galveston Island, and is moving to the northwest at 12 mph.
*It is good that Beryl has not changed much overnight, but forecasters still expect the storm to find favorable conditions for intensification during the next 18 to 24 hours before it makes a final landfall along the Texas coast.
TRACK OF BERYL AND ITS INTENSITY
*The trends in the overnight model runs for Beryl have not been great for the Houston metro area.
*The most likely track remains a landfall near Matagorda, but this could still change today with a wobble in one direction or another as a better defined center of circulation forms.
*Along this track the Houston region will be subjected to some of the strongest winds and heaviest rains from Beryl.
*Forecasters still expect Beryl to intensify today, given the lowering wind shear levels and ample moisture in the atmosphere.
*The National Hurricane Center predicts the storm will be a Category 1 hurricane with 85 mph winds at landfall early on Monday morning.
*This could be an overestimate if Beryl continues to struggle with getting organized today - However, the most likely scenario is strengthening today, with the potential for rapid intensification tonight.
*Expect a Category 1 or Category 2 hurricane at landfall.
CONDITIONS ON SUNDAY PRIOR TO LANDFALL
*Beginning later this morning, Houston may see fairly widespread showers and thunderstorms as the outer rainbands of Beryl move inland.
*These storms may be briefly intense, but should be navigable for the most part.
*Winds will be increasing today and this evening from the southeast, but still within manageable levels, with gusts in the 20s.
*For coastal areas, conditions will start to deteriorate after sunset, with inland areas, including the city of Houston, seeing markedly stronger winds by late evening and after midnight.
BERYL'S WINDS
*Beryl will produce strong winds near its center and to its right.
*Although there are still likely to be some subtle changes in the storm's track and location of its is strongest winds, it is now clear that strong winds will cause significant impacts for the greater Houston area, including the potential for widespread power outages.
*The extent of these outages will depend on the strengthening of Beryl today and tonight as it nears the Texas coast. Other concerns include downed trees and damaged roofs.
*It is strongly advisable to secure loose objects today, prior to Beryl's landfall.
*The greatest impacts are likely to be in locations such as Sargent, Freeport, and Lake Jackson. However, tropical storm-force winds are also likely along Galveston Island and large parts of the Houston metro area, particularly to the south and west of the city.
*Matagorda, Wharton, Fort Bend, and Brazoria counties are likely to see the strongest winds, with sustained winds of 45 to 75 mph, and higher gusts.
*Most of the rest of the Houston metro area is at risk for winds of 35 to 55 mph, with higher gusts.
*These winds will peak between late Sunday night and sunrise for coastal areas, and a little bit later for inland areas.
*Winds will be receding area-wide by Monday afternoon.
INLAND RAINFALL POTENTIAL
*Beryl's track also places the core of its heavier rains over the Houston metro area.
*Coastal areas are likely at the highest risk for heavy rainfall, with 5 to 10 inches likely from Matagorda Bay to Galveston Island, and higher isolated totals.
*Further inland, much of the Houston area can probably expect 4 to 8 inches, with higher isolated totals.
*Since this rainfall will come down rapidly, we can expect streets to rapidly flood.
Rain pic
*Although stronger thunderstorms will be possible this evening, the most intense rainfall should occur between midnight tonight and noon on Monday.
*After this time the storm will be pulling away to the north of the city.
*I cannot rule out an additional trailing band of rainfall later on Monday or Monday night.
*However, the fairly rapid northward movement of Beryl after landfall is our friend.
*We have issued a Stage 2 flood alert for the entire Houston metro area.
HOW SHOULD YOU BE THINKING ABOUT THIS
Beryl will be an impactful storm for the Houston region.
*This is far from a worst-case scenario hurricane for our area, but it will be significantly disruptive tonight and on Monday.
*Beginning this evening, you should shelter in your home. The worst of the winds and rains will come tonight and into Monday morning, with improving conditions thereafter.
*Due to the likelihood of street flooding on Monday morning, you should carefully consider any plans before noon.
*The current track forecast indicates the possibility of widespread power outages, and the duration of these outages will depend on how many people lose power as it will mean more work for restoration crews.
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In terms of programming, I will be conducting a video Q&A on our Facebook page at 1 pm CT today. You can submit questions in the comments below for that chat, if you like.
Dwight will also have a post today about maximizing the potential of weather data on your phone to understand local conditions during the height of the storm.
Our next major update on Beryl's track and its implications for Houston will come around 4:30 pm CT today.